*Photo Credits Lupo Passero and Mimi Hernandez
Centro Ashé
Costa Rica Grassroots Plant Healers Tour
with Mimi Hernandez and Lupo Passero
Participants Earn an Introduction to Community Herbalism Certificate
February 3-10, 2014 (7 nights)
Overview:
Join us in tropical Costa Rica for an incredible week of breathtaking natural beauty while exploring grassroots approaches to herbalism and plant healing. This tour will bring you in contact with some of the most incredible botanical gardens and sanctuaries, the depths of the Costa Rican jungles, as well as the beauty of the infamous coastlines. You will have classes with local herbalists, learn traditional cooking incorporating herbs, hike with local naturalists, and have incredible workshops with the wonderful Mimi Hernandez MS, RH (AHG) and Lupo Passero of Twin Star Herbal Education. On top of all that we'll make sure you have time to relax and enjoy the peaceful beaches of the Caribbean Coast. The trip will primarily be rooted in Talamanca a region on the South Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, an area home to several of the countries indigenous peoples including the BriBri, Cabecar, Kekoldi, and as well as Afro-Costa Rican communities. You will have a chance to learn traditional medicine from various local communities. We are rooted in supporting the local economy in Talamanca, and during the trip you will be staying at locally owned hotel, and visiting all locally owned and operated projects and businesses. Upon completion of the tour participants will earn an Introduction to Community Herbalism Certificate. A limit of 18 participants will be accepted and we anticipate filling up fast.
Registration and Cost Information Click Here
Travel Information Click Here
Itinerary:
Day 1 ~ Monday February 3, 2014
5:00pm Group Meets at Cabinas Bucus in Manzanillo, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Brief Tour of Manzanillo
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Group Opening ~ Orientation
*Dinner is included on this day
* If you have chosen to take the private bus (additional $50 to trip) down from San Jose to Manzanillo the bus will leave at 12 noon from in front of Costa Rica Backpackers/Costa Rica Guesthouse in San Jose. You will most likely need to fly into San Jose the day before and stay the night at one of the recommended hotels on the travel information page.
Day 2 ~ Tuesday February 4, 2014
7:30 am Gentle Yoga and Chakra Meditation with Lupo
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 Herbal Energetics, Taste and Understand with MimiEvery herbalist should begin with an understanding of taste and activity. You can tell a lot about what an herb does both
physically and energetically based on the way it tastes and feels in your mouth. What does astringent taste like? How does that tightening feeling lead to healing? What about herbs with an aromatic flavor, what do they all tend to have in common? We will learn how that bitter taste gets the juices flowing, the sour herbs can be awakening, and the spicy herbs, of course have a lot to tell
us!
12:00 Lunch & Free Time
2:00pm The Doctrine of Signatures with Lupo Passero
The Doctrine of signatures is based upon the spiritual concept that all medicinal plants have been marked with a sign, by the hand of our creator. The Doctrine states that by careful observations one can learn the uses of a plant from some aspect of its form or place of growing. The plant may resemble the disease, organ or person for which it is remedial. Signatures can come to us through all of our senses- sight, sound, taste, smell and touch.Workshop with Mimi: Herbal Energetics, Taste and Understand
6:00 Caribbean Cooking Class with Andy Cook Campbell and Dinner!
*Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included on this day.
Day 3 ~ Wednesday February 5, 2014
7:30am Gentle Yoga and Chakra Meditation with Lupo
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 am Leave to visit El Yue Women’s Cooperative Medicinal Plant Farm and Nursery and Lunch
1:00pm Depart for visit with Ulyssis, BriBri Indigenous Plant Healer and Lunch
Return to Manzanillo
Free Evening
*Breakfast and lunch are provided on this day.
Day 4 ~ Thursday February 6, 2014
7:00 Breakfast
7:45 Jungle Hike with local naturalist Omar Cook Campbell in Gandoca/Manzanillo Reserve
12:00 Group Lunch
1:30 Workshop with Mimi : Berries! A Panacea for Community Health
If we all ate berries everyday life would be sweet! Berries are sweet yet their low glycemic activity and their bright colors suggest the presence of potent antioxidant compounds. Berries can have a significant impact on the health of our blood vessels, our eyes, and even our brain. Ingredients in many berries can prevent cancer, autoimmune disease, and can support those with conditions like ADD and
ADHD making them truly regenerative for people of all ages!
