This morning, we checked out of our rooms in Monteverde (which I’ll definitely miss) and headed to Life Monteverde – a coffee farm dedicated to sustainability and education. This has been one of my favorite tours so far. Not only did we walk through the farm and learn about its practices, but we also got to participate hands-on by bagging soil, feeding goats using a bike powered system, planting a row of maize, and finished off tasting different coffee. The best part though, might have been getting to hold a 3 day old baby goat.
At Life Monteverde, I gained a deeper appreciation for the lifestyle of a Tico farmer. Their lives are rooted in the land and decisions are guided by environmental awareness. Our tour guide was very passionate about her work and knowledgable. Each and every little detail, down to the composition of the fertilizer and fungicide sprayed on the plants, is carefully considered and repetitively researched. What brings joy to many farmers is knowing they are not only growing a product, but also protecting the environment and educating others along the way.
Modern life and environmental changes have put even more pressure on farmers. Unusual weather patterns—like unexpected rain during the dry season—have made coffee plants more vulnerable to fungi, including red rust. Farmers have had to prune coffee trees to their base, completely altering their output for the season. During Covid, tourism in Monteverde collapsed, hitting the local economy hard. But Life Monteverde responded by planting more coffee, launching online sales and virtual tours, and collaborating with competitors to form a coffee alliance. Together, they raised $225,000 for their community, showing just how powerful unity can be in times of crisis.
Engineering and sustainability go hand in hand at Life Monteverde. The farm uses intercropping to attract birds (which help with pest control), shade-grown coffee to reduce erosion, and homemade organic fertilizers and sprays to nourish their crops. Their use of observation-based techniques—like spraying natural fungicide only when needed—and testing new soil treatments in an experimental field shows how innovation doesn’t have to be high-tech to be effective. Even the bike-powered machine we used to chop food for goats was a perfect example of simple engineering making a meaningful impact.
Visiting Life Monteverde was a powerful reminder of what it means to live with purpose and intention. From the sustainable farming techniques to the hands-on learning and collaborarion, everything reflected a deep connection between people, the land, and the future they’re working toward. What stood out most was the sense of community woven into every part of the farm. Whether they’re partnering with other growers, supporting seasonal workers, or welcoming students like us, Life Monteverde shows that meaningful progress is rooted in people coming together.