Volunteer at La Gran Vista Agroecological Farm

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: With stunning views of El Valle de General and Costa Rica's tallest mountains, including Mount Chirripo, La Gran Vista Agricultural Ecological Farm is well named. It is situated in the county of Perez Zeledon, three hours south of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Protected forests, sublime beaches and fabulous waterfalls can all be found nearby. Finca La Gran Vista was established on January 16, 2001, as a non-profit project with the aim of spreading awareness of environmentally sustainable agricultural methods to other farmers in the region. It is intended to provide an example for other farms of how the following practices can be employed successfully:

Organic farming;
Soil regeneration and conservation;
Natural herbicides;
Natural pesticides; and
Enhancement of the natural environment.

The manager of the project, Donald Villalobos, is an agricultural engineer who has worked with the Ministry of Agriculture for over 31 years and has seen first hand how traditional farming practices have contributed to habitat degradation in Costa Rica. The finca receives volunteers regularly throughout the year from across the world, and particularly from the USA, Canada, England and Australia. Their involvement is invaluable to the development of the farm and to the fulfillment of the main goals Donald has set. 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 electic 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, El Peje.

Highlights: The work will include construction, feeding the animals, planting seeds, soil conservation, maintenance of medical plants, using and producing organic fertilizer, maintaining the spring-water wells, and harvesting crops. Each morning you will find a whiteboard with the day's tasks, which will be assigned by Donald The work is at times challenging, but volunteers have invariably found it stimulating and rewarding. There are several projects on which the volunteers will be working while at Finca La Gran Vista. They include:

- Soil remediation
- Medicinal herb plot
- Solar dryer
- Terrace construction and maintenance
- Vegetable plot
- Biogas production
- Termite-proofing
- Frog pond
- Fish Pond

There are many activities for students in their free time, from relaxing in a hammock, to enjoying the local scenery and exploring the local area. Donald organizes regular tours to various sights of interest, including the hot springs in San Gerardo de Rivas ; horse riding, taught by Donald's youngest son Terry; and visits to the nearby waterfall and beach.

Qualifications:
* Bring a positive, hard-working attitude
* You will need to be reasonably fit for some of the work

Minimum Education: High School

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

La Gran Vista Agroecological Farm's Mission Statement: Mission: To create a self sufficient model of farm, where it can demonstrate himself the kindness of sustainable ecological exploitation agriculture. Vision: To settle down a model of Organic Integral Farm that is transferable to settle down and serve as reference for producers and students that are interested in taking place with healthy and friendly methods with the environment.

Year Founded: 2001