Finca Chico

Finca Chico is a tiny (two hectare) farm south of San José in Costa Rica. The farm was a parcel of land given to Francisco Rojas Camacho by his parents. Originally Finca Chico was part of his parents’ farm, and as their children grew up it was split into fifteen sections, one for each of the children. Francisco planted his land twenty years ago with coffee and avocado. There was some concern at the time that because of the high altitude (1800m) there would be a risk of frost, but as the local climate has gotten a little warmer the likelihood of extreme lower temperatures has reduced. The coffee trees have survived and are doing well, but sadly less than ten percent of the avocado has made it. Francisco uses every square inch of his two hectares, if there is a little space then something is planted in it – he has an established vegetable garden, as well as peach, plantain and chilli growing. Over the last year Chico has been preparing the land at the highest point on his farm, some 2000m. He has cleared the pasture and prepared the soil by planting red pinto beans. The bean crop helps fix nitrogen and as the plants break down at the end of the harvest there is a nice layer of mulch to get further nutrients into the soil. Chico is planting more Yellow and Red Catuaí, sourced from his own seed stock he has selected.