Through the combined efforts of JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters and Ken Landers, the San Rafael Sustainable Coffee Initiative (SRSCI) is off the ground and running. With the goal of restructuring the current seed-to-cup value chain that exists in coffee farming, the SRSCI aspires to positively impact the lives of the Costa Rican coffee farmers, implementing the four pillars of sustainability: social, cultural, economic and environmental. With current co-op methods ineffectively aiding the farmer, the SRSCI is laying the foundation for direct trade from the San Rafael coffee farmer to the consumer. The astonishing facts of the current value chain demonstrate a net profit for some Costa Rican farmers of $0.39 (39 cents!) per one pound of coffee. Compare this to the average $250 net profit the coffee retailer receives for the SAME one pound of coffee. JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters and the SRSCI believe the consumer should have the choice to go directly to the source, the Costa Rican farmers themselves. The San Rafael Sustainable Coffee Initiative opens this window for choice, offering direct communication with the farmer, direct purchase and revealing a world of possibilities for the consumer and the farmer that do not exist in the current market. JumpinGoat will be returning to Costa Rica with the Costa Rica Eco Tour scheduled for January 2011 to further investigate coffee at its source, the SRSCI’s venture in coffee sustainability measures and how to accomplish this with the other local coffee farmers. Coffee and non-coffee industry personnel are encouraged to join.
Eco-Adventure Tour including deluxe hotel accommodations, select meals and excursions.
Pura Vida! Join us for a week filled with excitement and adventure as we travel to Costa Rica on our amazing eco-adventure. Explore Costa Rica’s natural beauty and diverse ecosystem while hiking in rainforests, ziplining through jungles, walking amongst tree canopies and sailing along the Pacific coast. Discover how coffee is grown straight from the source as we visit a coffee plantation and examine its operations.
DON’T MISS THIS ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME!
Four nights in Monteverde Rain Forest region; Two nights Guanacaste region. Five breakfasts, one lunch and five dinners.
Included:
Transportation as noted in itinerary. Airport transfers from/to San Jose Airport.* Sightseeing and excursions as scheduled, including all specified admissions – weather, time and road conditions permitting. Baggage handling. Tax and sales charges for local services. Arrangements can be made for additional pre and post tour options.
*Liberia Airport can be accommodated for an additional fee.
Hotels:
El Establo Hotel, Monteverde, Costa Rica January 15-19 – 4 nights
MICRO-COFFEE ACADEMY – Sunday, January 16, 2011 (Optional – Add $85.00)
Learn and practice coffee tasting technique, including how to properly evaluate the coffee aroma, body, acidity, taste and aftertaste from a variety of coffee samples. Experience coffee flavor profiling, entailing coffee fragrance and flavoring via professional cupping methods. Also covered will be Coffee Grading and Coffee Roasting (process and technique). Proper cupping table and sample preparation will also be demonstrated. This is an optional class and accepts novice or experienced coffee cuppers. Questions regarding the cupping class? Email Forrest Graves at costarica@jumpingoat.com or call 706-809-0143.
Travel insurance is recommended in cases of trip cancellation, unforeseen sickness, accidents or travel-related delays. Contact us for a quote. Please advise us of any specific physical conditions, allergies or dietary needs. To truly experience the program and destination, you must be able to walk over uneven terrain, climb stairs, hike in slippery areas and be able to stand for periods at a time. Itinerary subject to change.
Not Included:
Meals not specified, laundry, daily beverages, shopping or sightseeing not included in the itinerary, room service, mini-bar, telephone calls, tips to drivers and local guides. Roundtrip airfare from the USA (we will gladly quote the best airfare available at time of reservation).
Departure tax of approximately $28 is required. You will able to pay this departure tax upon your arrival into Costa Rica by CASH or VISA only.
Payments can be made with American Express, Visa, Mastercard or check. Final payment is due by October 15, 2010. Registration form must be completed and signed by each participant. Minimum age of participant is 16. Minimum participant requirement is 20 passengers with maximum 36. Passports are mandatory and must not expire before June 30, 2011. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further questions and more details.
