Meet Doña Lidia.
She is a matriarch, a farmer, a wife, a community organizer, current president of ASOETA (Associación Agroecoturística de La Argentina) , and an entrepreneur. Co-owner of Finca Laureles in la Argentina neighborhood of Pocora in Costa Rica. Lidia is a prime example of how women play a primary role in shaping the landscape and pace of life in this community. Throughout Costa Rica and much of Latin America, traditional gender roles are the norm, but at Finca Laureles—the 12 hectare farm on which Doña Lidia and Don Fernando live and work—those roles are blurred in favor of a philosophy which puts teamwork and sustainability at the heart of daily activity.
On the surface, this might be hard to see. When our class arrived to tour the farm, Doña Lidia was busy with her sister in the outdoor kitchen, preparing a farm meal from scratch. She was also the person plating the meals and greeting guests. Between herself and her sister, they cleaned the kitchen and the house. Meanwhile, Don Fernando took care of what was mostly outdoor work and labor—he managed the cows, prepared animal feed, fished and gutted tilapia. As we settled in around the table—from a strategic position by the wood fire stove, Doña Lidia was orchestrating the flurry of micro tasks for the meal through execution and delegation. Don Fernando talked to us a bit about the farm alongside our EARTH University guides, but when the meal was underway and it came time to transition into the rest of the day, Doña Lidia was the catalyst for action.
After a day of being on the farm and learning about the chores for the afternoon and evening, Lidia’s entrepreneurial side revealed itself as she explained the way that she and many of the other smallholder farm owners and households in the area organized themselves and created the agroecotourism association ASOETA over 15 years ago—right before EARTH University became involved in helping the farms to develop some sustainable soluitions. This organization revolutionized the way in which these households made their income. Rather than simply being subject to the whims of the weather and their crops, in just a few short years, the participating farms and households are able to proudly say that they can depend on supplemental income from agrotourism to help stabilize their finances.
As current president, Doña Lidia explains to us that it hasn’t been easy to maintain unity within the group. ASOETA has certain core values that are compulsory for membership in addition to the ability to host guests—among them are, a commitment to sustainability, engagement with agricultural activities, and a family atmosphere. She explains that they check-up on each other and offer support, but that it isn’t always enough. For the 15 years, since the inception of the agroecotourism organization, the majority of community members have not had the patience nor the financial stability necessary to remain in keeping with the group’s core values. From an original group of 20, only 8 farms remain, with 2 more new farms pending the end of their membership probation period.
It is notable to remark that among the farms in ASOETA, many of the representatives and facilitators (who work with students and groups from EARTH and other organizations that bring tour groups to the region) are the women. In La Argentina, farm income is not just supplemented by the agroecotourism industry, but also through things like sales of crafts and artisanal goods made by the women’s organization.
During the day, it is remarkable that with all of the activity and work that gets done around Finca Laureles, there are moments of quiet and rest. Sweaty from standing over the frying pan and taking afternoon coffee, Doña Lidia sits down at the corner of the table and talks for a bit about her view of life.
“We are always looking forward, never back….my philosophy is to do what you can do now, and don’t wait, because life will leave you behind. Show your family and friends that you love them, take care of the earth for the next generation.”
Originally from the city, Doña Lidia moved to the countryside of Pocoro over 20 years ago to make a new life with her husband for themselves. Having not had much schooling in their youth or access to large sums of money, together they built their farm from the ground up, with the support of the community and in later years, EARTH University. There are always questions to be asked about whether future generations will be able to live as they are able to, with such a relatively small carbon footprint. For now I can say that at Finca Laureles, their kids and grandkids may have a better chance than most.
Thick, muggy air makes the light refract in the morning mist that surrounds the farmhouse, and everything is a cast in yellow, as we get ready to leave Finca Laureles. Doña Lidia dressed in a men’s soccer jersey and jeans, slides on her rubber work boots and leaves instructions for the household during her absence. She has a few words with the neighbor helping them to finish a new bodega, and leaves a list of chores for Don Fernando to complete before lunch. Grabbing her machete and waving for the group of us groggy graduate students to follow her, we trek through the field to our next destination, with Doña Lidia leading the way.
Ada Cuadrado-Medina
Master’s Degree Candidate, Food Studies
earthtochatham 