By ISABELLA RODRIGUEZ
Saludos! My name is Isabella Rodriguez, a Health Science major interested in joining the Sonography program. I also love being actively involved in my community, and this field gives me the chance to give back in a meaningful way. I chose STCC because of its excellent healthcare programs and strong student support services. For me, helping others is incredibly fulfilling. It opens doors to new experiences, allows me to meet inspiring people, and gives me the chance to make the world a better place. Honestly, what’s not to love about that?
Last week, a team of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members had the privilege of volunteering at Nuestras Raíces (meaning ‘our roots’ in Spanish) Farm in Holyoke. I love that one of the hallmarks of PTK is service to community. Our volunteer work included picking tomatoes and tidying the planting beds. I was fascinated that this unique urban farm was a nature sanctuary where roots run deep, not just in soil, but in community and culture. It was founded in 1992 by Puerto Rican immigrant farmers with a powerful vision to transform an abandoned lot into a productive farm. This beautiful farm is 30 acres by the Connecticut river, and rents farming plots to local farmers.
We had the honor of meeting Farmer Ángel Ramos (pictured above with me), who despite his hip surgery, continues to cultivate the land with his wife. He grows cultural foods that are not readily accessible in Western Mass. He shared how he continues traditional Puerto Rican farming methods that are fading in his homeland! Examples include planting crops like calabaza, corn, and beans together to support each other naturally. Watching Ángel work, I realized how composting, companion planting, and crop rotation are not just farming techniques, they are ways to care for the land, honor tradition, and still produce a bountiful harvest for the community. He generously offered us the chance to harvest fresh, crispy kale from his land. His words resonated deeply, reminding me of my own family’s stories of los campos and jíbaros- tales of hard work, community, and connection to the land.
Sasha Adams, the farm coordinator, explained that sustainable practices are central to La Finca’s operations and mission. She showed us a greenhouse project developed with Engineers Without Borders, where seedlings like recao (cilantro) are grown during winter. Large, insulated tanks capture methane from decomposed organic materials, which are then used to heat water tubes under the seedling tables demonstrating an innovative use of renewable energy to grow food sustainably. Nuestra Raíces is more than a farm; it is a testament to the power of community, culture, and resilience. For many, it has transformed lives by providing not just food, but a sense of belonging and purpose. This experience reminded me that service, culture, and sustainability must go hand in hand, and it inspires me to bring that same care and dedication into my future career in sonography.