Land Price $1595 per person based on double occupancy.
Sign up by June 18, 2010 and receive $25 off per person
Single supplement $295 additional
Limited number of upgraded rooms- $1845 per person, based on availability
Deposit $500 per person is required upon sign-up and final payment due by October 15, 2010. Interim payments can be made. Airfare and insurance are additional, contact us for more details.
Limited space available. Please sign up early to reserve your spot today!
Join JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters for an …
Adventure of a Lifetime!
Day 1, Saturday, January 15
Depart USA for Costa Rica. We will meet you at the San Jose Airport. Transfer to Monteverde region for late afternoon arrival at our hotel, El Establo. Free time to relax and explore the region before getting together for our welcome dinner. (D)
Day 2, Sunday, January 16
After breakfast, we will walk atop the trees in the Cloud Forest and explore the diverse surrounding environment. We will then return to the hotel. Free afternoon or meet with Forrest Graves for his coffee seminar. We will meet again for dinner at our hotel, El Establo. (B, D)
Day 3, Monday, January 17 What an exciting day! Our host will be Ken Lander of The Common Cup in Costa Rica who will demonstrate the inner-workings of a Costa Rican coffee farm and the coffee Benificio.
Day 4, Tuesday, January 18
Adventure awaits as we visit Selvatura Nature Park. Selvatura holds the opportunity to zipline through the forest canopy and listen to the sounds of nature as hundreds of birds and monkeys call in the distance. We will then visit the magnificent butterfly garden, one of the largest in the Americas. Finally, we will be guided on a tour through the tree tops along suspension bridges, a leisurely stroll through the heart of the rain forest. We will return for dinner at our hotel. (B, D)
Day 5, Wednesday, January 19
Today, we depart for the Pacific coast. Along the way we will stop in La Fortuna. Views of Arenal Volcano are seen from all over town. You will have the opportunity to pick up some wonderful Costa Rican handicrafts here and have lunch. We will then continue to the coastal town of Tamarindo where we will check into our hotel, Tamarindo Diria. Dinner on your own. (B, L)
Day 6, Thursday, January 20
This morning will be free for adventure, exploring and shopping. We will meet in the early afternoon for a wonderful catamaran sunset sail tour. A light lunch will be provided, as well as snorkel gear and kayaks. There will be an open bar. The beautiful sunsets of Costa Rica are best seen from the ocean and what a wonderful way to end our great tour! We will return to the hotel in plenty of time for our farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 7, Friday, January 21
Early transfer to San Jose Airport. Flights should be no earlier than 12:30 p.m., as the ride to the airport will be approximately 5 hours. We also offer arrangements for pre and/or post tour add-ons in San Jose and surrounding areas.
Arriving at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose on April 30th, JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters officially began its Costa Rican Adventure. With optimism high and anticipation brimming, the trek along the countryside to Santa Elena Monteverde and on to San Rafael was wondrous and fulfilled what could at first only be imagined. While the roads were rough and arduous, the tropical landscape and abundant wildlife offered a welcomed diversion. In the words of JumpinGoat CEO, Forrest Graves, “Amazing.”
Described by Forrest Graves as “intelligent, warm and sincere”, Ken Lander, administrator of The Common Cup Community Coffee House and Roastery in Monteverde, greeted JumpinGoat at Mata ‘e Cana, a grill and bistro located by The Common Cup. Ken assisted JumpinGoat throughout the trip with translation and communication with the local farmers and their families, tours of the local coffee farms and various sites and good ‘ole non-coffee-related fun. After traveling to Ken’s personal farm and residence, Finca Flor Mar, located in San Rafael de Abangeras, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, JumpinGoat settles in for a sound night of sleep in the midst of breathtaking landscapes and beautifully diversified wildlife.