4:00 The Kitchen Herbalist with Mimi Hernandez
Now we venture into the kitchen in search of medicinal ingredients. Chocolate anyone?? Cayenne, Garlic, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Black Pepper,Paprika… Did you know that these & other common household spices from around the world are great to have on hand for household ailments? Find out how to incorporate kitchen herbalism into your daily lifestyle to boost immunity and prevent heart disease, diabetes, arthritis.
6:30 - Group Dinner
*Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided this day
Day 5 ~ Friday February 7, 2014
7:45 am Breakfast
8:30 Trip - BriBri Traditions in Health Tour with Catato
12:00 noon am Lunch and workshop with Veronica - Local Afro-Caribbean Herbalist and Restaurant Owner
6:30 pm Group Dinner in Manzanillo
*Breakfast, lunch, dinner are included on this day.
Day 6 ~ Saturday February 8, 2014
8:00am Breakfast
9:00 am – Farmers Market in Puerto Viejo
FREE DAY/NIGHT
Day 7 ~ Sunday February 9, 2014
8:00 Gentle Yoga and Chakra Meditation with Lupo
9:00 am Breakfast
9:30 Medicine Making Workshop with Lupo and Molly
Free for lunch/afternoon
6:00 Manzanillo Despedida Dinner/Closing
*Breakfast and dinner are provided on this day.
Day 8~ Monday February 10, 2014
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Group Bus back to San Jose - (additional $50) arrives at 2:00pm.
You may find yourself accomadations to stay in San Jose that evening and fly out the next day or continue your travels on your own. Find recommendations for places to stay on the Travel Information page.
About Mimi Hernandez:
"Mimi is the best teacher in the world. Her lessons still genuinely resonate in my mind every single day I am at work in the health and wellness department at the Living Earth. If you have never taken a class from her and you are interested in botanical medicine, you should check out her workshops!" Sara Bloomfield, former student.
"Mimi is an awesome teacher covering a broad spectrum of topics that give the student holistic understanding of plants, healing and medicine!” Addie McDermott, Earthroots, former student.
Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH(AHG) is a clinical herbalist and educator whose courses balance traditional reverence with scientific understanding and intuitive awareness. She is also the Outreach Coordinator of the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies at Frostburg State University where she teaches ethnobotany and coordinates Frostburg Grows, an EPA supported local foods greenhouse initiative. A member of the governing council of the American Herbalists Guild, Mimi received her Master of Science in Herbal Medicine from the Tai Sophia Institute. With roots in Asheville, NC, Mimi is a founder of the One World Healing Arts Institute and continues to offer online community herbalist certificate courses. She also draws upon her rich ethnic background & the Latin American Granny healers in her life. Mimi believes that the handing down of plant wisdom is essential. She enjoys nature time, especially waterfalls, creeks, and oceans. Mimi's a mom of two cool and unique kids, Anais and Evan.
About Lupo Passero:
Intimately connected with the plant world from an early age, Lupo Passero has studied botanical medicine from a variety of perspectives. A mother twice blessed, Lupo has a first hand passion for helping the family enjoy healthy and holistic experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Her humble beginning with herbs and flower essences in her own life inspired her to learn more and go on to teach others. Lupo spent over a decade developing an intimate relationship to the diverse medicinal plants of the Appalachians Mountains of North Carolina, where she studied at the North Carolina School of Natural Healing.
Lupo began her career in herbal education offering classes and workshops on traditional herbalism and flower essences at various institutions (including The Appalachian School of Holistic Herbalism and The One World Healing Institute). Her classes involve a variety of topics including folk history, modern botanical science, plant identification and making herbal remedies. She is the founder of Twin Star Herbal Education which offers numerous ongoing courses, interweaving herbal medicine, energy healing, yoga and traditional spiritual practice (www.twinstarherbal.com).
In addition, Lupo has worked closely within the Natural Products Industry for over 15 years specializing in both education and customer care. She has worked as the staff herbalist at several popular health food stores and currently works with one of the industry's most reputuble supplement and vitamin companies. Lupo is considered a valuable leader in this field and combines her work by educating both consumers and retailers of the proper, efficacious, and safe uses of herb, food and vitamin supplements.
