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VOLUNTEER IN
ECO-AGRICULTURE

VOLUNTEER ABROAD IN SUSTAINABLE FARMING

In Latin America, agriculture employs more than one-third of the population. However, working conditions are less than ideal and the environmental impact can be negative. Various NGOs and farming cooperatives work hard to include organic and sustainable practices in their farming methods, as well as traditional agricultural techniques that have been around for hundreds of years. Experience some of the most interesting service projects in the world and learn to reap what you sow.

International volunteers help with these alternative agriculture programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Eco-agriculture and responsible farming relies on more hands-in-the field than modern industrial farming, and your help is a critical part of achieving sustainability. As an international volunteer, your work may include producing organic coffee from bean to cup, working on macadamia nut and permaculture farms, and helping to grow local tea and cacao in collective farming projects.

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– At least 18 years of age
– Participants under 18 are welcome when there is a faculty leader, parent, or guardian present
– Healthy and physically prepared to do manual labor in a rural setting
– Flexible; Willing to do various tasks based on season and project needs
– Hard working, ready to do anything!
– Positive mindset
– Spanish language skills are not required

VOLUNTEER VIDEO

Work Schedule

– Guatemala & Peru minimum commitment 1 week; we recommend 2 weeks or longer
– Costa Rica minimum commitment 2 weeks or longer
– 3-4 hours/day of volunteer work, Monday through Friday
– Work hours are morning or afternoon depending on project
– Projects may near the Maximo Nivel institutes or “off-site” depending on projects and destinations

WHAT TO EXPECT

– Airport pick-up
– Host family accommodations (shared room)
– Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
– 3-4 hours/day practical work, Monday-Friday
– Official certificate of volunteer service
– Letter of recommendation
– Emergency contact number 24/7

AND MUCH MORE!

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Antigua
Guatemala		 Cusco
Peru		 San Jose
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica
1 week $735 $735 $845 –
2 weeks $995 $995 $1,145 $1,245
3 weeks $1,195 $1,195 $1,445 $1,545
4 weeks $1,395 $1,395 $1,715 $1,815
Additional Week $185 $185 $195 $195

*A special project surcharge of $95/week applies to medical, conservation, and construction projects.

Why I Maximo Nivel

I had a great experience working at the Coffee Farm project. The host mom is a great cook, and the work we did every day with the local farmers felt important and impactful. Overall I would definitely recommend this program to anyone interested in coffee and community service. I had a lot of opportunities to practice Spanish as well, in addition to exploring the area and playing soccer with a local team.

Curtis D.
Volunteer in Farms and Agriculture Abroad

WHAT WILL YOU DO AS AN
ECO-AGRICULTURE VOLUNTEER?

Maximo Nivel volunteers work alongside local farmers and their communities. You provide support and participate in every step of production—growing, harvesting, and processing. This includes picking, weeding, planting, processing, and packaging of the final product for local and international sales. You may also participate in reforestation efforts and community outreach.

In Costa Rica, volunteers work at offsite projects several hours away from the Maximo Nivel institute. Offsite projects may not have reliable internet service, but there is a phone in case of emergency. Our Field Managers check in with you by phone and in-person throughout your program.

In Guatemala, volunteers work with local projects close to the Maximo Nivel institute, just outside of the city of Antigua. Projects vary from sustainable coffee farms, macadamia farms, and permaculture farms. There is always plenty of work to do all year round!

In Peru, the eco-agriculture placement takes place in the Huyro Region in the highlands of the Amazonian rainforest, approximately 3 hours from Maximo Nivel in Cusco. Here you work with local tea, coffee, and cacao growers in a collective farming project.

Agriculture projects are directed by local professionals. Specific tasks vary greatly and program supervisors let you work as independently as possible based on your Spanish language skills, responsibility level, and expertise. You are expected to take direction and follow the required work plan.

Conservation projects are located offsite and away from the Maximo Nivel institutes. Most of our offsite projects do not have internet access, but there is a phone in case of emergency. Our Field Managers check in with you by phone and in-person throughout your program.

If you are scheduled to work at an offsite eco-agriculture project, you receive general orientation on Day 1, followed by an orientation specifically for your project. Travel to/from your project is clearly explained and you receive your transportation tickets, which are included in your program fees. Depending on your project and bus schedules, you leave for your volunteer placement on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. Eco-agriculture volunteers who arrive on Monday instead of Sunday may not get to their volunteer site until Tuesday or Wednesday. At the end of your program, bus transportation back from your project site is also included in your program fees. Volunteers usually return either Friday night or very early Saturday morning.

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ORGANIC COFFEE FARMING
IN COSTA RICA

Industrial farming damages the environment and threatens human health with air pollution and water pollution. The eco-agriculture projects place volunteers in the Monteverde Cloud Forest or Brunca region of the Talamanca mountains where you work with local coffee growers who practice sustainable farming.

Responsible farming takes more human labor, so volunteers are always needed and truly appreciated. As an international volunteer, you work in every step of coffee production including picking, weeding, planting shade trees, roasting, and even packaging. You also provide support for reforestation efforts and various community education activities.

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Volunteer in Organic Coffee Farms in Costa Rica
Volunteer in Sustainable Farms in Guatemala

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE &
PERMACULTURE IN GUATEMALA

In Guatemala, the use of responsible farming methods has taken hold because they help eliminate threats to the environment and human health. However, sustainable farming does not come without a cost, as local farmers need more hands in the field to maintain optimal production.

As an international volunteer, you work with local farmers just outside of Antigua where you learn all about the sustainable farming of coffee and macadamia nuts, and you participate in every step of the production process including picking, weeding, planting, processing, and packaging.

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ECO-AGRICULTURE
IN PERU

Eco-agriculture projects in Peru take place in the Sacred Valley, approximately 1 hour from Maximo Nivel Cusco, and in the Huyro Region in the highlands of the Amazon rainforest, approximately 3 hours from Maximo Nivel in Cusco. International volunteers work with local tea, coffee, and cacao growers in a collective farming project. The impact of these projects focuses on efficient farming practices and environmental sustainability.

As an international volunteer, you work in every step of the production and also provide support for reforestation efforts and various community activities. You get first-hand experience with the production of some of the highest quality tea, coffee, and chocolate in the world and experience traditional life with a Peruvian farming family.

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Volunteer in Farms and Agriculture in Peru
Volunteer Abroad Video

We bring structure and organization to your volunteer program, and we match you with the best project according to your personal goals and the positive impact you want to have. Schedule a call with a program advisor today!

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH
MAXIMO NIVEL?

Maximo Nivel has been offering volunteer abroad programs since 2003. We are a locally-based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Our volunteer program fees are affordable and transparent.

  • New volunteer programs start every Monday year-round
  • Professional Field Managers
  • Volunteer programs available from 1-52 weeks
  • All-inclusive—accommodations, meals, and many extras
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • Academic credit available
  • No Registration or processing fees
  • All-inclusive program fees from $735
  • 10-Year Payment Guarantee

EARN ACADEMIC CREDIT

FOR VOLUNTEER ABROAD & SERVICE LEARNING

Maximo Nivel is one of the few organizations in the world to offer academic credit for volunteer abroad and service learning programs. Our School of Record issues official transcripts and academic credit for your program. Get the credit you earn!

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Academic Credit for Volunteering Abroad

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