Dalö Tsána takes its name from a term used in the Cabécar community for the sacred stones and tools used in ceremonies to heal people of various ailments.  What we have created in the mountains of Turrialba is a space for healing, connection, learning, and co-creation, offering a place to connect with nature, work the land, eat fresh food, participate in workshops, use medicinal plants, meditate, exercise, and much more.

Turrialba is one of the healthiest regions of Costa Rica without too much intervention from industries, we live secluded by 2 mountains, with the first neighbor in a walk of 5min. The farm is a special piece of land that has 2 high waterfalls (9mts, 14mts). We use and filter our own water. Soon we plan to have solar power for our mechanics. By itself, as soon as you arrive, you feel at home, at peace.

Next Phase

Our first phase is complete, and with all the experience gained in the volunteer program, we now want to focus fully on medicinal plants and apply all the knowledge gained to provide a quality, safe, and enriching experience. We want to open the farm to those who are interested in learning from start to finish how to work with organic agriculture to establish medicinal plant crops.

For this, we have a classroom where we produce organic inputs, a greenhouse where we store the growing plants, a food garden, and several areas for cultivating medicinal plants. We also have 4 forests of fruit trees and 4 types of bamboo which we plan to use soon for building.

Space

In our 16 hectares, we have 2 waterfalls, gazebos, cooling areas, and a sugar cane mill to produce sugar cane juice according to the traditional method.

• 1 house with 2 rooms each. Each room has 2 bunk beds.
• 1 house in reform, where there are 4 rooms, if someone wants more privacy, are available prior availability and coordination.
• 4 showers, 3 toilets
• Ping pong table
• Waterfalls
• Gim area
• Wifi chill area

Coexistence

We live with 3 dogs, Nero, Chimu, and Lua. We also have 2 cats, Montaña and Lino (mother and son). The cats live in the main house which is being renovated, they are sweet, gentle, and not aggressive but independent. The dogs usually play off-leash, but we have control over them so we can focus on training.

Michael and Lisie live in a separate space, they will run the program and accompany everyone to make the trip a success.

The Farm

• We have a greenhouse, this is where we put the plants that are growing, the tasks are to water the plants because we still do not have automatic irrigation.
• The ¨Trapiche¨ is the traditional place where the sugar cane is crushed to make juice or sugar.
• The classroom is where all the organic inputs are generated and where we teach.
• The viewpoint, a place to rest, and an incredible view of the mountains.
• We have 4 separate forests of fruit trees that we are currently pruning and would like to point out with their respective names.

Organic Farming

We accept all the knowledge that brings growth in terms of growing without chemicals. We have evolved and progressed little by little in the management of our waste and at the same time in the production of our inputs.

The worm compost is in progress. Next, we want to build the new chicken house.

We are sorting our waste for recycling, we have compost and we are experimenting with fertilizers. Work in progress is the creation of our personal hygiene products.

Medicinal plants

We have more than 200 plants and seeds on the farm, at this point, we are finalizing our inventory and updating the methodologies so that we can keep track of not only the plants but the medicines that we produce. We don't have enough resources and hands to do this ongoing work that has affected the lives of multiple local families and people around the world. We are reopening the farm to continue building this place of love, acceptance and healing.

If you are thinking of a gift... bring some seeds :)

Accessible medicine

We have been giving medicine to family, friends, people who come to the farm and the local community. This is done empirically, for some plants there's already enough scientific research, but for others, there's none or minimal knowledge. That's where we are now, we want to start documenting which plants work best for different common conditions that can be used in other regions or find similarities to go global.

Our intention is to start sharing more accessible natural medicine and find ways to link not only plants but also recipes, rituals and mystical wisdom that has been used for ages by the indigenous communities.

What have we done so far?

• We have 250 volunteers (from +22 countries) in our records who have experienced the "Finca".
• 2 trips to the Shipibo community as a result: Plant labels, recycling station, provision of cleaning materials, improvement of the Maloca (the ceremonial room) against mosquitoes, and protection of the wood. Recommendations to support their program.
• 2 activities in the protected area before COVID, then we visited to bring supplies to some affected families. Now we are reopening the indigenous program to support the schools.
• Tools for agricultural work were provided to both communities.
• 57 testimonies of how the Dalö experience has positively impacted the lives of those who came.
• +15 co-workers have given their resources, time and teachings to the Finca.
• 2000 dollars in material donations to the farm
• A rough calculation of $60000 in materials, resources, salaries to make this experience happen. We did not have clarity at the beginning to start tracking everything like gifts, gas, food, etc.
• 50% of the legal documentation is ready to start soon as a non-profit foundation.
• Construction at the farm of 2 new bathrooms, a food garden, a classroom, greenhouse.