Agroecological Day Trip to the Sustainability Demonstration Center

         

   

On a beautiful weekend during March, we had the opportunity to host an interactive Agroecological Day Trip (“Paseo Agroecológico”), organized by Juan Arriaga from Casa del Sol in Guanacaste, at the Sustainability Demonstration Center. It was an empowering series of interactions between people with different backgrounds and expertise. This trip was part of other fair trade and sustainability visits we’ve had at the Center and our organic farm. The entire “paseo” was a continuous exchange of information between over 40 people from different regions of Costa Rica, from topics including adaptation strategies to climate change by using different groups to analysis of economic and political changes and impacts on small farmers and more.

We had great participation from small farmers, as well as Iris Rodriguez, who runs one of the few Seed Banks in Costa Rica. She has a storage-house in Atenas that allows her to preserve a diversity of seeds that have a wide range of uses, such as natural pesticides, incense, and also nutritional source. There was a seed exchange among participants and discussion about how we can grow different foods, especially in anticipation of the globalization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the harmful pesticide, RoundUp that accompanies GMO crops.

We also visited a local artist's Hobbit-style gallery... what an amazing person!  He is one example of what one person can do to help his community.  He volunteers at many community-based organizations, including the Feria de Guacimal and the City Water Council.

And, yes, a swim in the river was also in order, followed by great food from the local women at Farmer's Market.

At the Farmer's market, Jaime Garcia, representing two Costa Rican universities (UCR and UNED), spoke about agrochemicals and pesticides and their widespread impacts on our health and the health of our planet.  Many passerby even stayed to hear the important information Dr. Garcia shared.

Empowered by the knowledge that each person could share and also inspired by the messages and information from other people, it was a wonderful weekend. It became clear that it is up to the people to take charge and steer the boat, as often, governments are the ones facilitating world destruction. This type of action begins with each individual, making sure we make healthy decisions that allow us to take care of ourselves, those around us, and with that, the rest of the planet. Sharing INFORMATION is KEY.