An Overview Of Our Solution
Faced with the challenge of a changing climate and growing population; we propose small, diversified agroecological farms as a strategy for actively promoting human health and well-being. Biodiverse agricultural systems will show more resilience than less diverse systems, in addition to promoting health in various ways: nutrition, microclimate regulation, exercise, etc. Allowing space for untouched natural areas within our managed environment provides a haven for wildlife, and the wildness within us humans. The ecological association Montaña Verde is located in just such a forested haven, next to the small agroecological farm Finca SDR (Sustainability in the Design of Resources). Our entry will focus on agroecological principles, specifically on this farm, though we wish to mention that other members of the Association also have successful projects.
Who is this solution impacting?
Community Type
Rural
Additional Information
- Population Impacted:
- Continent: North America
General Information
Organization type
Nonprofit
Ecosystem (select all that apply)
Forests
Freshwater
Oceans/Coasts
Population impacted
100 people
Challenge
Size of agricultural area
1.4 hectares
Production quantity
Bananas 600 kilos, pork 400 kilos, chicken 100 kilos, Coffee 50 kilos, tomatoes 100 kilos, kale and greens 10 kilos, fruit and others 50 kilos
People employed
2-3 people
Solution
Describe your solution
Guided by agroecological principles, it is possible to actively promote human health and well-being, through judicious design of our built environment. The integrated farm is thought of as an engineered ecosystem which provides us with food, health-promoting habits and ecosystem services. By making management decisions based on the specific conditions of each area, it is possible to encourage the health and resilience of the ecosystem, which in turn promotes human health. For example: forested riparian zones, perennial agricultural systems on steep slopes and annual cultivation on flatter areas is appropiate land use.
At the example farm (SDR), we grow an abundance of delicious food, both plant and animal. In so doing, we encourage the health of our own family, our communitiy, and the ecosystems on which we all depend. Biodiversity is encouraged, both of domestic crops and protected habitat for wildlife. Herbicides and pesticides are not used, due to their toxicity. A diversity of crops (especially heirloom varieties which have been selected for local conditions), contribute to the resilience and sustainability of the system, especially in the face of climate change.
The farm used as an example here is 1.4 hectares, however the same principles can apply to suburban houselots, or larger farms. At a larger scale, such as a watershed, land-use decisions are ideally made through a process in which all stakeholders are adequately represented.
Implementation
Describe your implementation
Outreach activities which will expose more people to agroecological principles, allowing them to understand how they can impact their own health and well-being, are at the center of our implementation. At Montaña Verde, we have held activities celebrating Earth day and others, educational activities at local schools, and we´re currently planning, in collaboration with the local aqueduct, a “water stroll”, to be followed by an open conversation about water management. We will continue these activities, expanding to reach more people.
We have seen that there is receptivity to the concepts we are advocating, especially when presented in an accessible, interactive manner. When talking with people about these topics, it is helpful to ask questions and let them do the talking. Climate change, and the need to prepare for it, is a topic of great interest to most people. Costa Ricans are also concerned to know that our country is the number one user of pesticides.
When presented with the idea that we can actually make a difference, and with something as culturally appropiate as agroecology, many people are excited to apply these principles to their own farm or houselot. The benefits of agroecological practices are easily visible, which also increases acceptance.
Enabling conditions include Montaña Verde´s physical infrastructure, as well as our experience and relationships which have already been cultivated. We have various members who are well-educated on these topics, and a passion to see these changes take place.
One of our main obstacles, is that Montaña Verde has gone through a period of inactivity, low community engagement, and few resources. We are now reestablishing ourselves as a community presence, and are working to improve the health and well-being of our community and the ecosystems on which we depend.
Our children are growing up with skills that are fundamental to our well-being as humans, while their generation stares at video screens.
External connections
Montaña Verde is an association with a diverse membership, many of whom are involved in their own agroecological projects. Various members are also closely involved with the Mercado local solidario del Chirripó. This is a farmer´s market where people can directly support their local producers by buying fresh, high-quality produce at competitive prices. It is managed by women´s collective.
The association has a close working relationship with the local aqueduct, which is a participant in the Ecological Blue Flag Program, a Costa Rican government initiative which promotes social and environmental well-being. One of the requirements of this program, is engagement with the local community and developing environmental awareness. We also have a relationship with Fundación Sembrando Agua, a county-level program which works with the area´s aqueducts, helping reforest key areas to assure the supply of water for future generations.
This area is blessed with many exciting projects. Two which bear mentioning here are Cloudbridge Nature Reserve (located up the mountain from us) and Community Carbon Trees, a reforestation and environmental education project based in the Coastal Mountain Range.
Last but not least, the customers of Finca SDR and other agroecological farms are an important partner in this project. By choosing to buy products from an integrated farm, these people are making a choice about what they are eating and what kind of agriculture they are supporting.
Results
What is the environmental or ecological challenge you are targeting with your solution?
High temperatures, water shortage and extreme weather events may be some of the effects of climate change. They pose a threat to human health in various ways, both direct (for example heatstroke) and indirect (our health depends on the food system, the water cycle, etc).
