If you’re looking for a way to give back, and see how your consumer choices impact farmers, EarthWatch Institute is offering a unique opportunity in Costa Rica. Sign up to join them for an 8 day trip to work beside local farmers at Coope Tarrazu and help them create better coffee farms that help the environment and surrounding communities.
Coope Tarrazu is located in a small town, San Marcos de Tarrazu, and is currently the largest employer in the area with about 2,600 members, 20% of whom are women. The families and farmers in this community have been growing coffee for generations, and this is an exciting opportunity to work side by side with them. While there, you’ll work with researchers as well to help collect data to represent soil conditions, shade tree coverage, erosion, resistance to pests, plant yield, and much more. You will also have an opportunity to use GIS technology to map the biodiversity in the region in order to help determine the farm’s sustainability. This date will then be shared with the co-op. Your help and research will not be just limited to this farm, however. You will actually have an opportunity to visit and interact with other small farms, as well as visit a local coffee processing plant and participate in an official coffee cupping.
During your trip, you will have accommodations at the Cabinas de Cecilia inside the town of Santa Maria. Various restaurants, shops, and an internet cafe are located within the town. The cabins in which you’ll stay have a rustic charm and standard accomodations: bed, toilet, sink. There is also a common area for all guests to enjoy, and breakfast is served on-site. Laundry services are available for an additional fee. The minimum contribution required to participate on this trip is $1,875.
If you’re looking for a way to give back to our international community, this is a great way to do it. Not only will you meet wonderful farmers, their families, and other volunteers, but you have the chance to see Costa Rica in all its natural beauty.