"This farm means so much to me, because Alvaro put so much hard work into it. He was always an incredibly positive person who looked to the future and never became bogged down with the past. When I think of him, I feel the desire to be just as strong and optimistic for myself and for my family."
-Eliza Mata-Leiton
Alvaro's Organic Farm: Trapiche Don Simon
From the Trapiche Don Simon constructed by Alvaro, to the handsewn animals Eliza brings to life, it's clear this farm is a work of love.
In 1997, the Mata-Leiton family consisting of Eliza, her husband Alvaro, and their young daughter, Adrianna Cruz, moved from Lower San Luis and ultimately settled onto one of the last Finca La Bella parcels. Though there were several coffee plants already planted on the farm, the family decided to head in a different direction and primarily produce sugar cane. As they accumulated more money from selling sugar cane and giving tours to University of Georgia in Costa Rica (UGA) students and tourists, Alvaro worked on constructing the Trapiche Don Simon. This is an old fashioned sugar cane processor named after Eliza's grandfather that is powered by two oxen and crushes the hardy cane until its sweet water is pressed out. Eliza and her family have a fondness for the Trapiche, because it is one of the only ones left in the San Luis and Monteverde region. They enjoy making sugar cane sweets called dulces just as their ancestors did. Today, after approximately 15 years of living on the farm, the family still mainly produces sugar cane, but grows some coffee, corn, and beans that are used to feed the family and diversify the farm ecology.
In 2015, the beloved Alvaro passed away from cancer and Eliza has been in charge of the farm ever since. She carries on many of her late
husband's practices, such as using as
few chemicals as possible. The only time she has ever used chemicals in 15 years was this year when a fungal disease called Roya began killing her coffee plants. However, Eliza tries her utmost to use organic methods. Eliza says sparing the plants from chemicals is healthier for them and people. She explains, "We don't want to have a negative effect on the environment. We want to live in harmony with nature."
Eiza gives tours of the farm upon appointment and enjoys sharing the story of how she and Alvaro shaped the farm. These tours cover not only the story of the family's personal farm, but how Finca La Bella came to be and what remains of it today. Eliza, who made crafts at the Women's Cooperative of Santa Elena for 15 years, has artisan bookmarks, ornaments, sunglasses covers, and tapestries for sale as well.