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Our great vision here on the farm, is to
be completely self sufficient in terms of food and material production.
We seek to purchase thousands of acres of rainforest, and pasturelands. Although Costa
Rica does have strict laws forbidding the destruction of rainforest, they are seldom enforced, and rainforests are constantly
being demolished. By purchasing lands, we are able to help stop such destruction. By purchasing deforested pasturelands,
we are able to plant thousands of trees, including fruit trees, which will provide food and shelter for wildlife as well as
for the human community.
Our approach to conservation includes, not only purchasing the lands, but also educating children,
youth and adults to be stewards of the lands. We have found that many Central American people simply have not been educated
to understand the importance of conservation or how it affects their own communities, or the world community.
Most rural families do not use biodegradable soaps or cleaners, nor do they have proper filtration in place
before their drain water reaches the rivers. Many of the cattle ranches constantly use chemical herbicides. Through
educating and facilitating youth, we are able to take simple educational programs to the neighboring communities to spread
the understanding.
What we are doing RIGHT NOW to be sustainable:
- We share an organic farm.
- We are growing food.
- We make natural soaps.
- We make natural medicines from locally harvested
medicinal plants.
- We make raw organic vinegar, pickles, and hot sauce.
- We have a small natural foods business that provides
income to support the project.
- We eat a mostly vegetarian, whole foods diet using mostly locally produced products.
- We plant trees.
- We have goats
which produce fresh organic milk.
- We make yogurt and cheese.
- We use a minimal amount of pre-packaged foods.
- We actively recycle. (We actually recycle it ourselves, not just take it somewhere.)
- We collect
our water from a spring on our farm.
- We use minimal amounts of electricity.
- We use natural materials from
our farm for building and landscaping (such as, fallen trees, clay, grasses, rocks, and more).
- We trade and
barter whenever possible.
- We are passing the message of sustainability along through children and youth in schools and
other meetings.
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