Our story
SEED (Society for Ecological Education and Development), as a company was founded in November 2009 by five families from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds representing seven countries who together shared a vision of creating an off grid project in the dense rainforest of Costa Rica inspired by sustainable principles. With a mixture of skills as engineers, agronomist, lawyers, teachers and farmers, each family brought dynamism to the project allowing it to unfold as a creative organic process.
Together the families purchased a 440-acre (180 hectare) property in the mountainous Talamanca region surrounded by three river systems. At that time, the land was only accessible by crossing the river by foot and following cow paths to the area which is now an eight hectare integrated sustainable farm.
This farm was designed and constructed under principles of biodiversity, sustainability, and beauty. Rainwater systems and protein food banks developed at the onset continue to supply the horses, chickens, sheep and ducks with food and water, and compost generated from the animals nourishes the hundreds of fruit trees planted around the farm. The materials such as bamboo and wood used for constructing animal housing primarily came from the property and the surrounding areas. Creative landscaping design incorporated flowering plants as borders integrating a sense of beauty and care throughout the property. The project is located strategically 20 minutes from the beautiful beaches of the Cahuita National Park.
Location of the project. Source Google EARTH
SEED Goals
To develop and continue to build a sustainable agriculture and reforestation project
To provide a real estate project where lot owners build their own sustainable homes
To work towards development and growth of educational activities inside and outside SEED
Ensure that SEED continues to be an economically and environmentally sustainable Project
MISSION
To develop and demonstrate ways to build sustainable living models that can thrive while maintaining a balance with the natural environment. We do this by bridging the western scientific knowledge with indigenous and local knowledge while collaborating with our neighboring communities.
VISION
Our founders
The original founders of the project consist of 5 professionals from distinct nationalities. They are motivated by their desire to share their knowledge with others, bringing it into the larger community.
Dr. Khosrow Farahbakhsh, a Canadian professional engineer and a former professor of environmental engineering with expertise in water, energy and waste management and sustainable design. He currently lives at SEED. With more than 25 years of experience as a professor and consultant on environmental issues, Khosrow currently serves as the project treasurer and co-manager of the integrated farm.
Carsten Tiemann, a German entrepreneur who has put down roots in the area and has a parallel project to SEED in the region with the same unifying concepts. He lives with his family leading environmental protection projects and overseeing volunteering. Ken serves on the project's board of directors.
Ian Macaulay is a visual artist and entrepreneur from the United States of America who invested in the project. He also manages his own permaculture design center.
Alex Pacheco, a Colombian agronomist with a Ph.D. in sustainable agriculture has more than 15 years experience as a professor in a leading university in the region. He conceived the conceptual development of the project during the creation of the master plan and supervised the establishment phase. He currently serves as the project secretary.
Jorge Morales, a Costa Rican electromechanical engineer with a Master's degree in Business Administration and Finance leads the administration of the project and has collaborated in the development of and establishment of the project and its infrastructure. He currently serves as President of the Board of Directors.