Monteverde is famous in Costa Rica for its cloud forests and cool climate. However, access to organic local produce is difficult to find. Although this is a beautiful place in Costa Rica, the farmers in the community struggle with producing, and the community members struggle with food insecurity.
The Monteverde community needs agricultural and farming classes in its schools. Despite being a farming community, the youth are not being taught how to farm. Farmers also need more support so they can continue farming. When we interviewed them, local farmers said they need a local food hub where they can exchange their produce with the community directly.
For farmers, climate change makes it hard to produce. Monteverde used to be very rainy, but global warming has made it much drier. Many farmers also struggle with fungi and insects taking over their crops. A lot of community members don't understand the struggles of farmers because agriculture is not taught in local schools. Additionally, organic "certifications" can be expensive and difficult to get. This makes organic produce very expensive, and community members often cannot afford it.
