On March 12, 2011, Slow Food Boricua ( SFB) began several fundraising events; to assist one young Eco-friendly person from Puerto Rico, to visit Italy and participant in a international organic food movement; called Terra Madre 2012 ( www.terramadre.info ). We are proud to announce, Antonio Rullan is the winner!!!! Antonio is a 22 year old agricultural student, youth counselor and part-owner of a enterprising Moringa tree company. Antonio will visit Turin, Italy from Oct. 24 -30 2012, and observe Terra Marde. Slow Food Boricua wants to warmly thank all the donors for supporting Antonio with his dreams. Antonio will be joined in Italy along with Fernando Samalot, Maria Alvarado and Elena Biamon. These three were selected by Slow Food International as delegates, representing Puerto Rico.
Mr. Rullan resides in Puerto Rico, but also lived in Spain, Virginia and Massachusetts. He studied High School at the Academia del Perpetuo Socorro, then Boston University and Universidad de Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras ( now Utuado ). He initially studied Mechanical Engineering, shortly thereafter; theatre performance, and now his true passion... agriculture. Antonio and his business partners began their farm project, three years ago. In 2011, they increase their Moringa tree production. Ideally, they prefer customers to purchase a Moringa tree so they can enjoy the beauty and wonder of this tree, also this way they can elevate the mature Moringa tree population in Puerto Rico. However if a customer has limited land space; they'll sell the dehydrated leaves mixed with Ginger... to form a magical tea infusion. This mixture has a wealth of nutritional and prophylactic uses. Their project has become educational, since the majority of their customers are not familiar with the beneficial use of Moringa.
Mr. Rullan was selected because of his ambition, sincerity, and passion; also in his application, Antonio clearly expressed his vision for Puerto Rico's agricultural future.
A BRIEF CONVERSATION WITH ANTONIO RULLAN:
(SFB) Describe how personally you have empowered the communities and citizens of Puerto Rico, involved with the green organic environmental movement.
(Antonio) In 2009, I first learned of the Miraculous nutritional capabilities of Moringa Oleifera, or Ben tree. Surrounded by the incomprehensible 90%
agricultural
import on our fertile, tropical island, I felt compelled to help our
community thrive in the case of scarcity. By focusing our approach to
sell the germinated tree, in conjunction with dehydrated tea, we try to
maximize the number of mature Moringa trees in households, aspiring to
imitate our sister island Santo Domingo, where "Libertad" as they name
Moringa, is in every backyard. Since the vast majority of people in
Puerto Rico never have heard of Moringa, our Market approach is one of
education. We simply ask costumers, as they pass by, if they have heard
of Moringa, if they say no, then we teach them. We feel satisfaction in
our goal solely with the knowledge of Moringa being spread before our
own commercial interests.
(SFB) Describe how attending the Terra Madre 2012 event in Italy, will uplift the citizens of Puerto Rico.
(Antonio) Living on an island has tremendous benefits but some disadvantages, one being a geographical separation from the greater masses of the Earth. Although private interests flourish here and are instantly transmitted through media, smaller, grassroots movement, are harder to come by. If people train outside of Puerto Rico they generally work outside as well. Personally I feel a deep connection with helping to build a movement here on the island with the knowledge from our brothers and sisters across oceans. I feel an incredible potential with Puerto Rico, all the dry wood is there, we just need a spark to illuminate our tremendous island. Conferences like Terra Madre create such important network connections so necessary for a segregated island.
(SFB) Describe how your future organic projects will educate the communities of Puerto Rico.
(Antonio)Through the use of Moringa, people in Puerto Rico can become empowered with their own production of: Nutritional Supplements/Medicine for themselves, their animals and plants, an easy, efficient and cheap water purification option, fencing materials, rhizome/ tubers, and if they're ambitious, oil and Bio diesel. In addition to our Moringa project, we dream of expanding on to Neem and Alelí and Albahaca Santa. Our dream is to help forge a more locally empowered society, as we are so dependent on foreign allowance which is many cases is a very poisonous and wasteful source of sustenance. Even if it's in little measures, like cloth production with Gandhi, a non-violent source of empowerment can shake Leviathans.
(SFB) Describe how attending the Terra Madre 2012 event in Italy, will uplift the citizens of Puerto Rico.
(Antonio) Living on an island has tremendous benefits but some disadvantages, one being a geographical separation from the greater masses of the Earth. Although private interests flourish here and are instantly transmitted through media, smaller, grassroots movement, are harder to come by. If people train outside of Puerto Rico they generally work outside as well. Personally I feel a deep connection with helping to build a movement here on the island with the knowledge from our brothers and sisters across oceans. I feel an incredible potential with Puerto Rico, all the dry wood is there, we just need a spark to illuminate our tremendous island. Conferences like Terra Madre create such important network connections so necessary for a segregated island.
(SFB) Describe how your future organic projects will educate the communities of Puerto Rico.
(Antonio)Through the use of Moringa, people in Puerto Rico can become empowered with their own production of: Nutritional Supplements/Medicine for themselves, their animals and plants, an easy, efficient and cheap water purification option, fencing materials, rhizome/ tubers, and if they're ambitious, oil and Bio diesel. In addition to our Moringa project, we dream of expanding on to Neem and Alelí and Albahaca Santa. Our dream is to help forge a more locally empowered society, as we are so dependent on foreign allowance which is many cases is a very poisonous and wasteful source of sustenance. Even if it's in little measures, like cloth production with Gandhi, a non-violent source of empowerment can shake Leviathans.
