Banana Plantation

Saturday July 14, 2012

Well another great day today! Group B loaded up and headed out to the Dole Banana plantation. We met another charming guide named Carlos. He was incredibly intelligent and kept us entertained while we learned how banana plants are propagated. Carlos liked to  explain everything in terms of three’s, but the one  most memorable facts I learned is that there are zero banana trees on the plantation. That’s correct, The banana plant is a gigantic herb. I learned so much today and I look forward to bringing this knowledge back to the classroom.

 We put on hairnets and had the opportunity to see how the bananas are processed and packaged to be shipped to other countries. At this time, Sweden  is the number one consumer of bananas. So lets go America start eating more bananas- they are loaded with potassium and fiber!  The tour included a quick shot of banana liqueur and a trip to the gift shop. I look forward to searching for recipes for my delicious Lizano Creama De Banano.  

Banana Plantation Pictures

Carlos told us all about the Dole Banana Plantation

These are legumes that are planted between the banana plants because they fix nitrogen, a nutrient needed by the plants





The banana are covered with blue plastic to protect them as they mature.  In this picture, Lisa and Bud think they are about to harvest the bananas.




This is the banana plant.  The growth region is at the base where the leaves and the flower grow.



This is the banana flower, showing the female parts of the flower that will eventually become the banana fruit.

Cane toad!

All AP environmental science teachers and students are familiar with the cane toad. The cane toad is native to Central and South America. It was introduced to Australia to control the cane beetle grub that was destroying the sugar cane crop. The cane toad didn't control the grub; instead it became a classic example of an invasive species.

Birding Hike




Birding with Kenneth and Albert

13 of us got up early for a guided bird walk with Kenneth and Albert. The trip was from 5:45 to 7:45. Since we weren't back in time for breakfast, Kenneth make arrangements at the dining hall for us to get food a little later than usual. We spent some time near the buildings and then walked back up the road out of La Selva. Then we went into the forest on a trail and made a loop that brought us out to where we hiked the first day. The guides were fantastic, and we saw lots of birds! Here is the list:


Gray-necked wood-rail





Gray-necked wood-rail

Olive-throated parakeet

White-crowned parrot

Squirrel cuckoo

Lesser swallow-tailed swift

Band-tailed barbthroat

Violet-crowned woodnymph

Rufous-tailed hummingbird

Violaceous trogon

Black-cheeked woodpecker

Cinnamon woodpecker

Cocoa woodpecker

Great antshrike

Common tody flycatcher

Great kiskadee

Social flycatcher

Gray-capped flycatcher

Tropical kingbird

Cinnamon becard

White-collared manakin
Plain wren
Melodious blackbird
Black-cowled oriole
Montezuma oropendola

Howler Monkey

I was up almost every morning by 5 am.  I was anxious to get out to go birding and it was difficult to sleep through all the noise!  Toucans, parrots and howler monkeys were active and loud!  The suspension bridge was a great place to go see all the activity.  One morning while watching the birds, I turned to see this howler monkey pretty close by.  He was not happy with me or the other people passing by on the bridge.

Costa Rican Coffee

Wednesday July 11                                  

I mentioned earlier that coffee is available 24 hours a day here in the cafeteria. What I did not mention is how unbelievably delicious the coffee is. We drink it with milk, milk and sugar, and most recently we have been making iced coffee with the addition of chocolate powder!!  Today we took an amazing field trip to Mi Cafecito coffee plantation in Alajuela.  What a treat. The proud owners of this cooperative consist of 137 farmers from the northern region of the country. The coffee is organically grown, and it is fair trade. Fair trade benefits the local community, and promotes sustainability. Walter, our extremely knowledgeable guide gave us a quick history lesson and showed us how the beans are picked, processed, dried and packaged. Then it was off for a hike through the forest to see the Maria Aguilar waterfalls and a breathtaking view of the Braulio Carrillo National Park. As if that was not enough, when we returned from our walking tour, we were treated to a delicious cup of coffee and a light meal including a sweet roll, a cheese taquito, and a bean tostada. Needless to say, we all had a great time and purchased coffee to bring back to the States.  

Shade Grown, Organic, Fair Trade Coffee



Shade Grown coffee - note coffee plants in a row with larger trees on both sides.  Banana plants were nearby to distract the birds from the coffee plants.





Coffee plant with flowers and fruits



Shade grown, organic and free trade coffee was on the agenda for our teams today. We went by van to see the coffee operation. It is a cooperative of  small coffee farms.



Coffee beans drying



The coffee beans are harvested by hand as soon as they are ripe.  We saw the whole process that they go through.  Processing uses a lot of water.  This is not in short supply here, but the water needs to be cleaned before it can go back out into the environment.  Tilapia are raised here in the water from the coffee processing.  The fish clean the water and provide food at the same time!

Tilapia Raised Here





The fruit that contains the coffee bean as well as the seed coat from the beans are composted using vermiculture - red worms.  There was a large building where this takes place.  The compost is then used to organically fertilize the coffee plants. 



Red Worms in Compost



We have all heard of shade grown coffee - here it was!  Large trees are standing by the rows of coffee plants.  These help to protect the plants in heavy rain.  In addition, there are banana plants nearby for the birds.  Instead of birds feeding on the coffee, they are attracted to the banana plants. 

Great example of sustainability!  This is a well thought out system and seems to work really well.  And the coffee was delicious!





Vermiculture Building - full of composting materials and redworms