The morning brings an introduction and productive meeting between Jorge Fonseca, Ken Lander, Roman Reyes and Forrest Graves, JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters. Jorge Fonseca is a local farmer who operates the largest coffee plantation in San Rafael, the Finca Fonseca. Finca Fonseca consists of 153 hectares (equal to 378 acres) with 12 hectares devoted to the production of coffee. Roman Reyes is the coffee production manager for Finca Flor Mar, the farm of Ken Lander. The topic of conversation encompassed the challenges currently facing coffee production and the joining of the two farms, Finca Flor Mar and Finca Fonseca, for the purpose of coffee production. A subsequent exploration and inspection of each cafetal (coffee patch, if you will) ensued as they walked the farm grounds. Interactive discussions and observations of the varieties of Arabica being grown made for an exciting and informative tour. As the Abangares River is born on the Finca Fonseca, JumpinGoat was gifted with the opportunity to visit and view this aesthetic element of nature. From here, JumpinGoat traveled to The Common Cup to participate in the daily roasting classes offered free to guests visiting The Common Cup. As expected, JumpinGoat “jumped” right in to the roasting classes for a fun-filled and relaxing evening.
With preparations made through VIP Travel, Ken Lander and the help of Ran Smith, owner of Pension Santa Elena, Mr. Graves tested out the ziplines at Selvatura Park located in Monteverde’s Cloud Forest, spanning close to two miles across and through the canopy of the tropical rainforest. When questioning Graves regarding his adventure, words to describe soaring through the towering trees and the magnificence of nature could only be summed up by “Once in a lifetime.” The Cloud Forest hikes themselves are rich with exotic beauty, displaying an array of birds, insects and wildlife. Toucans, macaws, bananas and plantains color the terrain. Green mountain vistas and full arched rainbows leave you truly questioning if you have entered paradise.
Day three in the Costa Rican Adventure Tour consists of surveying the farm of Alejandro Garcia Villalobos, the Finca Santa Marta. With such a gracious and welcoming family, JumpinGoat became well acquainted with Alejandro as they explored the estate and talked intimately concerning the problems facing the local farmers. JumpinGoat was given an up-close look at the farming methods and operations of the farm, from seed to cup. A wealth of knowledge was gleaned from Alejandro on the history, the goals and the future of Finca Santa Marta.
One of the most heartfelt moments of the expedition was the tour of the Cloud Forest School in Monteverde. The school is K-11 and dedicated to bilingual education with focus on the significance of sustaining the incredible environment in which they live, as well as the importance of reforestation. Forrest Graves was invited to co-teach the 7th grade class regarding his ideas on a sustainable model for the production and marketing of coffee from the farmer to the consumer. An abundance of wisdom was absorbed from the children regarding their way of life, their future and the difficulties the school encounters with financial support.
After a genuine day interacting with the children at the Cloud Forest School, JumpinGoat visits Alejandro’s coffee shop, El Colibri, situated at the mouth of The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Forrest sits down for a cup of their Café San Marta and for a take on the farmers’ view, as well as coffee shop operations. This visit leads to additional dialogue regarding the farmers’ needs and the current co-op situation. The existing co-op measures are ineffective and failing the Costa Rican farmer. Without help, the farmers are struggling to keep their farms viable. Possibilities of a joint venture and the outcomes of a new and effective sustainability model were discussed in hopes of making a positive impact on the future of coffee in this region.
The last evening was spent at El Angel, a local restaurant overlooking Guanacaste and the Gulfo de Nicoya from 4,000 ft above sea level finalizing the forthcoming possibilities and success of the JumpinGoat Costa Rican Adventure. JumpinGoat was fortunate enough to meet Jorge Calvo, Mayor of Municipality of Abangares, while dining and an exchange of ideas transpired. Jorge Calvo expressed his support in favor of new markets for coffee in the municipality of Abangares and a sustainable initiative for coffee production to bring assistance to farmers in San Rafael.
While the surroundings are as beautiful and exquisite as far as the eye can see, the underlying truth is that the Costa Rican coffee farmers are struggling to maintain their way of life. The illusion of paradise dissipates after intimate conversations and interaction with the local farmers. It becomes apparent to JumpinGoat that the farmers are fighting for the survival of their coffee farms, as the local co-ops have become inadequate. This realization struck to the heart of Forrest Graves. JumpinGoat’s mission regarding coffee business plans and the plight of these farmers became clear and concise. Bonds are forming, minds are turning and the groundwork is being laid; JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters is endeavoring to positively effect Costa Rican coffee farming. Embracing the four pillars of sustainability – social, cultural, economic and environmental - the quest has begun.
