Sustainability: It’s All in the Family
A family of dairy farmers dedicate their lives to the forest, sustainability, and, at the heart of it all, love.
In a Cloud Forest
High in the Central American mountains, you'll find a family who lives a life of kinship, not only with each other, but with the natural world. Their enthusiasm for a more connected human experience can be felt by anyone who visits.
A Grand Experiment
Maxine and her late husband moved here in the 60s. They fell in love with the cloud forest, eventually expanding their family and building a dairy farm.
Sustainability Runs Deep
Now the property hosts Cerro Vueltas, an eco-lodge that provides tours of their sustainability initiatives. They've been visited by student groups, researchers, and journalists, showing travelers how humans can return to living in concert with nature.
Supporting Local Food Systems
Andy, pictured here, is one of Maxine's four children that help run Cerro Vueltas. Any food not grown or produced on their land comes from neighboring farms.
Everyone Plays a Part
Four generations can be found contributing to Cerro Vueltas. From milking the cows at dawn to joining policy meetings, everyone invests in the future of the forest and the family.
A Circular System
The family has worked hard to minimize their resource usage and waste. Hydro and solar powered electricity run the property. Food waste is fed to pigs and worms to create compost or input for their methane gas incubator.
If the Trees Could Talk
Some of the most awe inspiring features of the forest include ancient trees, with many estimated to be 500+ years old. Some are hollowed out, making a perfect habitat for critters big and small. On a single tree, you can find tens of plant species co-existing in the branches and on the bark. Just steps away from Cerro Vueltas, these trees embody the family’s efforts to exclude deforestation from the area.
The Best of Both Worlds
Visitors can learn about sustainable practices, view incredible wildlife, and meet leading experts, all while enjoying artisan cheeses made on the farm. No one has to choose between farm and forest.
Came for the Research
Given the area's humidity and climate, the forest root systems are a hotbed for microbial activity, making it a perfect place to conduct microbial research. Dr. Roberto Díaz Rojas, pictured here, visited Cerro Vueltas over a decade ago to meet the family and explore the microbial communities in the adjacent forest. He never left. Now married to Maxine’s daughter, Janie, he can be seen corralling their two sons and sharing his passion for the local ecosystem.
A Model of Cohabitation
The people who visit and live in Cerro Vueltas are not the only ones benefiting from the Seeley vision. Wildlife is abundant here, with pollinators, birds, and mammals finding sanctuary in the trees.
The Seeley Legacy
Maxine greets all visitors. She'll tell you herself, this place was built on love. Because of that, she explains, they've had a wonderful life. Together, they've created biologic corridors, thwarted deforestation efforts, and protected ancient trees.
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