Lupo recently retired as a two term Secretary and board member of the American Herbalist Guild, an organization pioneering professional modern herbalism. She lives in New Milford CT with her two much loved children. She is the also the director of Twin Star Healing Collective, a local center for integrative and alternative natural therapies. When she is not traveling and teaching she can be found in the woods or practicing yoga, almost always with her camera in hand. She can be contacted at [email protected]
About Molly Meehan
Molly Meehan has spent much of the last several years working in sustainable agriculture in Talamanca, Costa Rica and working for such organizations as Punta Mona Center for Sustainable Living and Education, Foro Emaus an organization doing advocacy on the workers rights as well as environmental issues on the banana plantations in Costa Rica, and ANDAR a small women's cooperative organic medicinal plant farm located in Guapiles, Costa Rica. She also coordinated internship as well and group tour programs for Punta Mona for several years. Molly studied at the Self Heal School for Herbal Medicine with John Finch in Ocean Beach, California and later went on to attend herbal medicine education with instructors such as Sage Maurer in Vermont, Phyllis D Light, Zahra Ray Allen, and more. Most recently Molly received her Masters Degree in Sustainable International Development from the School for International Training in Vermont, and her thesis work focused on Food Sovereignty in Talamanca, Costa Rica. She has a strong dedication to social, ecological and economic justice and is passionate about sustainable food systems. Molly currently studies with Kathleen Meier and the amazing faculty at Sacred Plant Traditions in Charlottesville, VA. Molly works doing community outreach and education as well as coordinating various food justice programs at the Accokeek Foundation located outside Washington DC. She also helps coordinate Centro Ashé programs including a bookclub, local seeds exchanges, as well as local foods programming in Costa Rica. More information can be found on www.centroashe.org
Reviews of Past Centro Ashé Costa Rica Tours:
Reviews of the 2011 Roots and Culture Tour:
"This tour is not for those who just want to "check out" on vacation - its for the conscious traveler, those who seek to learn to help improve their world when they return home. They will not return unrelaxed or disappointed but instead enriched, centered, and passionate about this gorgeous Costa Rican region less-traveled."
"This was my first trip to Costa Rica and I could not imagine visiting any other location in this country other than Talamanca and Manzanillo. After my 5 days here I admit to being a "square" farmer. This trip and the Roots and Culture Tour has changed my practice to being a "circle" farmer forever. Incredible. Thank you!"
**Square farming was referred to by Gonzalo Moreno of Finca Loroco as a broken and disconnected approach to farmer, where as circle has no end, is a constant flow of interrelationships.
"The Roots and Culture Tour embodies the beauty that is Talamanca and its people. From eating a fresh coconut, to hiking to an edible integrated farm while the guide tells wildlife jokes, to howler monkeys ("natural alarm clocks"), those are only a few of the amazing experiences to be had on this soulful, educational, and foodalicious adventure in Costa Rica."
"The tour, knowledge, and discussion with Molly, Popeye, Omar and the other hosts have completly changed my perspective on sustainable farming practices. Thank you!"
Molly and Popeye and Omar are full of endless knowledge . . . I could listen forever."
Review of 2012 Roots and Culture Tour:
January 10, 2012: Climate Change and YOU Can Make a Difference!Blog by Rural Coalition’s Bryn Bird
http://ruralco.org/blogs/january-10-2012-climate-change-and-you-can-make-a-difference
"I returned from a wonderful time in Costa Rica with Centro Ashe. It was certainly life affirming. The experience reminded me again why I am so passionate about my work with Rural Coalition and about the consumer choices I make every day that affects millions around the world. It was really amazing to see the parallel issues affecting Costa Rica and the United States. Molly took us to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica and we learned of the racial tensions that remain and the struggle for the region’s indigenous farmers. It was unreal talking to farmers who have watched climate change in the past 10 years drastically affect their lives. The indigenous farmers at each farm we went to were all concerned because the Chinese fruit was blooming in January when it should be dormant. Each farmer we visited was sure to tell us that climate change is at the top of his or her concerns. For me the parallels were summed up when one farmer said, "I was told I could only grow bananas and survive as a farmer." It made me think of my family being told, "You have to grow corn to survive." This farmer went against the grain and was growing anything but bananas!! He even had carrots.... in Costa Rica!!!!
However, we were constantly given hope that we could make a difference here in the states each day with our purchasing power. I learned first-hand that buying co-operative coffee, chocolate, bananas, and other products really helps small farmers stay on their land. We met a group of 1,200 producers who grow organic/sustainable chocolate they sell to Switzerland and banana puree to Gerber! It made me realize I can have a direct impact on the market and world with my money. I am now eager to educate others on this.
