Our trip to the strawberry farm ended up being a great way to start the trip. From the moment we arrived, it was clear how intentionally the farmers work with the environment. They plant smaller fruit bushes around the edges of the fields so birds go for those instead of the strawberries. It’s a simple method that lets them avoid chemicals while still protecting the crop. I also learned how delicate strawberries really are. They’re technically flowers, and their skin is so thin that they absorb whatever is around them almost immediately. That sensitivity is exactly why the farm doesn’t use pesticides; the fruit would take them in right away. Seeing how careful the farmers were made me realize how little we think about these things back home, where strawberries just show up in plastic containers without any context.

One of the most unexpected parts of the visit was something they called “duck therapy.” It wasn’t a farming technique at all; it was for people. The ducks have incredibly smooth bills, and when they eat out of your hand, the sensation is surprisingly calming. It added this small, human moment to the day that I didn’t expect. The greenhouse design was another interesting challenge. The farm sits in the valley between two volcanoes, which creates a strong wind‑tunnel effect. Instead of warming the area, the accelerated winds actually make it difficult to keep the greenhouse warm. The farmers adapted by raising part of the roof so that when the wind passes over it, warm air circulates and stays inside. It’s a clever solution that turns a geographical problem into an advantage.

On the drive back, something else stood out even more than the farming techniques. As the sun set over the Central Valley, people all along the road stopped what they were doing, drivers pulled over, workers stepped outside, and everyone just watched the sky. It wasn’t rushed or dramatic; it was simply appreciation. In the United States, people rarely pause to take in something as simple as a sunset. Here, it felt natural. It showed how deeply Costa Ricans value their environment, not just in their farming practices but in their everyday lives. Even without the coffee tour, this first day set the tone. The farm, the landscape, and the small cultural moments all showed how sustainability here isn’t just a concept. It’s a mindset, lived out in ways big and small.