Cacao Agroforestry in Costa Rica
Made possible by a 2023 Keller Family Venture Grant
Project Overview: The goal of our project was to study cacao farming in Costa Rica as a sustainable model that could be used worldwide. To do this, we visited smallholder farms to learn more about their ecosystem, operations, yield, and working conditions. At each farm, we toured the property, spoke with staff, and tested soil quality to gain a comprehensive understanding of cacao agroforestry practices in Costa Rica.
Methodology: We travelled to Costa Rica's northern Alajuela Province to visit and learn more about smallholder cacao farms. At each farm, we spoke with staff to learn more about the opportunities and challenges of growing cacao trees. We also measured soil pH and infiltration rates as a proxy for overall ecosystem health.
Results: Based on our findings, the soil quality across all farms was healthy enough to support long-term plant growth. In addition, other environmental indicators like plant health, animal habitat, and landscape connectivity all pointed towards strong overall ecosystem health. In conversations with staff, we also learned that most smallholder farms produce enough cacao to support themselves, but not enough to be used on an industrial scale.
Personal Impact: The opportunity to travel to a beautiful country with a purpose was an invaluable experience. We grew both as inquisitive students and conscientious citizens. We saw firsthand the difference agricultural structures can make in an area, starkly contrasted with the large mono-crop farms we've visited here in Colorado. It was inspiring in different ways to each of us both academically and showing us what we can do as individuals to make a hands-on difference.
Next Steps: The next steps for us are taking this knowledge and experience we are so fortunate to have had and translate this into tangible change here in the US. For Niko Linder this means furthering his understanding of the subject with higher education at Colombia University in New York. Theo Cowart will be managing water resources in eastern Oregon, helping to demarcate water in agricultural settings. Riley Varner will be getting hands-on experience by working on a small farm with aims to expand on the cohesive agro-ecological structure of the farm.