Finca Cristina is a small organic coffee farm owned and operated by the Carman Family. Ernesto Carman is a founding member of ANAO, the National Association for Organic Agriculture of Costa Rica. The farm with its unique beneficio, or coffee mill is located on the south slope of Irazú Volcano in the village of Birrisito de Paraíso in Cartago province. The twelve hectare farm, under continuous cultivation for over 100 years, has had coffee growing on it for more than fifty years; pottery shards give evidence of pre-colonial occupation. Finca Cristina is situated in the life zone of Premontane Moist Forest (P-mf) life zone where the climate is bi-seasonal; there is a rainy season, invierno, and a not very defined dry season, verano due to the influence of moist Caribbean winds. Annual rainfall averages 2400mm (95") and average minimum and maximum temperatures are 12°C (54°F) and 22°C (72°F). The Río Birrisito winds through the farm's hilly and flat sections. Soils are clays derived mainly from lava flows with small inputs of volcanic ash.

Finca Cristina provides a decent healthy living for the two families who make it their home. The farm is self-sufficient in fruit, vegetables, beans, dairy products, poultry, lumber, and cooking fuel provided by both the coffee pruning and a biodigestor fed by pig manure and coffee mill byproducts. Much of the meat consumed comes from the pigs, cattle, and chickens raised by the families. The year round sale of organic bananas, vegetables, and roasted coffee for the local market contributes to the paying of salaries, health benefits, overtime, and bonuses. Housing and all utilities are also paid by the farm. This small family farm is socially sustainable.

After several years of low market prices, the threat of coffee rust, ever increasing chemical input demands due to nutritional imbalances from erosion and lack of organic matter, a change had to be made for our livelihood was at stake. Unable to purchase the chemicals, we put more emphasis on careful stewardship of the land. Soil conservation through erosion control and composting, individual plant pruning, and many other time proven practices were reestablished. Basic science, common sense, and the dedication of trusted workers with shovels and machetes took the place of purchasing imported chemicals. Thus, we made the complete conversion from chemical to organic farming in 1992.

On Finca Cristina we believe that a healthy earth will sustain healthy, productive crops. With our program of alternative agriculture based upon sound scientific principles and plant nutrition, we have seen very positive evidence of disease reduction in the coffee. Chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers have been eliminated, and no type of fungicide nor nematicide is used. Ground covers are encouraged, more leguminous shade trees have been planted, natural sources of deficient elements are added as well as liming to help counteract the high acidity levels. The soil has recuperated its rich micro biological activity. Weeds cut with machete add to the shade litter and coffee tree prunings to create a thick mulch of organic matter which protects the soil. To this is added the tons of coffee pulp which have been composted with the help of California red worms. Soil erosion is nonexistent. Instead, we have seen an increase in humus as well as improved soil texture and an abundance of native earthworms. Soil acidity which was our principle problem five years ago is under control. The coffee plantation (cafetal in Spanish) is healthy and productive.

The cafetal is literally alive with diverse species of plant and animal life. Orchids, hummingbirds, and blue morpho butterflies share the same branches. The multitude of specialized insects which pollinate the miniature orchids and medicinal plants also provide the base of a widening food chain. Native and migratory birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals all find a safe haven on Finca Cristina where land use is in harmony with the environment. Biodiversity has encouraged a natural balance.

The beneficio--first of its kind in Costa Rica--is an integral part of the farm. Designed five years ago to be part of a closed system with minimal impact on its surroundings and operating on the following principles, our coffee mill was presented the Ministry of Energy and Environment's 'Green Seal Award' in 1997.

	Water use is minimized, and only potable water is used for washing the coffee.
	Coffee pulp is composted using worms and is returned to the field as fertilizer.
	Mucilage removed during fermentation/washing is processed in a biogas system (UASB reactor).
	The methane is used for household cooking.
	The effluent is used as fertilizer.
	The coffee is sun dried.
	Yields and quality are higher than in conventional, large mills.

Much remains to be done. A serious research program is needed to explore nutritional causes of diseases, in particular fungal diseases, and to determine the role of soil organic matter in their prevention. The Río Birrisito is a relatively short stream, but it includes a wide variety of habitats and land forms. It needs to be cleaned up and protected. The existing flora and fauna needs to be inventoried while original native flora should be reestablished. An ongoing outreach program within the local community must continue as well as monitoring of municipal and commercial interests which degrade the community's resources.

The true test of the success of Finca Cristina's alternative agriculture is in a cup of Café Cristina. Our shade grown, sun-dried, certified organic coffee demands premium prices in the exclusive coffee shops of Europe and the United States. Here is the proof that the small family farm producing a quality organic product is an economically sustainable enterprise.