Aji Dulce from Puerto Rico grown in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Puerto Rico is comprised of the main island, plus two smaller islands (Vieques and Culebra), and numerous smaller islets. Puerto Rico's economy is highly integrated with the mainland of the United States. The population of Puerto Rico is approximately 4 million with another 4 million living in the continental United States. A large percentage of Puerto Ricans in the US are living in the Northeastern United States. Puerto Ricans are the largest Latino ethnicity living in Massachusetts.

Frank Mangan’s program has introduced several crops to commercial farmers popular among Puerto Ricans, including Calabaza, ají dulce, and verdolaga.

Puerto Rico is and unincorporated territory of the United States and as such has a land-grant university: University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez.

Frank Mangan has collaborated with researchers at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez on projects involving Calabaza and culantro.

One advantage for UMass students going to Puerto Rico is that English is more commonly spoken by faculty and students than other countries in the Latin America.