Agriculture in Monteverde
Moving Toward SustainabilityKatherine Griffith
Daniel C. Peck
Joseph StuckeyThis chapter is an overview of how Monteverde set-
tlers transformed their environment into a diversity
of agricultural systems. We first discuss "people liv-
ing in nature," how Monteverdans have viewed natu-
ral resources and defined sustainability. We describe
the environmental and social conditions that deter-
mined agronomic options in the area, and outline the
area's major agricultural activities (dairy, coffee, and
beef), other crops, and efforts at agricultural diversi-
fication. Where possible, we cite published studies,
but few exist for some issues. We rely heavily on local
experts, including long-term community members,
local agronomists, veterinarians, and farmers (Table
11.1). We also draw on agricultural production data
collected by local organizations.
People Living with Nature
From the earliest indigenous settlers to today's com-
mercial farmers, biologists, and artists, Monteverde's
inhabitants have exhibited a wide spectrum of ap-
proaches to natural resource use. The community's
ongoing debate over the meaning and practice of
"sustainability" throws into sharp relief residents'differing worldviews, kinds of knowledge, and per-
ceptions of constraints and opportunities. People's
decisions on how to use natural resources depend on
three factors: their attitudes and beliefs, their knowl-
edge, and the opportunities, constraints, and condi-
tions that they confront. For example, beliefs may
demand that people be "stewards" of the land, that
they use resources to maximize economic returns
during their lifetime, or that they use resources as
sparingly as possible. Their knowledge may prepare
them to be organic vegetable farmers, traditional dairy
farmers, business people, or biologists. The social,
environmental, and economic context in which they
make decisions further defines which options are
available or attractive. As one local farmer stated, "We
do the best we can with what we have, based on what
we know, and what the circumstances permit or en-
courage us to do."Defining Sustainable Agriculture
Monteverdans generally agree that "sustainable agri-
culture" is a good thing, but there is less agreement
on what it means. Following the taxonomy of Gillespie