Finca San Andres

About San Andres | Accomodation | Volunteer Activities | Recreation Activities

Finca (Farm) San Andres is a family run organic farm in the rolling mountains on the western slopes of the Andean range. It combines sound techniques of organic farming, self sustainability, space management to reduce forest clearance, and protection and regeneration of beautiful primary forest.

The finca lies at between 700 and 900 metres above sea level, 45 minutes drive from the colourful city of Santo Domingo, home of the Colorados; a tribe of Indians that still today roam the streets in their eccentric attire and with their red painted obscurely cut hair.

Finca San Andres is easily accessible via the Panamerican highway, two hours bus journey from the bustling Ecuadorian capital of Quito. From the Panamerican highway, the Finca is around 20-30 minutes drive into the Andean foothills. From here you are also close to the beautiful coastal fishing village of Pedernales, for a weekend trip to soak up the sun.

The finca is run by the very friendly Tapia family, with Gustavo, Hidalga and their seven beautiful children who help out on the farm between school hours and homework endeavours. Gustavo is a very experienced naturalist; having worked with Andean Spectacled Bears for three years and has a great knowledge on Ecuadorian flora and fauna. He also is experienced in organic farming and makes natural pesticides using concoctions including ingredients such as chili peppers, garlic and onion.

Of the 45 hectares of land in Finca San Andres, approximately 30 are untouched forest and are home to a number of beautiful and rare species including monkeys, wild pigs, pacas (guanta), guatuso, giant snails, four species of toucan, and a number of different hummingbird species to name but a few. Also belonging to the finca is a 1 km stretch of the river Toachi and 14 beautiful waterfalls that cascade down the forested mountainside into the river.

Finca San Andres is the only farm in the area devoted to nature conservation and space management to reduce the felling of trees. The majority of other farms are not interested in conservation and actually laugh at Gustavo for his forest protection beliefs. This is due to a complete lack of education in the area on the importance of conservation and alternative methods of farming without the destruction of forest. Gustavo intends on his farm to provide a successful example of how to run an environmentally friendly organic farm to his neighbouring farmers. Hopefully Gustavo will have the last laugh and you can help him!

Organic Farming

The finca prides itself on its self sustainability without the use of chemical pestides. A number of crops grow successfully using organic techniques including sugar cane, bananas, plantains, yucca, potato, carrot, parsnip, onion and chilli pepper amongst others.

Also, livestock are organically fed and well looked after on the farm. Domestic animals housed at the finca are cows, pigs, horses, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, tilapia fish and the family dog, ‘Cuka’. The Tilapia fish is a local delicacy and is mouthwateringly tasty, especially when collected straight from the piscinas (pools).

Sugar Production

The farm also homes one of the only remaining traditional horse drawn panela sugar factories in Ecuador, which now is a technique only used in the local area with many now converting to motorized methods. This is a unique spectacle to watch and it is also possible to get in on the action. The horses circuit the sugar cane grinder, working the cogs to squeeze sugar juice from the cane. The juice is then sieved and passes to the big ‘pan’ to be boiled down under close scrutiny (a delicate multi-staged process) until of the consistency to make the sugar. The pan is fuelled by burning dried sugar cane in the oven below, keeping with the farms self sustainable principals.

Once the sugar is of the correct consistency, it is transferred from the pan to a cooling tray, where it is mixed whilst cooling and refined into panela sugar granules. Then it is bagged up ready for sale at the Wednesday sugar sales where people come from afar to buy the areas renowned quality panela sugar.

Reforestation

Finca San Andres is also planning on a number of reforestation schemes throughout the area, to aid local communities and the flora and fauna of the area.

Unfortunately, deforestation has been a problem in the past in the area surrounding the finca, leading to problems with water supply, especially in the dry summer months. With the help of international volunteers, the river sources will be reforested to increase the flow of water in rivers and counteract the problem of drought in the summer months.

Also, on the farm itself and where permitted on land of neighbouring farmers, reforestation will take place in concordance with keeping a good arboreal balance and maintaining forest dynamics. Seeds from various tree species will be collected from the San Andres forest and dried in preparation for planting, and then planted in the river sources and around the finca and local area to aid resident wild animal populations.