Agua Buena is a small town in the county of Coto Brus, Costa Rica, located on the border with Panama in the mountain region south of La Amistad National Park. The volcanic soil of this region grows excellent coffee, produced by 50 associates of the CoopePueblos Cooperative. Each farm consists of about 1-8 acres of land where CAN is working with farmers who are focused on improving their livelihood by growing coffee and transitioning into sustainable farming practices.

CAN's relationship with this community began over 32 years ago when CAN researcher and co-founder Steve Gliessman lived in this community and conducted agroecological research while also farming coffee and diverse vegetables at a farm named Finca Loma Linda.  This relationship has continued to develop in many ways since then.

The main focus of the research and education in Coto Brus has been in areas of educating and training farmers about agroecology, sustainable farming practices, and in marketing. 

UCSC Professor and researcher, Karen Holl, has become involved with Coto Brus and is focusing her research on the restoration of farming lands that have been degraded due to past unsustainable farming practices.  Since high quality coffee grows best in tree-shaded areas, Holl's work with reforestation of degraded lands combines well with agroforestry and the use of trees for the diversification of coffee production.

Other researchers in Agua Buena are Rebecca Cole, a graduate student in the UCSC Environmental Studies Department who works with Dr. Holl, and Dr. Martha Rosemeyer of Evergreen State College, who has been doing research on agroecologically-based farming practices and teaching agroecology courses in Coto Brus for many years.

In the summer of 2002 a community workshop was held in Agua Buena where CAN researchers from all 5 communities convened to share knowledge in their specific areas of research and outreach in agroecology.

CAN collaborates with the local farming cooperative CoopePueblos in a dynamic community-based internship experience for college level students. Interns live with families in the community, conduct agroecological research with farmers and work on community projects. Through this experience life-long relationships are built and a deep understanding of rural communities and the life of small-scale producers is fostered.

The Coto Brus internship is the most established of the three CAN internship programs in Central America, initiated in 1998. This program accepts self-motivated interns who can work collaboratively. Advanced Spanish language skill is preferred, but intermediate speakers will be accepted. Interns have the opportunity to work in community development efforts and develop independent research projects through the CoopePueblos Cooperative.

CoopePueblos works with CAN interns to develop alternative markets for local products, promote sustainable agriculture and implement reforestation projects.

Examples of past intern projects:

• Assessment of the social and ecological sustainability of the culture in Southern Coto Brus - Laura Pavliscak
• Consumer education video on sustainability issues in Coto Brus - Vivan Vadakan
• A study of alternative fertilizers in coffee nurseries - Alexa Kielty
• Establishing an agroecology demonstration garden in Copabuena, Costa Rica - Sonya Binnewies
• Experiment on using oil palm ash for root knot nematode control in Coto Brus, Costa Rica - Troy Henri

Costs of internship

• $2000.00 for 10 weeks
• Please contact us for pricing on longer stays.

For more information on internships contact:
interns@communityagroecology.net

For information on internships in other CAN communities, please look at the other community sections: Tacuba, Matagalpa, Huatusco.

Vermicomposting: Red worms turn coffee bean husks into rich organic fertilizer to replenish the farms' soil.

• demonstration garden and greenhouse: located in the town center, this provides an ongoing example for crop diversification and is also the location for hands-on workshops;
• central composting area: recycles the coffee bean pulp and husks into rich organic fertilizer for building healthy soil
• tree seedling nursery:  provides shade trees for the farms
• local women's groups projects: to generate local income producing ability

Buy coffee direct from CoopaPueblos!

In 2003 Coopabuena Cooperative in collaboration with CAN took important steps to overcome the impact of the coffee crisis on their community. They became the first cooperative to roast and package their own coffee and ship it directly to the homes of consumers in the United States! By adding value to their product and eliminating all of the 'middle steps', the farmers and cooperative receive a much greater return for their coffee. This returns to the Cooperative over five times more than those who sell their coffee in the conventional system, and three times more than prices guaranteed by certified Fair Trade standards.

The direct sale of coffee is not just to generate cash, and it is not the only way to overcome the impact of the coffee crisis. CAN promotes a multiple step process where the direct market stimulates change in all aspects of sustainability.   A percent of the funds from the direct market is used to work with farmers to diversify their farms and use more sustainable practices. The increased revenue also supports community projects such as reforestation and compost-making. Buying direct from the cooperative gives you, the consumer, an opportunity to be part of the change process.

After the Coopabuena coop went out of business, a smaller group of farmers dedicated to sustainable farming methods arose in its place. CAN now works directly with this cooperative, CoopePueblos. Coffee is sold and shipped from the CoopePueblos Cooperative in Costa Rica directly to your home.   All funds from coffee sales are returned to the Cooperative. Each bag of high altitude, shade grown coffee contains whole beans and weighs one pound.   Two delicious roasts of premium quality Arabica coffee beans are available:

• The LIGHT ROAST is a perfect breakfast coffee with a bright, clean taste.   Rich and creamy, this coffee is flawlessly balanced, providing tangy, citrus undertones.  
• The DARK ROAST has a more full-bodied flavor and is rich in texture.   Theearthy, smoky undertones complement Arabica's sharpness and provide an excellent after-dinner coffee.

Taste the Difference and order coffee directly from Costa Rica now!