permaculture

[Dylan Ford <dford@suffolk.lib.ny.us>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marjory"
Subject: [permaculture] anyone in costa rica?

> We are planning a trip to Costa Rica, and as always, interested in
> seeing sustainable agricultural, permaculture projects, etc.   Anyone on
> this list from costa Rica?  Or know of fun projects to go see?  You can
> write me offlist at forestgarden@gvtc.com if you want privacy.
>
> Very sincerely,
>
> Marjory

Dear Marjory

A member of the Biodynamic Food and Farming List (BDNow@yahoogroups.com) 
went to CR last year and had a very fruitful and informative visit with the 
farm and farmer described below. Have fun!  dylan

Henry Karczynski at Villa Vanilla.
Permaculture and biodynamics.
WWOOFers Welcome!

http://www.rainforestspices.com

       Born in Germany and raised in urban Chicago, Illinois, Henry studied
business in the university and worked in commerce for several years
before finding his true vocation in life. Henry is married to a
"China/Tica"with 2 grown children.

       Henry Karczynski has been continuously involved in agricultural
development since joining the Peace Corps as a volunteer in 1975.  He
has worked as a long term project manager for several Non-Government
Organizations (NGO) and as a short term consultant in a half a dozen
countries in Central America and the Caribbean.

       Henry has resided in Costa Rica since 1977 and has been 
manager/owner
of Villa Vanilla, the farm home of rainforestspices.com, since 1987. Never a 
proponent
of conventional chemical agriculture the farm has been certified
organic since 1992 and biodynamic since 2000.

       Originally tackling the challenge of growing vanilla commercially he
viewed his operation with what he now calls "tunnel vision", not
wanting to be sidetracked by any other agricultural activity that
would distract him from his goal of producing commercial vanilla.

       With a temperate climate approach to his business endeavor Henry had
practiced a monoculture approach to the farm. The focus was on
encourging only vanilla using one type of host tree (the coral tree)
and maintaining a lawn approach to row management. Any plant that
didn't fit into the planting scheme was subject to the thrust of the
machete.

       After several successful harvests with lady luck by his side
Costa Rica suddenly became the brunt of a series of tropical
hurricanes that deposited eight meters of rain for two successive
years! excessive water stress along with a degenerated planting
material and the application of unsound agricultural practices
brought vanilla production in Costa Rica to a sudden halt.

       This experience forced Henry to reflect more on tropical agriculture
in general and sustainable practices specifically. After reading as
many books and articles on non-conventional agriculture that he could
he came upon a book called "Secrets of the Soil" by Peter Tompkins
and Christopher Bird. His attention was attracted by the several
chapters devoted to a holistic approach to agriculture called
biodynamics. This book encouraged him to acquire more literature and
participate in biodynamic conference to learn more of this ancient
art of agriculture. He also traveled to Madagascar and Mexico to
experience vanilla production.

       Henry's farm had been certified organic using the expression "benign
neglect". He had achieved his certification based more on the fact
that he wasn't using prohibited chemicals than to an approach that
was paying attention to increasing the health and vigor of the soil
and beneficial microorganisms. By studying biodynamics he realized
that he needed to turn his attention back to the soil taking into
consideration the unique life forces and synergies of the tropics.

       Henry forged ahead against conventional agricultural wisdom by
planting the same crop in a soil that was devastated with pathogenic
fungi. However Henry now had available valuable tools and information
on how to create a soil and plant environment that would encourage
repopulation with beneficial microorganisms. By using the biodynamic
principles of viewing and treating the farm as an organism or unit,
by learning more about nature's earthly rythyms and cosmic cycles and
applying energetic medicinal plant preparations that encourage
balance along with other sustainable tropical practices that
encourage bio-diversity the farm did a 180 degree turnaround.

       Henry's farm is now planted with a variety of spice and essential 
oil
cash crops along with minor plantings of common and exotic fruits,
trees, flowering and medicinal plants. Henry noticed that the flora
diversity has brought back the fauna diversity that is normally
present in tropical humid forests. Birds, monkeys and other animals
are returning in droves!

       Henry was fortunate to meet many masters and each of them 
contributed
in one way or another to the goal of increasing the awareness of the
uniqueness of tropical agriculture. He is willing to share his
experiences and vision with students, practicioners and visitors to
Villa Vanilla & Rainforest Spices.



Dylan Ford is the author of the proposal at www.ideaforpresident.com , a 
website devoted to an idea that could provide an avenue to address pollution 
issues, food safety, social justice, prison reform and healthcare.