The Community
We are blessed with a robust network of friends and family. Rooted in the years spent at Punta Mona cultivating a family of people striving for a simple, connected, and impactful way of life; we continue growing our community and deepening our connections with our neighbors in the Machuca Valley, throughout Costa Rica, and all around the world
Our Story
We all met at Punta Mona, an off grid farm nestled in the rain forest of the Caribbean coast. It was one of the oldest Permaculture projects in Costa Rica with an epic collection of native plants and exotic fruits. It was created by Stephen Brooks and his father Norman and was stewarded by an ever-evolving community from around the world. United by shared values, diverse skill-sets, and our dream of cultivating profound connection with our environment; the jungle was our home...until it wasn't. Punta Mona was abruptly closed down by the government in 2021 due to zoning and permitting issues. We were heartbroken and homeless.
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Over the next couple years we each explored new opportunities; visiting other farms and projects, taking jobs, and traveling Central America. But nothing quite captured the joy, expression, and sense of purpose we each found working together at Punta Mona. So when the opportunity to steward a new project in the Machuca River valley, we be began gravitating back together and building a home together at La Huerta.
The Land
The land of La Huerta is part of the watershed for the Machuca River in central Costa Rica located at 450m above sea level. It is five hectares located on a fairly steep hillside with a large flat area at the bottom. Historically, the land was part of the vast kingdom of the Huetar people. It is thought to have been a primary forest; a jungle unoccupied by settlements until the 20th century.
Though now known for progressive conservation policies, Costa Rica was once actively promoted intense deforestation efforts. Old growth forests were logged and most-often replaced by cattle ranches. Between the years of 1940 and 1980 the country saw a dramatic shift from 75% forests to 21% before conservation efforts finally found their footing. It's most likely that during this era is when the land here was initially deforested. For many decades the land was primarily used for cattle with an old mango grove and a small forested creek making up one of the property lines.
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After the abrupt closure of Punta Mona, this land was purchased by Stephen Brooks in 2021. It was used as a pop-up hosting site to host several groups that were scheduled to stay at Punta Mona. It was rustic, it was dusty, and it was a far cry from our jungle paradise. Stephen had too many projects on his plate to manage the land himself, so after the completion of the events the land sat untended. Stephen approached Rob, the former farm manager of Punta Mona about overseeing a project on the land. Rob was given creative control, as well as stake in the project in exchange for his stewardship.
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Rob and his partner Celia moved onto the property in 2022 and began to re-imagine and reshape the land. Over the next two years Peter and Dave joined the team and became permanent residents of La Huerta. Our dream continues to develop and grow. You can learn more about what has been created so far at La Huerta by exploring the Farm page, or keep scrolling to learn more about our residents and values.
Our Residents
Rob Morales
Rob grew up in the south of Spain and went to school for Marine Biology before gaining an interest in regenerative living. He was the farm manager at Punta Mona and has been the architect and engineer for the earth works, tree systems, and structures at La Huerta.
Celia Hale
Celia grew up in Colorado and has spent her life studying all aspects of regenerative living. She’s an herbalist, natural builder, teacher, and low-key genius. Her latest passion has been natural plasters and paints which can be found throughout the farm.
Peter Kolev
Peter is originally from Bulgaria and has a degree in Economics. He lived in the Yucatan Peninsula for 8 years as a nature guide before coming to Costa Rica. Some of his passions include compost, microbiology, and alternative financial systems.
Dave Eaton
Dave grew up in the Pacific Northwest of the USA and got his degree in Psychology before focusing on management, human resources, and volunteer coordination. In addition to plants and people, he loves puzzles and games of all kinds and has a big heart.
Romi
Suri
Sola
In addition to our permanent residents, we have lots of other people who are a part of the La Huerta. Some like Charlotte, Javi, and Steve come seasonally to help support us during our hosting season, and others pass through regularly on their travels. We are excited to keep growing and invite more people to join us in the future. We hope to have volunteer options available in the coming years.
Our Values
With our different cultural backgrounds and belief systems, it is our shared values are what bring us together as a community. These are things we strive for in our day lives, as well as what we create here at La Huerta: from the design of the spaces and systems to our relationships with each other and the world.
Regeneration
Service, Abundance, Leaving things better than you found them
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Curiosity
Experimentation, Education and Lifelong Learning, presence, trusting the innate intelligence of nature, playfulness
Sovereignty
Self-Reliance, Self-Advocacy, Responsibility, Independence, Honoring diversity, Resourcefulness
Family
Connection, Roots, Honoring Heritage of our planet and its people.
Sharing
Fair-share, Generosity, Outreach, Community, Collaboration, Inclusion
Transparency
Integrity, Open communication, Accountability, Authenticity, Trust,
Joy
Passion, Health, Well Being, Play