Working side-by-side with Ken Lander from The Common Cup and VIP Travel, itinerary arrangements are being finalized for JumpinGoat’s return visit in January 2011 with the JumpinGoat Costa Rican Adventure Tour. All those interested in joining JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters on this venture into a deeper understanding of sustainability initiatives in the world of coffee are welcomed wholeheartedly. What is Forrest Graves planning? Continue to follow the progress of JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters as we update their development. I believe the real adventure is just beginning…
JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters is on a mission. Dedicated to providing the highest quality roasted coffee, exceptional service and the guidance of coffee business plans, JumpinGoat is traveling to Costa Rica to experience the origin of coffee, before it is roasted and even before it is picked. JumpinGoat will explore a hands-on approach to the cultivation of the coffee cherry – walking, talking and working with the local farmers and even harvesting discussions and instruction, as the following trip in January will result in actually picking the berries from the trees. Aspiring to expand knowledge on social and cultural sustainability with applications to coffee shop business plans, JumpinGoat departs Friday, April 30th, destination TheCommon Cup Community Coffee House and Roastery, Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Serving as host to this JumpinGoat adventure, Ken Lander, administrator of The Common Cup, offers the opportunity for coffee entrepreneurs/enthusiasts to participate in the full seed-to-cup process, learning not only a great deal about coffee, but also discovering the values that a non-profit community coffee house can offer. The Common Cup believes in social sustainability, giving 40% of proceeds of the retail sale back to the community for educational and beneficial social services. JumpinGoat is interested in this value system, hoping to garner and amplify these concepts. “JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters seeks to embody as many appreciable aspects of sustainability as possible in our coffee business plan,” stated Forrest Graves, owner of JumpinGoat, and continues, “We have a responsibility to our patrons and supporters to provide coffee that is manufactured with a conscience.” As a motivated and ambitious business owner, Graves looks to introduce several pillars of sustainability, including social, economic, environmental and agricultural. JumpinGoat believes in this mutually beneficial relationship and heads to Costa Rica to view the fruition of The Common Cup and its joint venture with local coffee producers firsthand.
The excitement continues to build as JumpinGoat anticipates direct interaction with the local farmers, experiencing seed-to-cup personally – planting, harvesting, processing, milling, grading, sorting, exporting, cupping, roasting, grinding and brewing. This trip is about “getting your hands dirty” and really understanding the life of the farmer and the method to which coffee is prepared and managed. Face-to-face communication with the producers, navigating the slopes of the mountainside, studying the coffee plant in its natural habitat, observing the cherry in developmental stages and coffee farming at its roots – that’s what this adventure is.
Looking forward to the experience of coffee farming one-on-one and studying the cooperative ideals, JumpinGoat predicts a successful and entertaining endeavor. The wisdom gained from this venture will be abundant. No doubt, the knowledge shared with up and coming coffee businesses and followers of JumpinGoat will be received well. Mr. Graves advocates sharing his coffee business knowledge and promotes these efforts in his coffee roasting business plan training.
JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters invites you to attend the January 2011 JumpinGoat Costa Rican Adventure Tour, as Forrest Graves travels back to Monteverde, leading the tour group along this coffee quest. Explore the coffee world of Costa Rica and witness for yourself what this expedition holds. JumpinGoat would like to extend this invitation to everyone, whether you have a lingering interest in coffee or have expert knowledge in coffee affairs. Follow JumpinGoat Coffee Roasters throughout this adventure as we continue to update their progress and look for upcoming information regarding the January 2011 trip. Travel arrangements for this Costa Rican tour can be made effortlessly with the help of VIP Travel in Cleveland, Georgia. With lots of adventures foreseen, this is going to be one great trip.
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