We wrapped up our time in Monteverde today with one of my favorite visits so far., Life Monteverde. We heard from the owner, Don Guillermo, about the Tico farmer lifestyle. The way that Ticos run their farms is very different from what I have seen in the United States. Specifically, Don Guillermo’s farm is much smaller and because of this definitely has a more personal touch than a typical large company farm. While this smaller environment certainly has it’s benefits, such as easier upkeep and better control of the resources, there are also many challenges that arise.

 Tico farmers believe in the importance of sustainability and prioritize that over productivity, which is really not common in any business. While this is respectable, it does leave them at a disadvantage economically compared to farms that simply do not care about the long term effects of their actions on the earth.

However, Ticos do not focus on the economics of their work, and are more concerned about preserving the nature that they are using for their farms. As Don Guillermo said, it is less about  Tico farmers believe in the importance of sustainability and prioritize that over productivity, which is really not common in any business. While this is respectable, it does leave them at a disadvantage economically compared to farms that simply do not care about the long term effects of their actions on the earth. For example, while spraying weeds with herbicide is both faster and cheaper, but cutting the weeds manually is more beneficial for the soil in the long run.

This is truly what makes Ticos happy, knowing that they are leaving a positive mark on the earth and that is something that we should all admire and strive for. Considering this, if I were the child of a Tico farmer, I would dedicate my life to educating others about the purpose of preserving our earth through our daily actions, similar to what Don Guillermo does, as he is someone who I have truly come to admire.