With Passion and Love
James Newton
LSU Ag Leadership Class XVII
Over the past 10 days we have seen many different agricultural operations from farms to research to markets throughout Panama and Costa Rica. Today, we got the privilege of going to Finca Don Juan, a fully organic farm to table operation. In my opinion, he is the most interesting farmer we have visited so far. This is all because of his passion and love for growing the most outstanding fully organic crops.
Romeo Stalling, left, and Ben Guthrie, right talk with Sr. Don Juan of Finca Don Juan in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Sr. Juan invited the group to his farm and into his kitchen to try his organic products. Beyond just a small farm, the operation boasts scenic gardens along the river, as well as a bustling agro-tourism business. During the two-hour visit to the farm, Class XVII was one of four large tour groups to visit and eat here.
On his farm, Don Juan grows over 30 different crops on just three acres and everything is sold at the restaurant on the farm to tourists from all over the world.
Sr. Don Juan shows Class XVII part of the organic garden at his finca (farm). James Newton, second from right, said he was the most interesting of the farmers they had met because of his passion for agriculture. Included at the farm was a sugarcane press where they make cane juice, as well as rhûm agricole, a type of rum.
On his farm, Sr. Juan demonstrated how he builds his beds starting with cow manure then layering with his house compost and medium, making the most nutritious soil. He and his employees then top off their soil with sugarcane bagasse as a mulch to keep weeds out, retain moisture and improve soil quality.
A stocked pond at Finca Don Juan, with the Arenal Volcano hidden by clouds in the background.
We then made pure sugarcane juice by squeezing the stalk with a hand crank press and enjoyed a shot of sugarcane moonshine with the toast “liquor of sugarcane, my sweet torment. What are you doing outside? Come inside!”
Class member and Young Farmer & Rancher Chair Robert Duncan volunteered to have his face painted with a type of fruit. It took several make-up wipes to get it off!
He invited us to play a game with the achiote fruit. This did not turn out as planned, as some of us got our faces painted with the red juice of the achiote which is also used as natural food coloring.
Don Juan is not just about growing crops. Eduction is a very big part of his philosophy and vision. He comes from a teaching background. Twenty years ago, before he decided to start this beautiful farm, he was a teacher.
His top three goals for his business are education, production, and conservation. He was clear that no waste is left behind. He strives to be the “best of the best” in each aspect of his business. This is what Dr. Soileau has envisioned for each one of us to be the best of the best and tell our story. Nobody can tell it better than you.
It rains more than 200 inches every year in some parts of Costa Rica! Even though it is the dry season, it was very rainy in the mountains of La Fortuna. Not to be deterred, Randy Richard brought a little Cajun preparedness with his overalls and boots!
I feel this ties in very closely to our class. I have had the privilege of becoming really close friends with each one of my classmates over the last three years and I would say that each one of them is the best of the best at what they do. The love and passion each one of my classmates has for what they do truly makes you appreciate agriculture and the way it ties all people together.
Whether it be conversing over a cup of coffee, enjoying a plate of rice and beans together, or even over a late night glass (or two) of Centenario (rum), I have learned something from each classmate individually. Some things have been about everyday life and others about farming techniques I plan to use. But like Sr. Don Juan, I’ll leave no waste and use everything they have taught me to my advantage.
For anyone who has a strong passion for agriculture, I strongly recommend applying for this program and diving in head first. You will not regret it!