House Agriculture Committee backs S.206 education push for home, school and community gardens; agency urges coordination and funding clarity
September 20, 2025 | House of Representatives, House, Committees, Legislative, Puerto Rico
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During the Sept. 19 session of the House Agriculture Committee, officials from the Department of Agriculture reviewed Senate Project S.206, which aims to promote dissemination of information about urban, family, community and school gardens.
Irvin Rodríguez Torres and other agency witnesses told the committee they support the bill's educational goals but said the measure should explicitly coordinate with existing actors to avoid duplication and to secure sustainable funding. The testimony noted existing programs and institutions that already carry out gardening education, including the Cooperative Extension at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayag fcez, municipal extension efforts and FIDA (Fondo de Innovaci f3n para el Desarrollo Agr edcola).
Agency officials said many public‑school agriculture programs and school gardens lack basic inputs such as seeds and ongoing support. The department recommended the bill include mechanisms for continuity (maintenance, teacher support, seed and tool provision) rather than one‑off promotional campaigns. Officials suggested partnerships with the Department of Education, universities, FIDA and community groups, and recommended using existing funds from FIDA for education and capacity building when possible.
The committee discussed whether broadcast outreach (television) or direct investment in school infrastructure and teacher support would be more effective. Committee members and agency witnesses emphasized follow‑up and continuity: several participants said projects lose value when initial installation is not followed by maintenance and training.
Representative (presiding) closed the hearing segment on S.206 and thanked agency witnesses. The committee indicated support in principle for S.206, subject to clarifying funding sources and formalizing partnerships with extension services and education authorities.
Ending: The committee ended its agenda after S.206, asking the Department of Agriculture to work with education and university partners to refine program design and funding options for the proposed gardening information initiative.
Irvin Rodríguez Torres and other agency witnesses told the committee they support the bill's educational goals but said the measure should explicitly coordinate with existing actors to avoid duplication and to secure sustainable funding. The testimony noted existing programs and institutions that already carry out gardening education, including the Cooperative Extension at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayag fcez, municipal extension efforts and FIDA (Fondo de Innovaci f3n para el Desarrollo Agr edcola).
Agency officials said many public‑school agriculture programs and school gardens lack basic inputs such as seeds and ongoing support. The department recommended the bill include mechanisms for continuity (maintenance, teacher support, seed and tool provision) rather than one‑off promotional campaigns. Officials suggested partnerships with the Department of Education, universities, FIDA and community groups, and recommended using existing funds from FIDA for education and capacity building when possible.
The committee discussed whether broadcast outreach (television) or direct investment in school infrastructure and teacher support would be more effective. Committee members and agency witnesses emphasized follow‑up and continuity: several participants said projects lose value when initial installation is not followed by maintenance and training.
Representative (presiding) closed the hearing segment on S.206 and thanked agency witnesses. The committee indicated support in principle for S.206, subject to clarifying funding sources and formalizing partnerships with extension services and education authorities.
Ending: The committee ended its agenda after S.206, asking the Department of Agriculture to work with education and university partners to refine program design and funding options for the proposed gardening information initiative.
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