Elizabeth's Secret Garden

Sustainable living is a lifestyle with the goal to reduce the usage of natural resources through a change in transportation, energy use, and food consumption. At this small farm in Costa Rica, sustainability starts in the home where free wind energy is used dry clothes. Another plus is the creation of a garden where food is harvested in the backyard. This lowers carbon emissions that come from food transport. To begin my tour, I walked down the grass path that divided the gardens. Herbs and fruit trees including bananas were included in the gardens. Some of the different plants are Lemon grass, mint, bay, ginger, citronella, and yucca. Above is a Bay tree. Commonly used to flavor soups and other dishes.   This bushy lemon grass plant is used in flavoring teas and marinades. It promotes digestion, is used as a mild insect repellant, and is said to relieve coughing and nasal congestion.  This solar dryer is used in drying herbs. It was very warm insi...

EARTH University has 3,000 acres of bananas grown sustainably and traditionally. For more than fifteen years EARTH’s students and staff have been experimenting with organic techniques on the banana farm located on the EARTH campus. The banana farms are located on the campuses in Guacimo and Guanacaste, Costa Rica. EARTH’s sustainable methods provide a positive model in the banana industry. EARTH does not use herbicides, but instead hand picks weeds. EARTH’s use of organic post-harvest fungicide and organic fertilizers lowers the impact on the environment. The organic waste from bananas is recycled into compost or to make banana paper. Bananas start their journey by being loaded onto this transportation mechanism. The bananas really ride in style from the field to the processing plant! Its like a long suspended cable. At the front of the procession, is a man suspended in his control cart which also is connected to the conveyor system. When the bananas come to a road, the driver...

The Integrated farm at EARTH University was established in 1993. Its purpose is to teach students about animal production as well as a learning center for local farmers and visitors. The Integrate farm is unique in that it practices sustainable farming methods. Not even animal manure is wasted. They are run through a biodigestor to great methane gas which is used in the production of energy for cooking and generating electricity on the campus. After the gas is extracted, the byproducts can be used as an organic fertilizer which reduces the need for harmful chemical fertilizers. This is the corral where the cows are milked. This process is educational for the students and can be experienced hands on. The sows have access to pastures, and are given and adequate amount of feed, water, and minerals to increase their milk production. Through the sale of male calves, milk, organic fertilizers, and pigs raised at the farm, EARTH receives income which benefits the University. Goat...

The EARTH University campus I toured is located in Guacimo, Limon Province, Costa Rica. They also have another University in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. EARTH is a private, international, non-profit university dedicated to educating students in agricultural sciences and the sustainable use of our natural resources. EARTH’s goal is to empower emerging leaders throughout the region by providing them access to a quality education, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and strong values to improve the quality of life in their communities. EARTH’s students receive education that will help them solve the problems of deforestation, poverty, unsustainable agriculture, and loss of natural resources occurring in their communities. http://www.earth-usa.org/   EARTH University hosts students from around the world. They come from Central and South America, Africa, and Asia to attend EARTH. The University’s student body currently includes 408 students from the 24 different countries! Stu...