1. A Partnership for Sustainability:
EARTH University and Whole Foods Market
Daniel Sherrard
Provost, EARTH University

2. What is EARTH University?
An international university in Costa Rica with an innovative four-year undergraduate program in agricultural sciences and natural resource management.

3. Our misión:
Prepare leaders with ethical values to contribute to sustainable development and construct a prosperous and just society.

4. Where is EARTH? EARTH-La Flor Liberia, Guanacaste
EARTH University Guácimo, Limón

5. A global student body 418 from 37 countries 40% female
Highly-subsidized model with over 60% on full scholarship
40% female
76% from rural areas

6. Our educational model
10:1 student/faculty ratio (40 faculty from 19 countries) Faculty as facilitators Integrated and multi-disciplinary Student-centered learning Experiential and participatory

7. Pillars of our Educational Model
Social and environmental responsibility
Ethical
values
Technical and scientific knowledge
Holistic educational model
Entrepreneurial mindset

8. EARTH Bananas

9. Bananas at EARTH
Banana plantations were part of property acquired for the University in 1987
Serious environmental challenges
Dependency on multinational fruit companies for commercialization
Important source of employment in the region
EARTH committed to producing a more sustainable product
Challenges of a university operating a commercial venture
Treatment of workers

10. Environmental Challenges
Contamination with plastics
Exposure to pesticides
Excessive applications of agri-chemicals
Contamination of rivers
Weed control

11. Fields are surrounded by forest
45 feet riparian corridors established on either side of all waterways

12. Innovations in the field
Ground cover prevents erosion
Manual weed control with machete has eliminated use of herbicides

13. Compost production

14. Plastic Bags Soaked in an organic mixture of hot pepper and garlic
Waste bags recycled into corner supports for pallets

15. Special Guests
The banana plantation is a safe and healthy environment for all creatures

16. No more hauling…banana train

17. VTH: A Commerical Enterprise
A separate entity, VTH, owned by EARTH University was established.
Governed by an independent board of directors and operated by a General Manager. Responsible for a variety of commercial endeavors.

18. Partnership with Whole Foods
Started exporting bananas to Whole Foods Market in 2002:
38, lb. boxes
In 2013:
732, lb. boxes
More than 70 annual scholarships provided to secondary school students
scholarship fund
$1,104,590

19. We are proud to be Whole Trade

20. Partnership with Whole Foods Market
Not just about bananas…
It’s about creating sustainable wealth, environmental well-being and prosperity in rural communities

21. A uniquely sweet banana
Sustainable and environmentally friendly
Rainforest Alliance Certified
Achieved 100% on last audit
Whole Trade Guarantee
Global Gap
Carbon Neutral
Passion for our people
Managers know name of each employee
Workers receive fair wages, training, all social benefits

22. Growing our mission…
…one bunch at a time.