"A human being is part of the whole, called by us “universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest – a kind of delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
~ Albert Einstein
~ Albert Einstein
Sustainability Defined
The following is an excerpt from an article by Kendra L. Arnold printed in Natural Awakenings® magazine, April 2008. This offers a good description of how sustainability is interconnected on three levels.
☼ Social sustainability focuses on social interaction and cultural enrichment. It is about how we make choices that affect others, including a business’ operations and its effect on employees, suppliers, investors, local and global communities and customers. Social sustainability also relates to the most basic needs of human nature, such as, happiness, safety, freedom, dignity and affection.
☼ Economic Sustainability requires that companies provide a decent standard of living to their employees, as well as providing fair market value for stocks and products. An economic sustainable company might also be called fair-trade.
☼ Environmental sustainability is the ability of the environment to continue to function properly indefinitely. The goal of environmental sustainability is to minimize environmental damage, as well as halt and reverse current environmental damage. In general, the term “sustainability” requires that human activity only use natural resources at a rate at which they can be replenished naturally.
"Our ideals, laws and customs should be based on the proposition that each generation, in turn, becomes the custodian rather than the absolute owner of our resources and each generation has the obligation to pass this inheritance on to the future."
Charles A. Lindbergh
New York Times Magazine, 23 May 1971
☼ Social sustainability focuses on social interaction and cultural enrichment. It is about how we make choices that affect others, including a business’ operations and its effect on employees, suppliers, investors, local and global communities and customers. Social sustainability also relates to the most basic needs of human nature, such as, happiness, safety, freedom, dignity and affection.
☼ Economic Sustainability requires that companies provide a decent standard of living to their employees, as well as providing fair market value for stocks and products. An economic sustainable company might also be called fair-trade.
☼ Environmental sustainability is the ability of the environment to continue to function properly indefinitely. The goal of environmental sustainability is to minimize environmental damage, as well as halt and reverse current environmental damage. In general, the term “sustainability” requires that human activity only use natural resources at a rate at which they can be replenished naturally.
"Our ideals, laws and customs should be based on the proposition that each generation, in turn, becomes the custodian rather than the absolute owner of our resources and each generation has the obligation to pass this inheritance on to the future."
Charles A. Lindbergh
New York Times Magazine, 23 May 1971
Our Mission
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The Foundation For Sustainable Living was established to promote sustainable organic agriculture of diverse food, plants, aquaculture, and animal husbandry. We advocate for development and home construction methods that utilize local materials in well planned, comfortable, but compact living quarters that rely upon renewable power sources. |
Our Place
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Agriculture is the foundation of sustainability. The perpetual growing season, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil make Sarchi, Costa Rica an ideal location. With these inherent attributes, an agrarian culture exists in Costa Rica along with a technologically advanced banking, industrial, and tourist economy. |
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Costa Rica is a peaceful country without an army or military economy. The political stability, friendliness to foreign residents, an improving standard of living, and emergence as a modern technologically progressive country, increases the appeal. A large foreign community with a diverse understanding of many concepts, and a willingness to interact and share their talents with others acts as a magnet to attract other like minded people to the area.
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The Finca is in a farming area that grows coffee, sugar cane, ornamental plants and produce. The small town of Sarchi, 4km away on a paved road, provides all the basic services for daily living. Sarchi is best known for the manufacture of fine woodcrafts. Many homes in Costa Rica are furnished with the excellent work produced in the many small shops in this area. The larger, nearby towns of Naranjo, with 30,000 inhabitants, and Grecia, approximately 60,000 inhabitants, provide a more diverse selection of goods and services. The international airport at Alajuela is an hour away and San Jose, the Capital of Costa Rica, is 1 ½ hours by car.
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The location at 1200 meters above sea level provides a pleasant year round climate. The homes have neither heating nor cooling but rely on proper siting and design for open air cross ventilation. The farm has several microclimate zones including south slope, hilltop areas, and north slope that goes down to the river and lake.
The Rio Trojas with its source being the many springs on the western slope of Vulcan Poas is about 7 meters wide. In the June through October season, the river rises from 0.3 meters, with a tranquil flow, to a depth of 1.5 meters of rushing torrent. |
Directions to finca sarchi trojas
Address:
Calle San Miguel
200 Mts. sur/oeste de la ‘4Isquina’/ Ferreteria
Valverde Vega, San Pedro, Sarchi Norte
Alajuela, Costa Rica
Local people are generally friendly and will try to help you find your destination. However, be vigilant and keep your possessions well guarded. Around the airport only accept help from persons with identification badges.
