The community reality
June 11, 2009
It is a great time to be alive and thinking about things (observing changes). Now is really a tipping point for technology, community-led social change, and world progress in an economic sense. In this post I explain some of the projects I have found myself in here, and how they fit into a bigger picture. You know Agua Buena from my last post and [this link], now here is the present situation.
The big thing happening among the cooperative´s farmers is the transition to a certification. Be that an own-brand sustainability mark, Rainforest Alliance shade-grown, or organic certification, it would mean revival of the community. The new coffee roasters have agreed to work with the cooperative on a long-term basis to support the capacity to certify, but certification is a long process of organization-level and farm-level work. It then guarantees them a booming market to sell: Costa Rica Organic.
It turns out it is hard work to build up a coffee cooperative to that level, and therefore the hardest thing is even getting started. I will be writing a cost-benefit analysis for them for the cert.
Along with this analysis, my other work has me building a medicinal garden and worm compost bin with the other interns. We hope to build inclusive with community involvement so that it can be kept in use after our departure.
Finally, the social business team has been working on a big-scale business plan for enduring impact. This mission-statement approach looks at what the problem is and how we are going to solve it. Our job will be using the market to help people. If you are interested in being part of the drafting process, please email at eddiemill@gmail.com or facebook message Eddie Miller.
Projects aside, I set my goal this summer as helping just one farmer. Going out to the farm a few times might affect building a biodigestor, a seed nursery or organic shade layer. It is important to not just have the office work but also a real connection the the land. This is the kind of work I am about in my off time being a student. When the shovel meets the ground… I´ll be there. Life with a purpose is really the only choice to make right now. Get started researching your passion!
Who have you really reached out to recently? (I take the time to write these because I want to touch my readers and inspire social change.) Try to make one person´s life better per day.
Entry Filed under: organic. Tags: community, CostaRica, plan, projects, research.
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