Costa Rica Tropical Gardens

Horizontes brings you this trip with our travel partner

Missouri Master Gardener

Exploring Global Resources through Extension Training (EGRET)
Program Synopsis for Master Gardener Study Tour to Costa Rica

The mission of Missouri’s Master Gardeners is “Helping Others Learn to Grow.” As part of the outreach efforts of University Outreach and Extension, Master Gardeners involve people in improving the quality of life and enhancing the economy and environment through horticultural education. This study trip is designed to provide our Master Gardeners a view of our horticultural environment through the eyes of another culture and environment.

The study tour is designed with University Outreach and Extension Master Gardeners in mind. For the first-time traveler, information will be provided to assist you in making the decision to participate and to travel to Costa Rica. For the seasoned traveler wanting a tour that is not tour agency cook-booked, Master Gardener – Costa Rica may be the answer. For either traveler, this study tour is all about plants, plants, and more plants. We will also include bird watching, butterflies, and sightseeing. But tropical flowers, medicinal plants, trees, and fruits are the primary menu.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this study tour are to provide our Missouri Master Gardeners the opportunity to:

  1. Gain first hand experience and knowledge of global horticulture.
  2. Compare differing horticultural production technologies, management and marketing approaches.
  3. Gain knowledge of tropical horticulture production systems.
  4. Gain an understanding for interrelationships of world economies and societies.
  5. Gain a new perspective of how extension faces the issues of a global society and economy in another country and culture.
Study tour to Costa Rica, 2004

The first day of the study trip will be spent in training at our departure site. Although optional, it is built into the trip. The day will include both language training and cultural adaptation that will assist with the study trip. It also allows for everyone to arrive at the departure airport in plenty of time, in case winter presents weather-related delays. Our departure is expected to be an early morning departure in order for our noon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica. The tentative plan is that our pre-departure training and accommodations will be in a hotel near the Kansas City airport. This is a cost effective location and offers free parking while out-of-country and free transportation to and from our KCI terminal.

The second stage of the training is the 8-day study tour to Costa Rica. During the time of year for this trip, the weather should be dry with warm days and cool evenings, and since this is the dry season, we should have little rain. Costa Rica in general offers a number of advantages as a training site. Although Spanish is the official language, it represents a minimal barrier. In fact, when dealing with a global economy and society, language is just part of the picture. Travel and other costs are relatively reasonable and quite modern and health concerns are minimal. From an overall standpoint, Costa Rica is an excellent country to use for a horticultural study tour for Missouri’s Master Gardeners.

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