Agriculture in the CloudsAgriculture in the Clouds

By: Lianne ForresterBy: Lianne Forrester

Armstrong Barratt CullenArmstrong Barratt Cullen

Nick CapezzeraNick Capezzera

Non-traditional AgricultureNon-traditional AgriculturePostwar TransformationPostwar Transformation-Traditional Export face challengesTraditional Export face challenges-Growing middle sectorGrowing middle sector-Expansion of agricultural exportsExpansion of agricultural exports-Integration of agricultural exports into the international marketIntegration of agricultural exports into the international market

Non-traditional Exports (NTXs)Non-traditional Exports (NTXs)-U.S assistance via AIDU.S assistance via AID-Non-traditional agriculture export booms in Costa RicaNon-traditional agriculture export booms in Costa Rica-Environmental DegradationEnvironmental Degradation

-Soil erosionSoil erosion-DeforestationDeforestation-Exhaustion Exhaustion -PesticidesPesticides

Agro-Export development ModelAgro-Export development Model-Harmful effects of agricultural export expansion-Harmful effects of agricultural export expansion-Diminished quality of life for peasants-Diminished quality of life for peasants-Asian success in export-led development model-Asian success in export-led development model-Costa Rican success in export led development model-Costa Rican success in export led development model

Agriculture in MonteverdeAgriculture in MonteverdePeople living with NaturePeople living with Nature-Differing views on how to use natural resources-Differing views on how to use natural resources-Differing views on defined sustainable agriculture-Differing views on defined sustainable agriculture

-agree it’s good-agree it’s good-disagree on the meaning-disagree on the meaning

-Ecocentric Agriculture-Ecocentric Agriculture-Green Productionist-Green Productionist-Agrarian Sociocentric-Agrarian Sociocentric

Agricultural Environment in MonteverdeAgricultural Environment in Monteverde-upland area:- specialized dairy farms-upland area:- specialized dairy farms-lowland area:- beef and dual-purpose operations-lowland area:- beef and dual-purpose operations-Seasonal Challenges-Seasonal Challenges

-Dry Season:- strong trade winds-Dry Season:- strong trade winds - high winds- high winds

- heat- heat - irrigation- irrigation

-Wet Season:- heavy rains-Wet Season:- heavy rains - prolonged rains - prolonged rains

Factors influencing early agricultural developmentFactors influencing early agricultural development-1950s Quaker settlers-1950s Quaker settlers-improved road conditions-improved road conditions-“export agriculture”-“export agriculture”

-cheese-cheese-beef -beef

Dairy Industry HistoryDairy Industry History Quaker farmers moved from Iowa and Alabama in 1950Quaker farmers moved from Iowa and Alabama in 1950

European dairy production and management techniques.European dairy production and management techniques. Deforestation prior to 1950 and after until 1980. Deforestation prior to 1950 and after until 1980.

Burned organic material added nutrients to the land which helped early production.Burned organic material added nutrients to the land which helped early production. 1970’s milk production declined due to low soil fertility and the plants 1970’s milk production declined due to low soil fertility and the plants

susceptibility to pests. susceptibility to pests. Change Change

Used Star Grass Used Star Grass Used rotational grazingUsed rotational grazing Used grain feed and fertilizerUsed grain feed and fertilizer Improved genetics and health of their cowsImproved genetics and health of their cows

1980’s Costa Rica’s Central Bank ran out of money to buy imported goods.1980’s Costa Rica’s Central Bank ran out of money to buy imported goods. Minimal use of fertilizerMinimal use of fertilizer

Low production rate in deforested land before 1960.Low production rate in deforested land before 1960. Production remained on more recently deforested areas.Production remained on more recently deforested areas. No change in production for farms using fertilizer and grain. No change in production for farms using fertilizer and grain.

1990’s production returned and by the mid 90’s it was the most important 1990’s production returned and by the mid 90’s it was the most important agricultural industry in the area. agricultural industry in the area.

The Five Impacts of Dairy FarmingThe Five Impacts of Dairy Farming

DeforestationDeforestation ErosionErosion Loss of BiodiversityLoss of Biodiversity

Manure ManagementManure Management Pesticide ManagementPesticide Management

Areas to ImproveAreas to Improve

Manure ManagementManure Management Fertilizer ManagementFertilizer Management Feed and Mineral Feed and Mineral

SupplementsSupplements Cut FeedsCut Feeds Alternative ForagesAlternative Forages Pest ManagementPest Management WindbreaksWindbreaks Metal Fence postsMetal Fence posts Genetic ImprovementGenetic Improvement

Lowland IndustryLowland Industry

Dual-purpose Farms have both milk and beef cowsDual-purpose Farms have both milk and beef cows Beef farmsBeef farms

Erosion from Beef/Dual-purposeErosion from Beef/Dual-purpose

Differences from Dairy Differences from Dairy Industry Industry

Differences between Differences between Atlantic and Pacific Atlantic and Pacific Slope Slope

Sustainable ImprovementsSustainable Improvements

Forage ManagementForage Management Animal NutritionAnimal Nutrition Animal GeneticsAnimal Genetics Herd HealthHerd Health ReforestationReforestation

History and DevelopmentHistory and Development

Agro-ecology of CoffeeAgro-ecology of Coffee

Sustainability of Coffee productionSustainability of Coffee production

Organic Coffee ProductionOrganic Coffee Production

Other CropsOther Crops

Commercial Vegetable, Fruits, and HerbsCommercial Vegetable, Fruits, and Herbs

Sustainability of Other CropsSustainability of Other Crops

Organic Vegetable ProductionOrganic Vegetable Production

Livestock and FowlLivestock and Fowl

Commercial PoultryCommercial Poultry

Commercial Hog RaisingCommercial Hog Raising

OverviewOverview

+ side of coffee production in Monteverde+ side of coffee production in Monteverde

Poultry, and + hog productionPoultry, and + hog production

Directions for future research – Directions for future research – Coffee, vegetables, SourceCoffee, vegetables, Source