EARTH University: Hope to the Humid Tropics

Building a Better Future Since 1990

Perhaps you've seen EARTH University bananas or pineapples at Whole Foods Market and wondered what makes them different from a regular banana. EARTH University, located in Costa Rica, is dedicated to building a better future for the countries and communities of the humid tropics. A lofty goal, considering the University's humble beginnings. From conception to inauguration, this amazing university took four years to become a reality and in the spring of 1990 the pioneer class of EARTH University took their first steps towards achieving their goals and making the world a better place. EARTH boasts a teaching staff from all over the world, including Spain, the U.S. and Panama and serves just over 400 students from nineteen different countries across South and Central America. What is it, exactly, that makes this University different from others? Honestly ... just about everything!

Mission Possible

EARTH University's mission can be summed up in one higher-purpose sentence: "all the actions and efforts are directed toward building a future in which the humid tropics and its communities achieve social, economic and environmental well-being." This school is devoted to bringing about positive, life-altering change through innovative agricultural education. EARTH University is committed to preparing their multi-cultural students for life in agri-business. They hope their students will emerge from the program equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to become successful, ethical leaders in their home countries and the world community. The good news is that they are achieving their goals and many EARTH graduates have become avid supporters of sustainable agriculture across the globe, doing their part to make the world a better place.

Guaranteeing Socially Responsible Production--One Banana at a Time

Professors teach their students, through hands-on experience, how to be excellent agriculturalists, letting them get their fingers into the soil and taste the fruits (literally) of their labors. In turn, the students learn to believe in themselves and the difference they can make by getting their education. Their successes not only benefit Mother Earth, but their countries, their social classes and their genders as well. With all the students living on campus, students learn from other cultures and expand their perspectives of the world. Not to mention, the cross-cultural friendships and networks the students build last a lifetime.

Consider the story of Jumara Sasaski. After graduating in 1997, she returned to Brazil to take a position managing a large portion of a huge banana plantation--a position almost exclusively held by men in that society. In fact, she's the only woman working on site. Her EARTH University education and expertise were just too good to ignore!

A Big Change

In 2007, EARTH University became the first Latin American host of the Global Consortium of Higher Education and Research for Agriculture (GCHERA). The current president of GCHERA, Dr. Nick Wanjohi, summed up the purpose and intent of EARTH University well during one of his speeches. "What we have learned [here] is for the good of humanity; we should think and rethink about how we can improve the world and generate relevant change in agriculture." EARTH University continues to grow (they've gone from 8,154 acres to 570,280 acres and they opened a satellite campus in 2005). Look for them to continue to change the world through agriculture and education. And look for them in the produce section at Whole Foods Market.

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