Montaña Verde is located in the El General River watershed in southern Costa Rica, close to Rivas. This area has beautiful mountains and is blessed with abundant rainfall. These factors, along with lack of comprehensive land management practices, have contributed to the loss of homes and infrastructure from extreme precipitation events in the past. After hurricane Cesar, in 1995, many families were relocated to an urbanization project which was created for that purpose (Linda Vista). The “de-skilling” which comes with urbanization, is especially apparent here. This project seeks to conserve traditional ecological skills and promote resilience in local social-ecological systems, through agroecological practices.
Describe the context in which you are operating
Asociación Montaña Verde is located in the foothills of the Talamanca mountain range, only 15 minutes away from San Isidro de El General. The association is situated between Rivas, which has suffered flooding in the past; and Linda Vista, which was created to provide homes for those who lost everything in Hurricane Cesar. This region of Costa Rica was quite isolated, just a generation ago, self-sufficiency was a necessity, and working the land was the norm. However, farming is hard work that is not always sufficiently economically compensated, and social convention has valued office work and a salary more than growing food.
As a country, Costa Rica ranks near the top of the list both of gastric cancer and pesticide use. This is not coincidental, and it is just one of many examples that demonstrate quite clearly the need for a shift in agricultural practices. Agroecology offers a culturally appropiate, technically sound guideline to promote human health and well-being.
How did you impact natural resource use and greenhouse gas emissions?
Agroecological guidelines promote diversity both of wildlife and domestic crops. A tropical forest is a marvelously diverse ecosystem, which captures sunlight and transforms it into biomass, providing shade and soil retention. Leaving riparian zones and other key areas in forest provides habitat for wildlife and valuable ecosystem services.
On steep slopes, we can mimic nature by planting “food forests”. For example, on Finca SDR we have coffee, bananas, cocoa and other fruit trees planted on contour.
On land more suitable to annual agriculture, it is possible to plant traditional field crops (corn, beans, squash, yucca, chaya, etc). Other nutritional and appropiate foods which have not been part of traditional Costa Rican cuisine include moringa, amaranth, buckwheat, sesame, etc.
A greenhouse allows for growing greens, tomatoes and other crops which benefit from shelter from the rain. A diversity of domestic animals (to produce fertilizer) is also part of the integrated farm.
Language(s)
Spanish, English for tourism
Water
Protecting springs and riparian zones is mandated by Costa Rican law, and also makes good agroecological sense. Forests transpire water, and serve an important function in the hydrological cycle. Our management practices also promote the infiltration of water in the soil and the replenishing of groundwater. Developing a solid relationship with the local aqueduct, and involving them in our outreach program is an added benefit.
Food Security/Nutrition
Our solution encourages people to become engaged in the production of their food. Even those living in urban households can have a potted basil on their kitchen window, and the satisfaction of growing their own. The diversity which is encouraged by agroecological principles, provides for resilience in the face of climate change, and also a more varied diet, with more nutrition. Introduction of highly nutritious foods also enhances diversity and food security.
Economic/Sustainable Development
The diversity and quality of products on an agroecological farm allow for direct economic benefits, especially in conjunction with local farmer´s markets. Other economic benefits may come in the form of tourism, both agroecological tourism and those who come to enjoy the area´s exuberant nature. Of course, the economic benefits of mitigating climate change and promoting human health and well-being can also be considered as part of the benefits of our solution.
Climate
The Via Campesina has claimed that peasant farming can “cool the world”, by sequestering carbon and reducing emissions. The healthy ecosystems promoted by agroecology will regulate the local microclimate, enhancing human health and well-being. Tropical forest captures high-grade energy (sunlight), using it to fuel a diverse, complex system. In a city, or a desert, sunlight is transformed into heat, whereas trees capture the same energy and convert it into biomass, shade and water!
Sustainability
Montaña Verde has the distinct advantage of owning its own infrastructure, and is currently available as a rental for groups or individuals. This revenue provides the association with the means to maintain the installations and repair the road, and also finance some outreach activities. As of yet, most of the activities have not involved any financial transaction, as members of the association donate their time and expertise without financial compensation. Optimally, the association members who are engaged in outreach activities should be compensated, and this may be achieved if Albergue Montaña Verde is successful. Grant funding or government subsidies would allow for a more in-depth outreach process and a broader geographic reach.
Return on investment
Society does not currently place economic value on many of the underlying products and services that it needs to function. We believe this may change: Costa Rica already has a payment for environmental services, and climate change highlights the need for these services.
As mentioned above, many of Montaña Verde´s outreach activities have not had a budget. They have happened because community members freely donate their time and energy.
With an investment of 6000 USD, it would be possible to establish an in-depth outreach program both in our immediate communities, and in other parts of the El General Valley.
Given the high cost of “natural” disasters, investing in resilient social-ecological systems and health has a high return.
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Replication and Scale
How could we successfully replicate this solution elsewhere?
Once the content of the outreach program has been developed, it will be relatively simple to adapt and replicate elsewhere. Funding will be needed to hire at least one local person, who is personally engaged with these topics and will perform on-the-ground coordination. Because different people learn in different ways, we have incorporated diverse learning mediums into the program (for example drawing and movement). Ideally, local artists and teachers would participate in each area.
The participatory and adaptive nature of our outreach program makes it a process, which is developed in each area according to local needs. In this sense, both agroecology and Montaña Verde´s outreach program are more like guiding principles, than a set recipe.
There are areas in the Térraba River watershed, downriver from us, which could greatly benefit from our outreach program. These areas are hot and dry, with high poverty rates. They would especially benefit from these management practices.