Organic Farming

• Work alongside coffee farmers
• Learn eco-friendly agriculture practices
• Immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Costa Rica
• Volunteer abroad safely & affordably

Project Summary

Farmers in Costa Rica are beginning to recognize the importance of organic and sustainable farming. Many of the coffee farmers have converted to organic or at least use less chemicals than their conventional counterparts use. Local independent farms have converted over to organic for the environment and their personal health. Volunteers can work side-by-side with local farmers to learn the practices, teach new alternatives and help these farmers develop rural tourism as well for more sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Skills/Qualifications Needed

Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not mandatory). If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping. An interest in organic or sustainable farming is important. Volunteers are expected to be very self-motivated, reliable and flexible.

Volunteer Responsibilities

As a volunteer, you will work alongside farmers, setting up new systems of agriculture and possibly conducting interviews and surveys. Volunteers spend a large amount of their time physically at the farms, picking coffee, learning and sharing information on organic practices.

Room/Food/Supervision

In Costa Rica, all volunteers stay with well-screened host families. Our host families are socially respected and are well versed in the art of hosting international volunteers. Host families offer a safe home, private rooms (occasionally rooms will be shared with other same-gender volunteers) and shared bathroom facilities with running hot water and a “western” style toilet. Volunteers have the ability to do laundry at the house or the host family may offer to do it for you for a nominal extra fee. You receive three prepared meals per day. If you will be out of the house during lunch hour, you can request a lunch "to go" that you can take with you or eat out on your own. Host families provide typical meals that are traditional to Costa Rica.

Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. With longer placements, we visit our volunteers every two weeks (when possible) and volunteers are always welcome at the local office. If project placement is local, we request that volunteers stop by the office once a week to keep us posted on how they are doing with their home stay and project. If project placement is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by either email and/or phone.

FAQ

• Please provide typical day schedule for this project.

  You will travel to farm via the 9 a.m. bus and where you will work until 11:30 or later if you wish as long as the weather permits.

• Where do I stay? How far is the project from the accommodation? How do I commute every day?

  Volunteers are provided accommodations in a home stay, approximately 20 minutes by bus, which costs approximately $1 USD per day.

• What would I be doing at the project?

  It depends on the day and time of the year. You could be picking, drying and roasting coffee or doing other sustainable projects around the farm.

• What is the name of the project I would be placed?

  Volunteers are provided placement details upon completing their application.

• Will I be working in the project on my own or will there be someone assisting me while working?

  You will working side-by-side with the owners and employees of the farm.

• How many hours a day do I need to work?

  As many or as few as you would like.

• Is organic project available all-round the year?

  Yes