AGRICULTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL & COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY IN COSTA RICA
- March 13-21, 2027
- Credits: AGRY 39900 or AGR 49300 - 1 credit
- Estimated Cost: $3300 which includes airfare, accommodation, in-country transportation, entrance fees, meals, international medical insurance
- Leaders: Dr. Corey Gerber & Marguerite Bolt
- Callout: September 15, 2026 at 5:30 pm in Lilly 3102
Students will have an immersive look at how agriculture, natural resources, conservation, and local communities are connected. Travel from the lush Sarapiquí rainforest to the Arenal region and Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast while exploring the country’s diverse agricultural and environmental landscapes. Visit coffee cooperatives, pineapple and palm oil farms, and a farm-to-table operation to learn about production practices and the social and environmental impacts of agriculture. Explore rainforest research and conservation at Tirimbina Rainforest Center and Texas A&M’s Soltis Center, and discover community-led sustainability efforts such as recycling and protected-area management. Students will also experience Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity through rainforest hikes, chocolate and cacao production, wildlife research, and a boat excursion in Marino Ballena National Park. Cultural experiences, including opportunities to learn from local communities, provide another perspective on the relationship between people, agriculture, and the environment. From farms and forests to beaches and local communities, this program gives students the opportunity to see sustainability in action while experiencing the culture, food, and natural beauty of Costa Rica.