You are welcome to arrive on the farm between 6am and 6pm on your scheduled arrival date. This timeframe respects the sleeping hours of the workers who live on the property and it is easier to find in the daylight.
Transport to Sarchi
By TAXI
From the airport, you can take a legal red with yellow triangle taxi direct to the farm, for a price of $35-40. Make sure to agree with the driver on a price beforehand. If you do this, select one that has a cell phone and if needed one who speaks English.
By Bus; Options:
When you arrive in Sarchi, get off in front of the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) and take a taxi to the farm. Best option is to take a cheaper taxi (=unofficial ‘pirate’ taxi however very safe). The stand of these taxis is located on the right side of the colorful square a bit from the BCR, opposite to the colorfully painted large typical ox-wagon.
Best explanation to the taxi driver would be: Calle San Miguel, San Pedro, 200 metros antes la ferreteria / antes la quatro isquina. The farm is located +-200 meters south-west of/ before the ferreteria on the crossing and some 100 mts. after you’ve seen the sign with ‘Marconi Salas, abogado’ on your left hand side (When coming from Sarchi Sur, going UP the hill).
At the red gate of the farm stands a white sign saying: ‘se vende quintas’ (Since I am the only gringo (Francisco) in the area, most taxi-drivers will know the place when you mention you’d like to go to: ‘la finca de gringo’.)
Looking forward to welcoming you!
Note:
Often we receive requests, however many volunteers fail to stay in contact. We ask that you update your travel plans for your visit every two weeks. When you have a confirmed your airline flight schedule, we will hold a secure place for you. This may mean that we turn away other interested volunteers, thus please respect this arrangement.
Calle San Miguel
200 Mts. sur/oeste de la ‘4Isquina’/ Ferreteria
Valverde Vega, San Pedro, Sarchi Norte
Alajuela, Costa Rica
Local people are generally friendly and will try to help you find your destination. However, be vigilant and keep your possessions well guarded. Around the airport only accept help from persons with identification badges.
You are welcome to arrive on the farm between 6am and 6pm on your scheduled arrival date. This timeframe respects the sleeping hours of the workers who live on the property and it is easier to find in the daylight.
Transport to Sarchi
By TAXI
From the airport, you can take a legal red with yellow triangle taxi direct to the farm, for a price of $35-40. Make sure to agree with the driver on a price beforehand. If you do this, select one that has a cell phone and if needed one who speaks English.
By Bus; Options:
- From the airport, take a taxi to the bus station for the Alajuela to Grecia-Sarchi- Naranjo bus. These red and white busses will take you directly to Sarchi.
- Another option is to take the bus from San Jose/Alajuela to Grecia. Then you should change busses in Grecia and there get on the Sarchi bus in front of the Musmanni Panaderia (Every half an hour)
- If you are coming from the north, take the bus to Naranjo, from there to Sarchi. In Sarchi, go the private taxi stand, called ‘Transporte Costa Rica’. (Around the corner close to Banco de Costa Rica).
When you arrive in Sarchi, get off in front of the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) and take a taxi to the farm. Best option is to take a cheaper taxi (=unofficial ‘pirate’ taxi however very safe). The stand of these taxis is located on the right side of the colorful square a bit from the BCR, opposite to the colorfully painted large typical ox-wagon.
Best explanation to the taxi driver would be: Calle San Miguel, San Pedro, 200 metros antes la ferreteria / antes la quatro isquina. The farm is located +-200 meters south-west of/ before the ferreteria on the crossing and some 100 mts. after you’ve seen the sign with ‘Marconi Salas, abogado’ on your left hand side (When coming from Sarchi Sur, going UP the hill).
At the red gate of the farm stands a white sign saying: ‘se vende quintas’ (Since I am the only gringo (Francisco) in the area, most taxi-drivers will know the place when you mention you’d like to go to: ‘la finca de gringo’.)
Looking forward to welcoming you!
Note:
Often we receive requests, however many volunteers fail to stay in contact. We ask that you update your travel plans for your visit every two weeks. When you have a confirmed your airline flight schedule, we will hold a secure place for you. This may mean that we turn away other interested volunteers, thus please respect this arrangement.
Affiliations
The Foundation and Earth Education International have agreed to form a partnership to begin projects with student researchers in January 2007. Earth Education International is headed by Dr. Miguel Karian. Information can be found at their web site, www.earthedintl.org.
The School for Field Studies has five locations worldwide, including one in Atenas, Costa Rica, about one hour from the Foundation’s facility. The School for Field Studies will send students and professors to engage in projects consistent with their common mission. Opportunities for participants range from day long visits to living on the site for weeks at a time. The Director of the Atenas campus is Dr. Noland Quiors, PhD and their staff includes many professors and educators. Their web site is www.fieldstudies.org.
