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![Getting there](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_124171448b224496b194c8d89f126e9d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_514,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/ae1de9_124171448b224496b194c8d89f126e9d~mv2.jpg)
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ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
Sol y Valle is a community-run environmental learning center guided by permaculture principles locoated in La Flor de Paraiso, Costa Rica. Since 2018, inspired residents are living and sharing sustainable lifestyle practices in 3.75 acres (1.5ha) of an abandoned fruit and coffee farm. More than half of the farm is protected secondary forest with 50+ year old trees - a breath of fresh air in the heart of Costa Rica's agricultural region. Other areas on the property include a bamboo forest for construction needs, a food forest with over 100 fruit trees, extensive organic gardens for us and friends, and impressive bamboo constructions like the teepee, new cabin and composting center. Our syntropic farming is a biodiverse organic food production model that contrasts greatly with farms using chemicals in their agriculture.
See our mission, vision and values for more information. Our volunteer and apprenticeship programs offer immersive experiences for people who want to learn permaculture and environmental stewardship through practice.
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To learn more about our development, click one of the following images (website) or scroll down (mobile):
![DSC09306.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_e727f8c0793f46c8a3810f2107ffc6a8~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_1268,y_0,w_3464,h_4000/fill/w_155,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/DSC09306_JPG.jpg)
ORGANIC PRODUCE
![Cabana.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_c3059ea11f2a4637a8528fe87ede9add~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_353,y_0,w_1309,h_1512/fill/w_155,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Cabana.jpg)
BIO-CONSTRUCTION
![IMG-20240117-WA0003.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_202279c422f14379bf3ae838c019cf12~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_75,w_1256,h_1450/fill/w_155,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/IMG-20240117-WA0003.jpg)
BIO-CONTROLLERS
![DiseƱo sin tĆtulo (1).png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_13287e624e31405eb6b12f4e5501e329~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_398,y_0,w_936,h_1080/fill/w_155,h_179,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Dise%C3%B1o%20sin%20t%C3%ADtulo%20(1).png)
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY LIVING
![PXL_20240119_123227578~2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_035160f6ef4e4aac90843e0381479da8~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_701,y_0,w_2677,h_3072/fill/w_156,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/PXL_20240119_123227578~2.jpg)
SYNTROPIC
AGRO-FORESTRY
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![Download Hand holding black soil for cultivating crops world soil day concept for free.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_9f12e2f9adc949b3853d96ace41ed050~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_155,y_0,w_424,h_490/fill/w_155,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Download%20Hand%20holding%20black%20soil%20for%20cultivating%20crops%20world%20soil%20day%20concept%20for%20free.jpg)
COMPOST
![FsVMa (9 of 14).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_33e3dd103a9b4368a5b1f217e5da839a~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_794,y_0,w_2574,h_2972/fill/w_155,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/FsVMa%20(9%20of%2014).jpg)
TRAILS FAUNA WATCHING
![50278d08-f6ef-4983-bb11-463f1d5c85ba.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_0a52f574baff4f0bbeb184155b6d6f5d~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_719,y_0,w_2040,h_2268/fill/w_161,h_179,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/50278d08-f6ef-4983-bb11-463f1d5c85ba.jpg)
WELLBEING
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ARTISANAL PRODUCTS
WELL-BEING
PERMACULTURE
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After one year observing natural cycles and repairing the houses (zone 0), we started planting our permaculture zones. Zone 1 includes ~10,000 ft2 (~1,000 m2) of terraced and double-dug garden beds which we amend with homemade compost, forest soil, mulch and bio-fertilizers. Zone 2 includes the composting center, recycling center and tool sheds (chickens soon?!). Zone 3 is our food forest with many types of fruit trees, coffee, bananas, edible vines, and intercropped annuals like yuca, sweet potato, corn, beans, and squash. Zone 4 is the bamboo forest which includes 6 types of bamboo that we use as the main structural element in new construction projects. Finally, zone 5 consists of 2 acres (0.75ha) of secondary forest complete with trails to observe forest processes and large trees like targuas, cepropias, strangler figs, walnuts, cedar, pines, and many native species. We help accelerate natural processes by selective trimming and planting diversity. In 2021, we received a donation of 300 local trees for further reforestation and conservation.
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āOur 2025 sustainability goals:
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1) Harvest more weight in food than we consume.
2) Catch and filter rainwater for all of our drinking and agricultural needs.
3) Gather 90% of our construction materials from the farm.
4) Produce more energy than we consume.
5) Generate zero waste.
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ORGANIC GARDENS & PRODUCE
We sustain beautiful vegetable gardens and rock terraces near the houses to provide a high percentage of our vegetable needs. We harvest dozens of species including delicious salad greens, yuca, tomatoes, eggplants, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, beets, cooking herbs, passionfruit, bananas, and plantains. It is fun and healthy to harvest the day's meals and create tasty dishes! We purchase organic vegetables and fruits from nearby farms to supplement whatever we aren't growing (yet), for a well-balanced and chemical-free vegetarian diet.
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FOREST AND TRAILS
We protect an important secondary tropical forest that is one of the few forests left in our farming region. Home to at least 60 species of birds (including motmots, tucans, orioles, falcons). There are many interesting insects and animals such as armadillos, snakes, kinkajous, and coyotes can sometimes be seen taking refuge around the farm. We interact with the forest by planting and aiding tree growth, maintaining trails, mapping, birdwatching and just being.
