About.
"Rancho Mastatal is an education center and community rooted in environmental sustainability, meaningful, place-based livelihoods and healthy caring relationships.
We provide powerful educational opportunities through our inspirational, experiential programs and onsite network of integrated, working systems.
Our practices are appropriate to our rural, tropical, environment; are replicable; and embody competencies and philosophical tenants which are also applicable in other regions of the world. Our programs reach a cross-generational, cross-cultural audience and are accessible to a range of demographics.
Our dynamic community encompasses the people of our region, the Ranch team, and many of the people that participate in our varied programs. Our core team is able to provide for itself through agricultural, food-based, building, and educational activities, which simultaneously create and strengthen a viable web of local economies and healthy, sustainable, products and services. Our own financial livelihoods both contribute to and are dependent upon these local economies.
The Ranch provides its local staff with secure, well-paying jobs, educational opportunities, and a caring workplace. A well-organized financial structure allows us to make fiscal decisions that support our members and community while preparing for an increasingly challenging global environment.
Rancho Mastatal takes into consideration environmental concerns from a personal to a global perspective and develops models, techniques, and solutions that are regenerative, regionally appropriate, and maintainable. We are committed to sourcing our food and building materials locally while maximizing the utility of our diversified farm. We promote community resiliency by supporting regional efforts to assure clean water, healthy food, fertile agricultural land, and safe, naturally constructed buildings.
Bookings.
The Hooch
The Hooch is outfitted with one double bed and two single beds on two floors and sleeps up to four people. It features a beautiful bamboo floor. Guests staying in the Hooch share two beautiful showers and an awesome composting toilet with with our apprentices in a nearby, separate structure. This option is appropriate for those guests looking for a unique experience and is not appropriate for people uncomfortable going up and down ladders or families with children under 6 years old. Due to the nature of bamboo's flexibility, the Hooch does move a bit as you do. The Hooch has perfect access to many of our trails, swimming holes, forests and waterfalls.
Personalized Day Workshop
Introduction to Permaculture Principles
Experience the principles of permaculture in action! From starting small to accelerating succession to energy efficient planning we will explore the practical application of these principles around our site.
Plants for the Tropical Homestead
Explore the perennial vegetables, medicinal plants, and trees crops which feed and heal us in the humid tropics.
Plant Propagation
Spend time in our nursery learning the art and science of seed starting and vegetative plant
propagation; including cuttings, layering, and grafting.
Tropical Agroforestry Tour
Walk through the Ranch’s agroforestry systems in order to understand the holistic approach we have taken toward creating a more resilient, place-based, and permanent agriculture.
Soil Fertility Strategies
Learn how we cultivate a healthy soil in our harsh tropical climate. We will focus on biomass species, biochar production, and microoganism cultivation.
Making Your Own Soap
Learn about basic soap chemistry and how to make your own soap using locally sourced oils and fats.
Starting Your Own Permaculture Project
Learn how the Ranch got started, how it has structured its projects and people, and how it has taken on the many challenges of managing a permaculture project in the tropics.
Sauerkraut and Kimchi in any Climate!
Fermentation is a technique that has been used for thousands of years to preserve food. In this workshop learn how to make your own versions of two classic vegetable ferments—sauerkraut and kimchi. The methods you learn can be applied to many different types of vegetables, in any climate.
Fermenting Vegetables for Health and Nutrition: Techniques in Brining
Live culture fermented foods form a crucial component to a healthy diet and digestive tract. In this class you will learn some of the science and magic behind fermentation, as well as simple techniques for making your own fermented vegetables at home, no matter where you live.
Introduction to Brewing Live-Culture Herbal Sodas
Learn how to brew your own homemade live-culture sodas with local sugars, fruit juices, and herbs! These delicious and healthy sodas are packed with vitamins and minerals, herbal medicines, and probiotics. This class includes your own SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast) to get your own batches going as soon as you get home.
Basic Gluten-Free Herbal Beers
It ss much easier than you thought to brew your own alcohol. Learn the basic principles behind brewing, and how to make simple brews at home with local herbs. You don’t need barley! This class may change your life.
Bernie's Bungalows
Starboard Cork
Key Stats.
Year founded
2000
Size of project site
120 hectares
Languages spoken
- English
- Espanol
People on site
12 - 40
Dry season
January to August
Wet season
September to December
Living Conditions.
Sleeping
- entire house
- shared rooms
- private room
Omnivore Food
- communally cooked meals
- over 80% locally sourced
Internet
- slow: emails only
Ongoing classes
- permaculture1-2 times per week
- nutrition/cookingmultiple times a day
Opportunities
Rancho Mastatal Sustainability Education Center is currently offering the following opportunities:
- Permaculture
- natural building
- Agroforestry
- Whole foods processing
- beekeeping
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