If you all ever have a chance to join Centro Ashe for the trip it is an amazing experience and a side of Costa Rica most will never experience. It was like I knew a secret after spending a week in a village of 250 who only got electricity in the '90's! I would have blissfully stayed forever growing my organic bananas!!"
Join us in tropical Costa Rica for an incredible week of breathtaking natural beauty while exploring grassroots approaches to herbalism and plant healing. This tour will bring you in contact with some of the most incredible botanical gardens and sanctuaries, the depths of the Costa Rican jungles, as well as the beauty of the infamous coastlines. You will have classes with local herbalists, learn traditional cooking incorporating herbs, hike with local naturalists, and have incredible workshops with the wonderful Mimi Hernandez MS, RH (AHG) and Lupo Passero of Twin Star Herbal Education. On top of all that we'll make sure you have time to relax and enjoy the peaceful beaches of the Caribbean Coast. The trip will primarily be rooted in Talamanca a region on the South Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, an area home to several of the countries indigenous peoples including the BriBri, Cabecar, Kekoldi, and as well as Afro-Costa Rican communities. You will have a chance to learn traditional medicine from various local communities. We are rooted in supporting the local economy in Talamanca, and during the trip you will be staying at locally owned hotel, and visiting all locally owned and operated projects and businesses. Upon completion of the tour participants will earn an Introduction to Community Herbalism Certificate. A limit of 18 participants will be accepted and we anticipate filling up fast.
Registration and Cost Information Click Here
Travel Information Click Here
Itinerary:
Day 1 ~ Monday February 3, 2014
5:00pm Group Meets at Cabinas Bucus in Manzanillo, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Brief Tour of Manzanillo
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Group Opening ~ Orientation
*Dinner is included on this day
* If you have chosen to take the private bus (additional $50 to trip) down from San Jose to Manzanillo the bus will leave at 12 noon from in front of Costa Rica Backpackers/Costa Rica Guesthouse in San Jose. You will most likely need to fly into San Jose the day before and stay the night at one of the recommended hotels on the travel information page.
Day 2 ~ Tuesday February 4, 2014
7:30 am Gentle Yoga and Chakra Meditation with Lupo
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 Herbal Energetics, Taste and Understand with MimiEvery herbalist should begin with an understanding of taste and activity. You can tell a lot about what an herb does both
physically and energetically based on the way it tastes and feels in your mouth. What does astringent taste like? How does that tightening feeling lead to healing? What about herbs with an aromatic flavor, what do they all tend to have in common? We will learn how that bitter taste gets the juices flowing, the sour herbs can be awakening, and the spicy herbs, of course have a lot to tell
us!
12:00 Lunch & Free Time
2:00pm The Doctrine of Signatures with Lupo Passero
The Doctrine of signatures is based upon the spiritual concept that all medicinal plants have been marked with a sign, by the hand of our creator. The Doctrine states that by careful observations one can learn the uses of a plant from some aspect of its form or place of growing. The plant may resemble the disease, organ or person for which it is remedial. Signatures can come to us through all of our senses- sight, sound, taste, smell and touch.Workshop with Mimi: Herbal Energetics, Taste and Understand
6:00 Caribbean Cooking Class with Andy Cook Campbell and Dinner!
*Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included on this day.
Day 3 ~ Wednesday February 5, 2014
7:30am Gentle Yoga and Chakra Meditation with Lupo
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 am Leave to visit El Yue Women’s Cooperative Medicinal Plant Farm and Nursery and Lunch
1:00pm Depart for visit with Ulyssis, BriBri Indigenous Plant Healer and Lunch
Return to Manzanillo
Free Evening
*Breakfast and lunch are provided on this day.
Day 4 ~ Thursday February 6, 2014
7:00 Breakfast
7:45 Jungle Hike with local naturalist Omar Cook Campbell in Gandoca/Manzanillo Reserve
12:00 Group Lunch
1:30 Workshop with Mimi : Berries! A Panacea for Community Health
If we all ate berries everyday life would be sweet! Berries are sweet yet their low glycemic activity and their bright colors suggest the presence of potent antioxidant compounds. Berries can have a significant impact on the health of our blood vessels, our eyes, and even our brain. Ingredients in many berries can prevent cancer, autoimmune disease, and can support those with conditions like ADD and
ADHD making them truly regenerative for people of all ages!
4:00 The Kitchen Herbalist with Mimi Hernandez
Now we venture into the kitchen in search of medicinal ingredients. Chocolate anyone?? Cayenne, Garlic, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Black Pepper,Paprika… Did you know that these & other common household spices from around the world are great to have on hand for household ailments? Find out how to incorporate kitchen herbalism into your daily lifestyle to boost immunity and prevent heart disease, diabetes, arthritis.
