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EARTH University leads regenerative organic agriculture project

Initiative seeks to benefit dozens of farmers in the cocoa sector.

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, June 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – EARTH University is pleased to have launched a new project that will integrate and promote regenerative organic practices in small cocoa farms in Costa Delicious. The project is being implemented by EARTH and funded by Patagonia, a US company that supports environmental organizations with bold, direct-action agendas aimed at building an equitable, inclusive, and diverse environmental movement.

By implementing the regenerative principles in one of EARTH's model farms on the Guácimo campus and implementing a participatory and holistic training model, the initiative seeks to strengthen the knowledge of 50 cocoa-producing families in the province of Limón. The training program will address topics such as soil health and land management, animal welfare and equity of farmers and workers, while promoting the use of good agricultural practices for the production of organic crops and the regeneration of the soil.

The initiative will be implemented in three phases: (1) strengthen regenerative practices at EARTH's Integrated Organic Farm and create and adapt training tools; (2) with the support of EARTH Futures, EARTH University's global solutions center that promotes positive transformation and empowerment of communities, identifying and selecting farmers to participate in the training program and; (3) hold participatory workshops with farmers, under the supervision and experience of the academic program.

“We are delighted to support the important work of EARTH University in bringing regenerative organic practices to these small cocoa farms in Costa Rica. This effort is a model for farmers who see the need to get away from chemicals and therefore are respecting the natural ecosystem that will improve the health of their own farms and communities, ” said Birgit Cameron, Director of Patagonia Provisions.

EARTH's experience with cocoa producers is extensive:

  • The Caribbean Cacao Platform was created in 2017, made up of 300 members (60% of the cocoa sector) who seek to accelerate the transition to a green economy, promote sustainability throughout the cocoa supply chain, and drive efficiency in crop production.

  • In 2018, EARTH participated with the Platform for the creation of the National Cocoa Plan 2018-2028, led by the Ministry of Agriculture.

  • EARTH is currently working in partnership with the USAID Office. of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID / ASHA) to build a cocoa processing laboratory that will promote best practices in entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability.

The Caribbean is the region of the country with the highest concentration of cocoa crops. For this reason, cocoa producers and their families play an important role not only in production, but also as actors that promote environmental protection and soil regeneration.

Thanks to the support of Patagonia, the practice of regenerative organic agriculture will contribute to the strengthening and recovery of the soil in cocoa farms, addressing the impact of the use of chemicals on the soil and supporting the mitigation of climate change.

“We are delighted to implement this project with the support of Patagonia. EARTH's strengths will be leveraged for the benefit of small farmers in the Huetar Caribe region. With this initiative we will work in collaboration with farmers so that they learn, improve their production and take advantage of agricultural inputs using regenerative principles ”, said Mauricio Segura, Project Director.

During the last thirty years, EARTH has been a leader in sustainable agriculture and environmental protection practices, basing all its efforts on the fundamental values ​​that constitute the foundation of the institution: ethical behavior, sustainable development, search for knowledge, social conscience and academic excellence. .

About EARTH
EARTH is a private, international, non-profit university dedicated to comprehensive education with a degree in Agricultural Science Engineering. The University prepares leaders with ethical values ​​that will contribute to sustainable development and to build a more just and prosperous society. Most of its students come from rural areas, essential places for the future of humanity.

About Patagonia
For almost 40 years, Patagonia has supported groups working to find solutions to environmental problems. crisis. Patagonia supports environmental organizations with bold direct action agendas and a commitment to long-term change. The company supports innovative work that addresses the root causes of the environmental crisis and seeks to protect both the environment and affected communities.

For more information, contact us at

Connie Burgos: coburgos@earth.ac.cr

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