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Agricultural Systems Management Club Goes to Costa Rica
By Justin Otto, Corner Post staff (posted 1/31/05)

The Agricultural Systems Management Club traveled to Costa Rica over winter break to compare and contrast the differences in agriculture between the two cultures. The trip cost the students $2,300 dollars, which covered airfare and meals. In return, the 20 students who attended received three hours of credit and an experience they’ll never forget.

“It’s hard for me to pick my favorite moment of the trip because the entire thing was just amazing,” Amanda Walker, an ASM student from MU, said.

During the 14 day visit, the students got to visit dairy farms, beef farms, a volcano and the rainforest. Matt Beach, who also enjoyed the trip, said it made him appreciate what he had at home.

“It’s just a different way of life in Costa Rica,” Beach said. “We’re just so much more mechanized in the United States. Everyone in Costa Rica used hand labor to pick the crops because it’s so cheap.”

According to Beach, the main crops were coffee beans, corn, pineapple and some sugar cane. The trip was organized through the Monte Verde Institute in Costa Rico.

The Monte Verde Institute has worked with MU before by sponsoring a study abroad program for Forestry, Tourism and Rural Sociology.

The ASM club took Spanish classes to help them with the native language and culture. Even with the classes, Beach said he had a little trouble communicating.

“The language barrier was a bit of a problem, but we had a great translator to help us during the trip,” Beach said.

The students also took a class in Agro Forest Restoration. The lecture showed the group how the rain forest was being revitalized in Costa Rica. The students got to experience the rainforest first hand by participating in a program called Sky Track. By using cables and pulleys the students were able to use a harness to slide through the canopy, “It was a neat experience because it gave us a totally different perspective,” said Walker.

Walker also got a very different view of housing. Walker said that for a few nights the club stayed in a cabin in the rainforest. Walker said there weren’t screens in the doors or windows.. “No animals came in but if they had wanted to, there was nothing stopping them.”

Sandy Zaring, Administrative Assistant in ASM and chaperone, also commented on the cabins.

“The hotel was open air, which means there weren’t any screens, doors or insulation,” Zaring said.

Zaring, thought of as a second Mom by the students, said they were very well behaved on the trip. The students also went white water rafting while in Costa Rica.

The ASM club has also taken trips to Brazil and Germany. This spring the club will visit Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. Next winter the club hopes to go to Mexico.

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