Day 5- June 13, 2012
Today after working at the school we visited Daniel Vega Gutierrez’s organic farm - La Finca el Paraíso. Daniel showed us how to milk goats, a task I did not partake in (I had a bad experience milking a cow when I was younger and since then have steered clear of milking farm animals). He also let us hold some of the baby pigs, which squealed until Danielle was able to calm one down (Alicia dubbed her the “pig whisperer”). Daniel taught us a lot about how his organic farm runs by showing us how his farm uses biogas (gas made from dead organic matter) instead of gasoline, teaching us how to create organic fertilizer, and letting us feed his pigs their organic diet. We each got to complete one of the steps in making the organic fertilizer – Emily and I poured molasses into a bucket of water and stirred it with our hands – I was a little reluctant to do so at first but it was actually really fun. During the tour of his farm, Daniel taught us about the many uses of his plants ranging from citronella which is used to clean houses to corn pepper used as a spice. After the tour we drank some delicious Costa Rican coffee with Daniel as he told us about the history of his farm and the struggles he has faced trying to establish his business.
After taking AP Environmental Science this past year, I found it really interesting to see firsthand all of the organic farming methods I have read about. When I was learning about these methods in school, it was hard to see the different levels of environmental issues that visiting Daniel’s farm brought to light. For example, in the classroom when you hear about non-environmental agricultural practices you think that the solution is simple - change the agricultural practices, however Daniel’s story taught me that there is a lot more to solving these issues. Daniel used to work at a pineapple plantation, but after seeing the awful methods they used to increase their profit he decided to create his own organic farm. Although his food is delicious and organically made, he is having problems establishing his business because the Costa Rican government does not advertise organic food the same way the United States government does. Daniel also faces opposition from his neighbors, who do not know about the benefits of organic farming as much as he does. Daniel is already working to solve this issue by educated children about organic farming.
Daniel’s farm serves as a great example as to how different groups of people need to work together to make change possible, but also how one person can make a difference. In APES we learned about the different people involved in solving environment issues – the scientists (to discover methods), the doers (to implement those methods), the government (to support those methods), and the educators (to advertise those methods to the public). Daniel’s story helped bring to life the role of these different groups of people in solving environmental issues.
- Grace Ann Brew
After visiting Daniel’s farm, we all went to our host families for our second night. Initially, my experience with my family was difficult with the language barrier, but we managed to communicate nonverbally. When Nikky and I first arrived, our family welcomed us warmly. The house that we live in is much different than our houses back in America and served as a challenge for the two of us, specifically the bathroom. We stepped out of our comfort zone when we used the shower last night. Instead of a faucet shower or bath, our family had a bucket full of water that we needed to pour on ourselves to bathe. We dreaded the experience, but after finishing my shower, I realized that it was not as bad as I had expected. Instead of an ice-cold splash, the water was refreshing in this humid and hot climate. The single bathroom without running water, made me realize how privileged I am and how much I take for granted.
Even though the house was not as I had expected, I got over my fear of showering and appreciated the kind family that generously took in two American girls. We bonding through games and lessons of Costa Rican culture. My host mother and sister taught us how to do laundry by hand last night and this morning we made tortillas for breakfast. We grew closer as a family playing Uno the past two nights and Nikky even complained that her face was tired from laughing and smiling the whole night. Despite the language barrier, we have connected and communicated and the loving family has been a highlight of the trip so far.
- Kelly Krawczyk
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