Today we said goodbye to Monteverde, but not before stopping at an amazing sustainable farm, Life Monteverde. We saw a different way of living than any of us are accustomed to and learned some valuable lessons. There was definitely a dichotomy presented at the farm today, one where the farmers lived both serious and devoted, but fun-loving and light-hearted lives.
The tour guide showed us various types of animals, greenhouses, gardens, and then coffee plantations. As he lead us through, he asked many thought-provoking questions and tested our Spanish vocabulary. We learned many environmental concepts such as maintaining a balanced ecosystem even on a farm. Notably, Don Guillermo made us give him 10 good reasons why not to cut down their famed guayaba tree we had all climbed. After talking about why the tree was good for tourism, the water table, microorganisms, habitat for other animals and insects, and provided shade for the plants, he told us all of it was true and ultimately it is worth more money to not cut down. Then he said, “But if you asked a child why they should not cut down the tree, they would just say because it is beautiful.” This made me reflect on what I find important in my life and what would be the simple, innocent analysis of a child.
These farmers face many challenges in the modern world: industrialization, climate change, and their children not following the farming tradition. However, the attitude and message were one of hope and joy and not one of doom and gloom. The farmers use many ingenious environmental concepts to ensure their farm is of Low Impact For Earth (LIFE). Bio-fertilizers are being produced, the land is being conserved during its cultivation, and in many places, the farm is trying to reverse adverse effects from past decisions such as invasive species.
Lastly, it is important to note a source of joy in the lives of these farmers: community. For Life Monteverde, everything is about community. From community initiatives to being owned by many different families, these farmers’ goal is to bring people together and face challenges as a united front. One way in which we were privileged to be a part of this was to help a local school by repainting some of their classrooms. The extensions for our paint rollers were coffee plant sticks and we just spend time listening to music and painting, partaking in the community.
If I was the child of one of these farmers, I’m not sure what I would do. In many ways, I am already leaving behind the footsteps of my parents to forge a new path. However, whatever I would choose to do, I would hope to promote the same concepts of sustainability and community that were imparted at Life Monteverde.
