Soil Health is Community Health! Supporting Local Organic Agriculture Upcoming Intensive Course in Monteverde, Costa Rica: The ABCs of Organic Farming with Jairo Restrepo

What is the ABC of Organic Farming?

The ABCs of Organic Agriculture is a practical and transformative approach promoted by renowned Colombian agronomist Jairo Restrepo Rivera . This concept seeks to democratize agricultural knowledge through three fundamental practices that anyone interested in sustainable production can apply:

1. Aerobic fermented organic fertilizers, Bokashi type

2. Preparation of biofertilizers based on bovine manure

3. Preparation of mineral broths for soil regeneration

This model, which gives its name to both a book and a practical course, has become a key tool for those who wish to begin or strengthen their path in regenerative organic agriculture. It is a peaceful revolution, built with knowledge, seeds, and hands-on experience to generate healthier, more sustainable, and fairer food systems.

What do we mean by organic farming?

Organic agriculture is a set of techniques and principles that seek to maximize the use of local and natural resources , harnessing organic matter, soil biology, and natural cycles to produce food without resorting to synthetic or toxic inputs. It is a direct alternative to the industrial agriculture model promoted by multinational corporations, which often has devastating effects on human health, ecosystems, and farmers' autonomy.

What will we learn in this course?

During this intensive course, we will learn to understand the life within the soil: its structure, biology, and physical, chemical, and microbiological dynamics. We will delve into the natural processes that allow us to grow highly nutritious foods and regenerate the fertility of depleted soils.

We will remember and take back ancestral land stewardship practices , essential to sustaining community life without the need for harmful agrochemicals.

And of course, we're going to get our hands dirty! We'll learn how to prepare a wide variety of essential bio-inputs for high-yield organic farming . These include:

Techniques you will learn:

🧱 Bokashi and Cubokashi

Bokashi is a fermented organic fertilizer that accelerates the decomposition of organic matter, enriching the soil with beneficial microorganisms and nutrients. Cubokashi is a compacted solid form variant, ideal for easy application and transportation. Both promote living and resilient soils.

🦠 Soil microbiology

We will understand the key role that bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and other microorganisms play in soil fertility. We will learn how to stimulate this microbiology to achieve healthier, more fertile, and disease-resistant soils.

🌈 Soil chromatography

A simple, visual technique for assessing soil biological quality. Chromatography displays the presence (or absence) of microbial life, organic matter, and soil physical structure in color, allowing for informed decisions about soil management.

🌱 Production of biofertilizers

We will prepare different types of nutrient-rich liquid biofertilizers made from manure, molasses, microorganisms, and minerals. These provide balanced nutrition to plants, improve crop vigor, and reduce dependence on external inputs.

⚗️ Potassium phosphites and their variants

We'll explore how to make mineral bioinputs based on phosphorus and potassium, essential for strengthening plant defenses. These homemade preparations prevent diseases and improve flowering and fruiting.

🔬 And much more!

From bioferments, natural biohormones, soil activators, to strategies for designing resilient agricultural systems... this course is a living, practical toolbox.

Is this course for you?

This course is open to anyone interested in growing in a regenerative and nature-friendly way , from urban gardeners and aficionados to professional farmers. It is especially recommended for:

• Agricultural producers in transition to organic farming

• Fans of growing at home or in a community

• Permaculture and regenerative designers

• Students and agricultural engineers, biologists and environmental professionals

• Educators, activists, researchers and agricultural technicians

If you're looking for permaculture courses in Costa Rica, or similar, that combine theory, practice, and a deep connection with the land, this program is ideal for you. At Valle Escondido , our renowned hotel in Monteverde , we want to make this course as inclusive as possible. That's why we offer special rates on lodging and meals for registered participants .

Facilitators

🌾 Jairo Restrepo Rivera

Jairo is an agricultural engineer, international consultant, and educator with over 35 years of experience in organic agriculture . He has taught courses and lectured in over 20 countries and is the author of key books such as The ABCs of Organic Agriculture and Cow Shit .

Jairo proposes a comprehensive vision that considers agriculture a science of life , not death. He strongly criticizes the conventional model based on poisons (fungicides, herbicides, nematicides, synthetic phytohormones) that destroy soil biology and create an artificial dependence of farmers on corporations.

For Restrepo, the key is to nourish the soil so that the soil nourishes the plant, and thus the plant nourishes the human being . His approach emphasizes essential principles such as:

• Biological diversity

• Natural synthesis

• The constancy of the elements

He is also known for his direct, passionate style and his enormous pedagogical ability, which combines technical rigor with popular wisdom.

🌿 Allan Chavarría

Allan is a Costa Rican agroecologist and agricultural engineer, a graduate of the University of Costa Rica. With over 20 years of experience, he has participated in important teaching processes throughout Latin America, promoting food sovereignty and regenerative design as the basis for agriculture that serves life.

Course details

📅 Dates: June 9-14 📍 Location: Valle Escondido Nature Reserve, Monteverde, Costa Rica 💻 Registration: www.regenerativecr.org 👉 IMPORTANT: This course will be taught in Spanish

There will be six days of intensive learning , with practical and theoretical sessions amidst an inspiring natural setting.

Where is it held?

Valle Escondido Nature Reserve Hotel and Farm is a hotel and nature reserve located in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Where we apply permaculture principles, grow our food organically for farm-to-table in Monteverde, where visitors can experience firsthand the connection between soil, food, and gastronomy.

By participating in this course, you will be immersed in an ecosystem that lives and breathes the philosophy of agroecology and regenerative tourism .

We promote a model aligned with the principles of impact tourism , taking every opportunity to inspire our visitors and empower them to be part of this movement that seeks to regenerate the planet. At the same time, we use the income generated by tourism to invest in impactful initiatives in our surrounding areas.

Newly formed Nonprofit in Monteverde Costa Rica

AVER Annual Fundraising Concert

To close with a flourish, on June 14th we'll celebrate AVER's nonprofit annual "Festival Cultivando Música" music festival, This year the event to support the newly formed Monteverde nonprofit AGROREGENERAMV an association of local farmers using organic/regenerative agriculture. This event brings together artists such as:

🎶 Sonámbulo Psicotropical

🎷 Insax

🐰 Bunny Wabbit

🔥 Fire show by JAWARA

🎨 Art exhibition by NEGUS

🎭 Monteverde Technical Professional College Parade

This festival, in addition to being a feast for the senses, has as its main objective to raise funds to support the new association AgroRegenera Monteverde ( agroregeneramv.org ). This local nonprofit works to accompany and strengthen food producers in their transition towards organic and regenerative agriculture systems for Monteverde Costa Rica .

Agroregeneramv.org's mission is to promote regenerative agricultural production in the region through continuing education, agroecological training, and productive capacity building . They foster resilient food systems, encourage soil regeneration, and promote the comprehensive well-being of local communities. They also support the implementation of participatory organic certification , an inclusive tool that strengthens trust between producers and consumers and energizes the solidarity economy in Monteverde.

Final thoughts

This course will not only give you practical tools to grow healthy food, but will also allow you to question, unlearn, and rebuild your relationship with the land.

Remember:

👉 The more we simplify a crop, the more we delegate to toxic inputs. Strength is in diversity

👉 Soil fertility does not depend on purchased nitrogen, but on the life that inhabits it .

👉 Healthy agriculture requires diversity, consistency, and natural synthesis.

We look forward to seeing you in Valle Escondido to sow a fertile, resilient, and delicious future! 🌿