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BIO CONSTRUCTION
All our new building-projects such as rainwater collection system, retention walls, recycling center and green house use recycled and natural materials harvested here on the farm. The four main elements we use to achieve structures with nearly 100% biological materials are volcanic rocks (floors, walls, retention walls), bamboo (posts, walls, roofing structures, furniture), earth (walls, flooring) and vetiver grass (roofing).
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HANDMADE PRODUCTS
Most of the vegetables and fruit we eat are harvested in our organic gardens or in the gardens of nearby organic farmers. We prepare amazing vegetarian dishes with homemade sauces - always from high quality ingredients. We make several products for our own consumption and for sale such as Kombucha tea, wholegrain artisan sourdough bread, hot sauce and banana vinegar.
COMPOST, VERMICOMPOST AND HUMANURE
We dedicate time and space to these process to create rich soil for our gardens and fruit trees. These cyclical process help us achieve our zero waste goal.
BIO-CONTROL TECHNIQUES
We practice methods of pest control that are chemical free and wildlife friendly. In our biofactory, we make, mix and apply products to help our plants including bio-fertilizers, fermented manure, chile-ajo, sulfocal broth and more!
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SYNTROPIC AGROFORESTRY
Along with permaculture, we started integrating syntropic agroforestry system (SAFS) techniques into the farm in 2022. Since then, we have improved our local reliance on materials from the farm by utilizing trimmings directly in the planting area. More aggressive pruning of pioneer trees is stimulating growth in those trees while creating an abundance of organic material and also opening sunlight for smaller plants and trees below. We have even reduced pest problems by integrating medicinal cuttings such as lemongrass into the veggie gardens.
ANIMALS
We try to create a wildlife sanctuary and currently do not have any dogs or cats for that reason. We are considering adoption of a physically-challenged dog or cat companion that doesn't put the wildlife in jeopardy. We are considering raising chickens one day.
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ART AND WELL-BEING
Essential aspects for a healthy and sustainable living, we foster space for expression and cultivating awareness and personal development. We like to make time for beautifying surfaces, practicing artisanship, dancing, drumming, fire circles, yoga, hikes, and adventures.
PROGRAMS
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APPRENTICESHIP
VOLUNTEER
TOURISM
Please write us if you are interested in our 6 month apprenticeship program which is focused on preparing students to own or manage a sustainable farm.
Live on the farm and integrate with our residents to learn theory and practice sustainable living daily with our volunteering program. For the most part, volunteers help with whatever is going on at the moment, but please let us know if you have specific interests.
Come and relax in this beautiful, peaceful permaculture farm. Enjoy day trips including Tapanti NP, Guayabo NM, the Orosi valley, hot springs, waterfalls, and hiking with gorgeous valley views.
CUSTOM EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
The community welcomes people who are interested in learning from nature and eager to learn or share their talents and knowledge in this space. If you would like to visit us with a group, have talents that you'd like to share, or want to collaborate on hosting an event at the farm, then please send us a message through our contact form. Some of the workshops, courses and tours that we offer are listed below.
WORKSHOPS, COURSES AND TOURS
These can be organized upon request
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PERMACULTURE
COURSES
FOR STUDENTS
![Cabana.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_c3059ea11f2a4637a8528fe87ede9add~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_552,y_0,w_913,h_1512/fill/w_131,h_217,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Cabana.jpg)
BIO- CONSTRUCTION WITH BAMBOO
![PAN.jfif](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_24582c55a8c9444f8b36970dc7254129~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_82,y_0,w_110,h_183/fill/w_130,h_217,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_auto/PAN_jfif.jpg)
![dnce.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_0b7410b0b57d4ec6add7ab60e1d04900~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_179,y_0,w_518,h_960/fill/w_117,h_217,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/dnce.jpg)
ARTISAN BREADMAKING WORKSHOP
BODY AWARENESS WORKSHOPS
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MEDITATION AND YOGA
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KOMBUCHA
WORKSHOP
![Bosque abajo.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_cb5a6b065bc34bd8b527478fbdbb5032~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_109,y_0,w_863,h_1440/fill/w_130,h_217,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Bosque%20abajo.jpg)
DAY TOUR AT FINCA SOL Y VALLE
![DSCN0004.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_540362573fd54f388d4b7f0a2c2dcc08~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_1097,y_0,w_1806,h_3000/fill/w_131,h_217,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/DSCN0004_JPG.jpg)
![DSCN0731%5B1%5D_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ae1de9_2c77ee893022427ba53aa6b4c3526cf8~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_510,y_0,w_1230,h_2044/fill/w_131,h_217,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/DSCN0731%255B1%255D_edited.jpg)
![Clase de jardinerĆa](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_20dfdb5b971a44cf8f13e07b70612bf9~mv2_d_5121_3417_s_4_2.jpg/v1/crop/x_1532,y_0,w_2057,h_3417/fill/w_131,h_217,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Clase%20de%20jardiner%C3%ADa.jpg)
NIGHT TOUR AT FINCA SOL Y VALLE
TOUR THE TOWN OF LA FLOR
SPANISH AND ENGLISH LESSONS