407, 2013
June’s newsletter
Become a farm intern this fall and learn natural building →
This is June’s edition of our monthly newsletter. A little late.
3006, 2013
Incredible views
Raices del Sol is located in the gorgeous mountains of Costa Rica’s central valley, 2.5 hrs from San Jose’s international airport and about a half hour drive on a scenic dirt road to the pacific coast. Our private wildlife refuge borders the La Cangreja mountain chain which is Costa Rica’s newest and most virgin national park.
There are magnificent view points throughout the farm and on clear days you can see all the way to the coast from several of them. In this season we often look down at the cloudy valley in the early mornings and late afternoons while up here enjoying a majestic sky full of colors.
2706, 2013
Nested among trees
Fall 2013 interns stay in our newest accommodations: “The Nest”. Set in one of the most idyllic spots anywhere and nested among incredibly tall trees, the big house is a truly unique display of natural building construction methods and design.
The Nest features private and semi-private comfortable rooms, a communal area, and a whole lot of hammocks all around.
Gallery
2606, 2013
Become a farm intern this Fall in Costa Rica
There are a few spots still available for this Fall’s incredible internship program. Apply online today and become a farm intern this fall!
Some highlights of the program include:
Participants in the fall program will join in a fascinating and unique natural building project. Learn to build your own natural house from the ground up! Learn more →
Biodynamic, permaculture, agroforestry, and organic farming is covered in this incredible 3-month program. From natural animal care, to field cultivation, gardening, composting, food processing & preparation, farm management, and so much more. Learn more →
Related posts:
2406, 2013
Linseed oil
Linseed oil is considered one of the best oil to apply on wood. Whether you use it raw or boiled it will do a very good job at protecting the wood and emphasizing the natural colors of the wood without staining it too much.
We haven’t yet found a source of pure Linseed oil in Costa Rica (all commercial Linseed oil is mixed with chemical solvents) but we brought some from the US. Used on porous wood (such as Ceder in the picture below) it will take very well. The secret is to apply 2 or 3 layers 24 hours apart and to make sure to use very little oil in each layer. Of course the wood should be well sanded before anything.
Nathalie carefully oiling a wooden deck with Linseed oil.
2206, 2013
This morning’s mango harvest
Hundreds of Mangoes are growing on our trees.
Mangoes ripening beautifully.
We brought back 3 big baskets from this morning’s quick Mango harvest.
2006, 2013
Ari and Lela riding Thunder
Ari and Lela riding Thunder
1506, 2013
Why is RDS’s internship opportunity different than most farm internships
One of the reasons why RDS’s integrative farming and natural building internship program differs from any other internship out there is because it is a full educational program with an established curriculum. Interns aren’t just left on their own and set to work on the farm’s projects while getting so-called “hands-on” experience. Part of our commitment to integrity is to offer an internship with real value.
On the other hand we do expect interns to give back to RDS throughout the program as they become more skilled and knowledgeable. This exchange is why food and room is given free. In addition, since RDS is a non-profit educational organization we aim to offer the lowest possible price for tuition. These factors combined allow us to make our unique internship a true educational program while at the same time keeping it extremely affordable – less than you’d pay for simple day-to-day living most anywhere in the world!
Learn more about this Fall’s 3-month internship program and apply online.
1406, 2013
Pizotes and other wild animals
There are countless wild Pizotes (wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizote) on our private wildlife refuge and in the thousands of acres of virgin forest bordering RDS. We are blessed with incredible wildlife and biodiversity such as is becoming increasingly rare in the world. We thrive to protect natural habitats (mainly by letting them be!) and foster true respect for nature. For us this translates in practical daily actions and long-term choices rather than being an empty word tossed around over a couple of industrial beers and a GMO-filled meal.
Other wild animals we see all the time include white-faced monkeys, foxes, wild chickens and wild turkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans, and a whole lot more. There are also wild pigs and even mountain lions but these are very allusive and to get to see them you’ll need to know how to be very quiet while exploring and spending time in the jungle.
Pizote
1306, 2013