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Our story
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 the grid project in the dense rainforest of Costa Rica inspired by sustainable principles. With a mixture of skills as engineers, agronomist, lawyers, educators and permaculturalists, each family brought dynamism to the project allowing it to unfold as a creative organic process.
Together the families purchased a 370-acre (150 hectare) property in the mountainous of the 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 an area which is now an eight hectare integrated sustainable farm.
This farm was designed and constructed under principles of biodiversity, sustainability, functionality and beauty. Rainwater harvesting systems and protein food banks developed at the onset and continue to supply the chickens, sheep and ducks with food and water, and compost generated from the animals nourishes the hundreds of fruit trees planted around the farm. Construction materials such as bamboo and wood used for constructing all structures 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. Click here for the Google Maps location.
Click Here for a Google Map Location
SEED Goals
SEED Goals
To create models of sustainable living and community development
To protect and enhance the rich and diverse natural environment that is entrusted to our care
To create unique opportunities for learning and community engagement
To bridge scientific, indigenous and local ways of knowing and development
To work closely with neighboring communities and individuals in the spirit of reciprocity and collaboration
MISSION
MISSION
To be responsible stewards of the forest, the rich natural environment that has been entrusted to us. We do this by practicing low-impact development and sustainable building practices, reforestation, organic and integrated agriculture and in the spirit of love, reciprocity and cooperation.
To be responsible stewards of the forest, the rich natural environment that has been entrusted to us. We do this by practicing low-impact development and sustainable building practices, reforestation, organic and integrated agriculture and in the spirit of love, reciprocity and cooperation.
VISION
VISION
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.
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.
Our founders
Our founders
The original founders of the project consist of 6 professionals from distinct nationalities. They were motivated by their desire to share their passion and experience in sustainable development with others and with 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 project.
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.
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 the secretary of the Board of Directors and the co-manager of the project.
Rachel Bamdas is the current president of SEED and the co-manager of the project.
Rachel brings her love for community agriculture, training in rural development and experience in directing not for profit organizations to draw schools, community organizations and visitors from across the globe to SEED as a place for learning and practicing sustainable living . Rachel has developed various programs including the popular Immersions, retreats and school programs with Indigenous families, Costa Ricans, educational institutions with a focus on building reciprocal relationships and cooperation.
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