From visiting coffee farms like Doka and Life Monteverde, I’ve developed a much deeper appreciation for what goes into growing coffee. The process is far from simple, fast, and easy. It takes around 4 years before a coffee tree is productive, and it must be moved around multiple pots before even reaching the field. Harvesting…
Tag: Anaya Espadas
Cooperative: Equal Opportunity for All Farmers
We’ve had the opportunity to tour several coffee companies throughout our time in Costa Rica, each with its own individual mission or values that sets it apart. Today, we toured Coope Dota and its Cafe Privilegios, both of which are centered on bettering the surrounding community. Coope Dota is a cooperative, thus allowing smaller farmers…
Coffee Research at ICAFE
At ICAFE, research and development is done to find coffee of the best quality, resistance, and yield as they have the financial resources unlike most Tico farmers. About 92% of them are small farmers with 5-10 hectares, so ICAFE’s research helps them to get the most out of their land and crop. An example of…
Foreign Influence in Monteverde
The collective work of Quakers and local Ticos in Monteverde has benefited the community overall, as they have built the town into a huge ecotourism attraction. People from all over the world come to see the Cloud Forest, which brings economic success and stability to the community. Tourists leave with a greater understanding of sustainability, and…
Sustainable Life in Monteverde
After visiting Life Monteverde today and speaking with Don Guillermo, I’ve learned that life for a Tico farmer incorporates sustainability in everything they do. The way they eat, power their homes and run their business is all interdependent, as they reuse everything for another purpose. For example, methane from pig and goat waste is burned…
A Change in Scenery
Throughout our 3 hour drive from Heredia to Monteverde, I noticed a drastic change in scenery. Heredia is certainly more urban, with closely-packed homes and stores, more people walking about, and significant vehicle traffic. As we left the Central Valley for the mountains, I noticed that the urban landscape transitioned to a suburban landscape, and…
Un Día en San Jose
The coffee and banana industry have brought wealth and recognition to Costa Rica, as a significant portion of their exports are these two commodities. This wealth can be seen in the various buildings around San Jose, ranging from the libraries and museums to the government establishments. Because the people had a significant source of income,…
Café Para Todos
After touring both Doka and Café Britt, I am able to see some clear differences in the way each company makes their product and their position within the supply chain. It seems that these differences correlate with each company’s primary customers as well. For example, Café Britt is very popular with tourists, and Ticos tend…
The “Why’s” of the Costa Rican Economy
Today, we had the honor to attend a lecture from Dr. Juan Diego Sánchez Sánchez on Costa Rican legal and economic analysis. After learning some economic basics, we began to learn about the development of the Costa Rican economy from the 70’s up until now, and the influence of culture within the economy. After getting…
Mi Primer Día en Costa Rica
Prior to coming to Costa Rica, I honestly had no idea what to expect. I’ve never been to any country in Central or South America, but I had learned about some South American cultures throughout my time learning Spanish in high school. However, learning culture from a book doesn’t compare in the slightest to learning…
Sustainability in Costa Rica
Hi, my name is Anaya Espadas and I am rising sophomore majoring in environmental engineering. I also plan on getting a Sustainability certificate, so I am beyond excited to embark on this trip to Costa Rica and learn first-hand about the country’s environmental initiatives. Coffee is something I have to come appreciate and rely on…