6:30 - Group Dinner
*Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided this day
Day 5 ~ Friday February 7, 2014
7:45 am Breakfast
8:30 Trip - BriBri Traditions in Health Tour with Catato
12:00 noon am Lunch and workshop with Veronica - Local Afro-Caribbean Herbalist and Restaurant Owner
6:30 pm Group Dinner in Manzanillo
*Breakfast, lunch, dinner are included on this day.
Day 6 ~ Saturday February 8, 2014
8:00am Breakfast
9:00 am – Farmers Market in Puerto Viejo
FREE DAY/NIGHT
Day 7 ~ Sunday February 9, 2014
8:00 Gentle Yoga and Chakra Meditation with Lupo
9:00 am Breakfast
9:30 Medicine Making Workshop with Lupo and Molly
Free for lunch/afternoon
6:00 Manzanillo Despedida Dinner/Closing
*Breakfast and dinner are provided on this day.
Day 8~ Monday February 10, 2014
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Group Bus back to San Jose - (additional $50) arrives at 2:00pm.
You may find yourself accomadations to stay in San Jose that evening and fly out the next day or continue your travels on your own. Find recommendations for places to stay on the Travel Information page.
About Mimi Hernandez:
"Mimi is the best teacher in the world. Her lessons still genuinely resonate in my mind every single day I am at work in the health and wellness department at the Living Earth. If you have never taken a class from her and you are interested in botanical medicine, you should check out her workshops!" Sara Bloomfield, former student.
"Mimi is an awesome teacher covering a broad spectrum of topics that give the student holistic understanding of plants, healing and medicine!” Addie McDermott, Earthroots, former student.
Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH(AHG) is a clinical herbalist and educator whose courses balance traditional reverence with scientific understanding and intuitive awareness. She is also the Outreach Coordinator of the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies at Frostburg State University where she teaches ethnobotany and coordinates Frostburg Grows, an EPA supported local foods greenhouse initiative. A member of the governing council of the American Herbalists Guild, Mimi received her Master of Science in Herbal Medicine from the Tai Sophia Institute. With roots in Asheville, NC, Mimi is a founder of the One World Healing Arts Institute and continues to offer online community herbalist certificate courses. She also draws upon her rich ethnic background & the Latin American Granny healers in her life. Mimi believes that the handing down of plant wisdom is essential. She enjoys nature time, especially waterfalls, creeks, and oceans. Mimi's a mom of two cool and unique kids, Anais and Evan.
About Lupo Passero:
Intimately connected with the plant world from an early age, Lupo Passero has studied botanical medicine from a variety of perspectives. A mother twice blessed, Lupo has a first hand passion for helping the family enjoy healthy and holistic experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Her humble beginning with herbs and flower essences in her own life inspired her to learn more and go on to teach others. Lupo spent over a decade developing an intimate relationship to the diverse medicinal plants of the Appalachians Mountains of North Carolina, where she studied at the North Carolina School of Natural Healing.
Lupo began her career in herbal education offering classes and workshops on traditional herbalism and flower essences at various institutions (including The Appalachian School of Holistic Herbalism and The One World Healing Institute). Her classes involve a variety of topics including folk history, modern botanical science, plant identification and making herbal remedies. She is the founder of Twin Star Herbal Education which offers numerous ongoing courses, interweaving herbal medicine, energy healing, yoga and traditional spiritual practice (www.twinstarherbal.com).
In addition, Lupo has worked closely within the Natural Products Industry for over 15 years specializing in both education and customer care. She has worked as the staff herbalist at several popular health food stores and currently works with one of the industry's most reputuble supplement and vitamin companies. Lupo is considered a valuable leader in this field and combines her work by educating both consumers and retailers of the proper, efficacious, and safe uses of herb, food and vitamin supplements.