Thank you,
Elizama Montalvo
1. INTRODUCTION. By entering this Contest, entrants agree to abide by all terms of these Official Contest Rules and the decisions of Slow Food Boricua (“Contest Administrator”) and Sponsor(s), whose decisions shall be final and binding. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
2. ELIGIBILITY. Contest is open only to individuals who are 18 – 25 years of age at the time of entry (unless otherwise stated). The Contest is open to residents of Puerto Rico; involved in the organic agriculture movement, alternative progressive chef, and green environmentalist. Other residents are not eligible to participate. By entering this Contest, entrants agree to waive any and all claims against Contest Entities for personal injury, damage or loss of any kind which may result from participation in the Contest or from the receipt, enjoyment, ownership or use of any prize.
3. HOW TO ENTER. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter, log on at http://slowfoodboricua.blogsot.com. Submit to slowfoodboricua@gmail.com. (1) In 100 words, describe how you personally have empowered the communities and citizens of Puerto Rico, involved with the green organic environmental movement. (2) In 100 words, describe how attending the Terra Madre 2012 event in Italy, will uplift the citizens of Puerto Rico. (3) In 100 words, describe how your future organic projects will educate the communities of Puerto Rico. (4) submit copy of current passport (5) A letter of recommendations from three leaders in the Green movement (6) must be a current member of any of the three different Slow Food Convivium in Puerto Rico. One entry per person. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Entries generated by script, macro, bot, or other automated means will be disqualified. Any entry information collected from the Contest shall be used only in a manner consistent with the consent given by entrants at the time of entry. All entries become property of Sponsor and Contest Administrator. If no suitable candidates are found for this contest, Slow Food Boricua will donate the prize to several Slow Food…adopt a projects.
4. PRIZES. For single prize contests: One (1) Prize winner will receive a round trip airline ticket to Italy, for the Slow Food Terra Madre 2012 event. (2) One year basic membership from Slow Food International. (3) For several days the winner will be an observer of the Slow Food Terra Madre 2012 event. The observer in Terra Madre is allowed to attend all workshops and meetings of Terra Madre including the opening ceremonies, but the ultimate decision about what the observer, will be allow to do is up to Slow Food International (4) The winner will be provided with finical transportation and rooming previsions in Torino, Italy. The winner is responsible for their meals throughout the duration of their trip. No transfer, substitution, or cash equivalent for Prizes except at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a Prize of equal or greater value if a Prize cannot be awarded as described for any reason. Limit: One Prize per person/family/household. Any Prize Winner shall sometimes be referred to hereinafter as the “Winner.” No transfer, substitution or cash alternative permitted, except by Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winning entry will be deemed submitted by the e-mail account holder associated with such entry, as solely determined by Sponsor. Installation, insurance, registration, taxes, and any fees or costs associated with the prizes are the sole responsibility of the Winner. Prize is awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied. Winner agrees to take full responsibility throughout the duration of their trip.
5. DRAWING AND NOTIFICATION. Deadline for contest is July 1, 2012. Winner will be selected by a committee of members from Slow Food Boricua, whose decisions will be final. Winner will be notified by e-mail and/or by phone, 5 days after the Slow Food International announcement of the Puerto Rico delegates for Terra Madre 2012. If Sponsor or its designee is unable to contact potential Winner by e-mail or phone (using the contact information provided at the time of entry) and/or if the potential Winner fails to respond to notification within five (5) business days of issuance, the potential Winner will be disqualified and forfeit his or her right to a prize, and an alternate Winner will be selected.
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ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THESE OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES OR THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ENTRANTS OR CONTEST ENTITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CONTEST SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF PUERTO RICO WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION'S LAWS. THE INVALIDITY OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY PROVISION OF THESE RULES SHALL NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY OTHER PROVISION. IN THE EVENT THAT ANY PROVISION IS DETERMINED TO BE INVALID OR OTHERWISE UNENFORCEABLE OR ILLEGAL, THESE RULES SHALL OTHERWISE REMAIN IN EFFECT AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR TERMS AS IF THE INVALID OR ILLEGAL PROVISION WERE NOT CONTAINED HEREIN. EACH PERSON WHO PARTICIPATES IN THIS CONTEST AGREES THAT PUERTO RICO SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER ANY SUIT OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THESE OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES OR THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ENTRANTS OR CONTEST ENTITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CONTEST AND EACH HEREBY WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT IS NOT SUBJECT PERSONALLY TO THE JURISDICTION OF SAID COURTS OR THAT ANY SUCH SUIT OR OTHER PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM OR IMPROPER VENUE.
9. OFFICIAL RULES AND WINNERS LIST. For an additional copy of these Rules or the names of the Winners, send an email to slowfoodboricua@gmail.com.com. Requests received more than thirty (30) days after the last day to submit entries will not be honored.
10. SPONSORS. Slow Food International, will provide the winner with (1) observer ticket for the Terra Madre 2012 event.
11. CONTEST ADMINISTRATOR. Slow Food Boricua Puerto Rico
CONTEST VOID WHERE PROHIBITED