Agriculture in the Clouds By: Lianne Forrester Armstrong Barratt Cullen Nick Capezzera

Non-traditional Agriculture Postwar Transformation - Traditional Export face challenges - Growing middle sector - Expansion of agricultural exports - Integration of agricultural exports into the international market Non-traditional Exports (NTXs) - U.S assistance via AID - Non-traditional agriculture export booms in Costa Rica - Environmental Degradation - Soil erosion - Deforestation - Exhaustion - Pesticides Agro-Export development Model -Harmful effects of agricultural export expansion -Diminished quality of life for peasants -Asian success in export-led development model -Costa Rican success in export led development model

Agriculture in Monteverde People living with Nature -Differing views on how to use natural resources -Differing views on defined sustainable agriculture -agree it’s good -disagree on the meaning -Ecocentric Agriculture -Green Productionist -Agrarian Sociocentric Agricultural Environment in Monteverde -upland area:- specialized dairy farms -lowland area:- beef and dual-purpose operations -Seasonal Challenges -Dry Season:- strong trade winds - high winds - high winds - heat - heat - irrigation - irrigation -Wet Season:- heavy rains - prolonged rains - prolonged rains Factors influencing early agricultural development -1950s Quaker settlers -improved road conditions -“export agriculture” -cheese-beef

Dairy Industry History Quaker farmers moved from Iowa and Alabama in 1950 Quaker 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 Deforestation prior to 1950 and after until 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 susceptibility to pests. 1970’s milk production declined due to low soil fertility and the plants susceptibility to pests. Change Change Used Star Grass Used Star Grass Used rotational grazing Used rotational grazing Used grain feed and fertilizer Used grain feed and fertilizer Improved genetics and health of their cows Improved 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 fertilizer Minimal use of fertilizer Low production rate in deforested land before Low production rate in deforested land before 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 agricultural industry in the area. 1990’s production returned and by the mid 90’s it was the most important agricultural industry in the area.

The Five Impacts of Dairy Farming Deforestation Deforestation Erosion Erosion Loss of Biodiversity Loss of Biodiversity Manure Management Manure Management Pesticide Management Pesticide Management

Areas to Improve Manure Management Manure Management Fertilizer Management Fertilizer Management Feed and Mineral Supplements Feed and Mineral Supplements Cut Feeds Cut Feeds Alternative Forages Alternative Forages Pest Management Pest Management Windbreaks Windbreaks Metal Fence posts Metal Fence posts Genetic Improvement Genetic Improvement

Lowland Industry Dual-purpose Farms have both milk and beef cows Dual-purpose Farms have both milk and beef cows Beef farms Beef farms

Erosion from Beef/Dual-purpose Differences from Dairy Industry Differences from Dairy Industry Differences between Atlantic and Pacific Slope Differences between Atlantic and Pacific Slope

Sustainable Improvements Forage Management Forage Management Animal Nutrition Animal Nutrition Animal Genetics Animal Genetics Herd Health Herd Health Reforestation Reforestation

History and Development Agro-ecology of Coffee Agro-ecology of Coffee Sustainability of Coffee production Sustainability of Coffee production Organic Coffee Production Organic Coffee Production

Other Crops Commercial Vegetable, Fruits, and Herbs Commercial Vegetable, Fruits, and Herbs Sustainability of Other Crops Sustainability of Other Crops Organic Vegetable Production Organic Vegetable Production

Livestock and Fowl Commercial Poultry Commercial Poultry Commercial Hog Raising Commercial Hog Raising

Overview + side of coffee production in Monteverde + side of coffee production in Monteverde Poultry, and + hog production Poultry, and + hog production Directions for future research – Directions for future research – Coffee, vegetables, Source Coffee, vegetables, Source