Earth University is located just outside of Guacimo, Limon here in Costa Rica. It is a full time, four year University, dedicated to the study of tropical plants. They have an intern program that places third year students at a project for 15 weeks beginning in December. The farm in Sarchi has invited an intern to live at the farm for the 2006 and 2007 work study period. The student develops and carries out his or her project during the stay. The professors visit the student in
links to some of our friends
SustainableABQ.com - Sustainable ABQ (Albuquerque, New Mexico) is your one stop site for tips, ideas, education and news with an emphasis on local sustainability solutions. " The team at Sustainable ABQ was formed with the goal of making a better world for our kids and grand kids. Thank you for partnering with us to meet our goal..." - Chere Hartman
homeadvisor.com - Going green is not just some kind of catch phrase that people around the world are using: It is a real way to save the planet's environment and save your family money as well. Most people do not realize how financially beneficial it can be to learn how to recycle or conserve energy. By following some easy tips, any family can take part in the green revolution and do its part for the greater good.
· Recycling
· Composting
· Water Conservation
· Energy Conservation
· Cleaning Supplies
· Water conservation.
Verizon Old Mobile Device Trade-In/Recycle Program
This program helps the environment by providing a safe way to dispose of unwanted electronic devices. They even accept non-working devices and the parts will be recycled and used to generate funds for non-profit domestic violence advocacy and prevention agencies. Additionally, there is an incentive to receive a gift card with each donation. A great explanation of the program can be found here:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/landingpages/device-trade-in/
Vistadelvalle.com - A very special place awaits the traveler in search for the perfect destination to experience the beauty of Costa Rica. At Vista del Valle, our goal is to create a worry-free haven of quiet and natural beauty for our guests. Guests may explore acres of tropical botanical gardens, a working coffee and orange plantation, observe exotic birds, butterflies, enjoy our own private preserve, and other natural wonders.
Elpuente-thebridge.org - We offer educational assistance, food, and microloans mainly to indigenous people in Costa Rica.
Cvnfarm.org - a 501(c)(3) New Mexico corporation whose mission is to serve adults with mental health needs in a safe, caring and culturally responsive therapeutic farm community.
rasurinternational.org - The mission of the Rasur Foundation is for every Costa Rican child to learn to pass the skills of “feeling peace” and “speaking peace” to the next generation. They use the Peace Army Way, a combination of HeartMath and Nonviolent Communication as the method for teaching these skills.
UrbanEcos.com - Green building design and solar sustainable homes - in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Solving the energy crisis - one building at a time: UrbanEcos - designers of custom green homes and high-performance commercial space.
homeadvisor.com - Going green is not just some kind of catch phrase that people around the world are using: It is a real way to save the planet's environment and save your family money as well. Most people do not realize how financially beneficial it can be to learn how to recycle or conserve energy. By following some easy tips, any family can take part in the green revolution and do its part for the greater good.
· Recycling
· Composting
· Water Conservation
· Energy Conservation
· Cleaning Supplies
· Water conservation.
Verizon Old Mobile Device Trade-In/Recycle Program
This program helps the environment by providing a safe way to dispose of unwanted electronic devices. They even accept non-working devices and the parts will be recycled and used to generate funds for non-profit domestic violence advocacy and prevention agencies. Additionally, there is an incentive to receive a gift card with each donation. A great explanation of the program can be found here:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/landingpages/device-trade-in/
Vistadelvalle.com - A very special place awaits the traveler in search for the perfect destination to experience the beauty of Costa Rica. At Vista del Valle, our goal is to create a worry-free haven of quiet and natural beauty for our guests. Guests may explore acres of tropical botanical gardens, a working coffee and orange plantation, observe exotic birds, butterflies, enjoy our own private preserve, and other natural wonders.
Elpuente-thebridge.org - We offer educational assistance, food, and microloans mainly to indigenous people in Costa Rica.
Cvnfarm.org - a 501(c)(3) New Mexico corporation whose mission is to serve adults with mental health needs in a safe, caring and culturally responsive therapeutic farm community.
rasurinternational.org - The mission of the Rasur Foundation is for every Costa Rican child to learn to pass the skills of “feeling peace” and “speaking peace” to the next generation. They use the Peace Army Way, a combination of HeartMath and Nonviolent Communication as the method for teaching these skills.
UrbanEcos.com - Green building design and solar sustainable homes - in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Solving the energy crisis - one building at a time: UrbanEcos - designers of custom green homes and high-performance commercial space.
