Volunteer in an Ecological Farm in Costa Rica

Project Overview: The Ecological Farm was established in 2001, as a local non-profit project. Its aim was to spread awareness of environmentally sustainable methods of agriculture to other farmers in the region. The ecological farmers provided an example of how the following practices could be used successfully, so that other farms would voluntarily use these methods after witnessing the results.

• Organic farming
• Soil regeneration and conservation
• Use of natural herbicides and pesticides
• Enhancement of the natural environment

The manager of the project is an agricultural engineer, with 29 years of experience. He has seen firsthand how traditional farming practices have contributed to habitat degradation in Costa Rica. He believes that in order to generate a change in the way agriculture is currently practiced by other farmers, it is necessary to demonstrate that the new practices of ecological farming are superior to those currently in use.

The finca (farm) receives volunteers regularly throughout the year from across the world: particularly from the USA, Canada, England and Australia. The involvement of volunteers is invaluable to the development of the farm and to the fulfillment of its goals. Over the years, the finca has been fortunate enough to receive volunteers from English and American companies, foreign students at Spanish language schools in Costa Rica and ecology students. Notable, recent achievements include constructing an electric fence, digging a frog pond, excavating a special site to produce natural biogas, replanting grass, constructing a spacious living area for volunteers at the front of the main building, constructing terraces, planting trees and repainting the school and church in the community.

There are several projects on which you could be working in the farm, including organic farming, soil regeneration and conservation, creating natural herbicides and pesticides, and enhancing the natural environment. Your tasks will be specially chosen and rigorously prepared. Examples of these tasks include construction, feeding animals, soil conservation, medical plant maintenance, producing organic fertilizers, maintaining spring-water wells and harvesting, plantings seeds and harvesting crops. Each morning, you will reference a whiteboard with the daily tasks as arranged by the project manager. The work, at times, is challenging, but previous volunteers have found it both stimulating and rewarding. All projects and activities reflect the values and positive ethos of the farm and yield maximum production that is friendly to the environment.

Project location

The Ecological Farm (the finca) is located in the county of Pérez Zeledón. Bordering the east side of Pérez are stunning views of Costa Rica's tallest mountains (like Mount Chirripó), which you may venture to climb on weekends. Protected forests, picturesque beaches and peaceful waterfalls can be found nearby the site, which make great day trips for anyone wanting to explore the area. Arriving at the project site requires a 3-hour trip from San José, Costa Rica's capital city. From the ecological farm site (the finca), the city of San Isidro can be reached in a short 20 minutes. This city not only offers important conveniences to the volunteers, but is also a perfect starting point for those wanting to explore the southern portion of Costa Rica.

Project requirements

There are a variety of projects to which you could be assigned. Below is a list of common jobs on the farm.

• Construction
• Feeding animals
• Soil conservation
• Medical plant maintenance
• Organic fertilizer production
• Maintenance of spring-water wells
• Harvesting crops
• Plantings seeds
• Digging to create ponds
• Creation of natural herbicides and pesticides

Your role as a volunteer

Your role is to get your hands dirty working on assignments that foster continual development of the farm. As a volunteer, you will work both morning and afternoon shifts. We are looking for volunteers who are flexible, hardworking individuals ready to take on what the project manager assigns them with enthusiasm.

Work schedule

You will work Monday through Friday, from 7am - 4pm (frequent breaks are provided to eat and rest). You are given weekends off to travel and enjoy what Peréz has to offer.

Project Transport Arrangements

Volunteers live on the farm with the project manager and his family. Therefore, daily transportation to the site is unnecessary.

Language requirements

Participants need to speak either Spanish or English at an intermediate level. The project manager is bilingual, so either language is acceptable for communication onsite.

Communications

San Isidro is a short walk down the hill and a short bus ride from the farm. Internet Cafes in San Isidro give you the opportunity to communicate with your friends and family members. You will find pay phones dispersed throughout the city, which you can use to make local or international calls with a calling card. You will also be provided a local phone card for emergencies, as well as directed to areas in which you can purchase international cards to phone home. You can use these calling cards on the farm, as well as accept any international calls from family members.

Project dress code

You should wear outdoor work clothes. You will get dirty, so any item of clothing that you wish to keep clean should not be worn onsite. Jeans, shorts, athletic pants and t-shirts are all acceptable. Hiking boots, rain boots, as well as old tennis shoes are recommended footwear for your time spent on the farm. Bandanas, hats and sunglasses will protect you from the sun that shines brightly mid-day. We ask that you refrain from wearing any clothes with large holes or tears that show inappropriate amounts of skin. Also any shirts with offensive logos and inappropriate images are prohibited.

Activities Close to Project

The natural beauty that surrounds the ecological farm in Peréz will provide many opportunities for photos, as well as exploration. The site is also conveniently located to San Isidro, which is the perfect starting point for weekend trips into the southern portion of Costa Rica.

In Peréz you can:

• Relax in a hammock
• Explore the local scenery
• Tour the hot springs in San Gerardo de Rivas
• Go horseback riding
• Visit nearby waterfalls and beaches
• Participate in local soccer games
• Take the bus into San Isidro
  • Go to a local café, restaurant, bar or disco
  • Practice your Spanish by watching a movie at the theater
  • Play videogames or surf the net at an internet café
  • Attend a dance, Kung-fu or spinning class
  • Go for a bike ride around the city
• Visit Chirripó National Park
• Climb Mount Chirripó (ask about information on permits)
• Go hiking in the Cordillera de Talamanca (mountain range)
• Commute to other popular tourist locations in and around the area: Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Jaco and/or Cahuita.

Read this projects volunteer stories and testimonials
Laura Holt, June 2007
Colin Nicol, June 2007
Mike Safyan, June 2007


View Photo Gallery for this Project