Lupo recently retired as a two term Secretary and board member of the American Herbalist Guild, an organization pioneering professional modern herbalism. She lives in New Milford CT with her two much loved children. She is the also the director of Twin Star Healing Collective, a local center for integrative and alternative natural therapies. When she is not traveling and teaching she can be found in the woods or practicing yoga, almost always with her camera in hand. She can be contacted at [email protected]
About Molly Meehan
Molly Meehan has spent much of the last several years working in sustainable agriculture in Talamanca, Costa Rica and working for such organizations as Punta Mona Center for Sustainable Living and Education, Foro Emaus an organization doing advocacy on the workers rights as well as environmental issues on the banana plantations in Costa Rica, and ANDAR a small women's cooperative organic medicinal plant farm located in Guapiles, Costa Rica. She also coordinated internship as well and group tour programs for Punta Mona for several years. Molly studied at the Self Heal School for Herbal Medicine with John Finch in Ocean Beach, California and later went on to attend herbal medicine education with instructors such as Sage Maurer in Vermont, Phyllis D Light, Zahra Ray Allen, and more. Most recently Molly received her Masters Degree in Sustainable International Development from the School for International Training in Vermont, and her thesis work focused on Food Sovereignty in Talamanca, Costa Rica. She has a strong dedication to social, ecological and economic justice and is passionate about sustainable food systems. Molly currently studies with Kathleen Meier and the amazing faculty at Sacred Plant Traditions in Charlottesville, VA. Molly works doing community outreach and education as well as coordinating various food justice programs at the Accokeek Foundation located outside Washington DC. She also helps coordinate Centro Ashé programs including a bookclub, local seeds exchanges, as well as local foods programming in Costa Rica. More information can be found on www.centroashe.org
Reviews of Past Centro Ashé Costa Rica Tours:
Reviews of the 2011 Roots and Culture Tour:
"This tour is not for those who just want to "check out" on vacation - its for the conscious traveler, those who seek to learn to help improve their world when they return home. They will not return unrelaxed or disappointed but instead enriched, centered, and passionate about this gorgeous Costa Rican region less-traveled."
"This was my first trip to Costa Rica and I could not imagine visiting any other location in this country other than Talamanca and Manzanillo. After my 5 days here I admit to being a "square" farmer. This trip and the Roots and Culture Tour has changed my practice to being a "circle" farmer forever. Incredible. Thank you!"
**Square farming was referred to by Gonzalo Moreno of Finca Loroco as a broken and disconnected approach to farmer, where as circle has no end, is a constant flow of interrelationships.
"The Roots and Culture Tour embodies the beauty that is Talamanca and its people. From eating a fresh coconut, to hiking to an edible integrated farm while the guide tells wildlife jokes, to howler monkeys ("natural alarm clocks"), those are only a few of the amazing experiences to be had on this soulful, educational, and foodalicious adventure in Costa Rica."
"The tour, knowledge, and discussion with Molly, Popeye, Omar and the other hosts have completly changed my perspective on sustainable farming practices. Thank you!"
Molly and Popeye and Omar are full of endless knowledge . . . I could listen forever."
Review of 2012 Roots and Culture Tour:
January 10, 2012: Climate Change and YOU Can Make a Difference!Blog by Rural Coalition’s Bryn Bird
http://ruralco.org/blogs/january-10-2012-climate-change-and-you-can-make-a-difference
"I returned from a wonderful time in Costa Rica with Centro Ashe. It was certainly life affirming. The experience reminded me again why I am so passionate about my work with Rural Coalition and about the consumer choices I make every day that affects millions around the world. It was really amazing to see the parallel issues affecting Costa Rica and the United States. Molly took us to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica and we learned of the racial tensions that remain and the struggle for the region’s indigenous farmers. It was unreal talking to farmers who have watched climate change in the past 10 years drastically affect their lives. The indigenous farmers at each farm we went to were all concerned because the Chinese fruit was blooming in January when it should be dormant. Each farmer we visited was sure to tell us that climate change is at the top of his or her concerns. For me the parallels were summed up when one farmer said, "I was told I could only grow bananas and survive as a farmer." It made me think of my family being told, "You have to grow corn to survive." This farmer went against the grain and was growing anything but bananas!! He even had carrots.... in Costa Rica!!!!
However, we were constantly given hope that we could make a difference here in the states each day with our purchasing power. I learned first-hand that buying co-operative coffee, chocolate, bananas, and other products really helps small farmers stay on their land. We met a group of 1,200 producers who grow organic/sustainable chocolate they sell to Switzerland and banana puree to Gerber! It made me realize I can have a direct impact on the market and world with my money. I am now eager to educate others on this.
If you all ever have a chance to join Centro Ashe for the trip it is an amazing experience and a side of Costa Rica most will never experience. It was like I knew a secret after spending a week in a village of 250 who only got electricity in the '90's! I would have blissfully stayed forever growing my organic bananas!!"
