The Seed Fair in La Gamba has long since become a vibrant meeting place that reaches far beyond the region. Year after year, interest grows—and in 2026 we were able to welcome more than 240 visitors from all over Costa Rica as well as from various countries, including even a delegation from Luxembourg.
What makes this event so special is its deep roots in the community. For the COBIGA project, close cooperation with the local population is not a side issue, but a key requirement for successful reforestation in the long term. The Seed Fair expresses exactly that: people meet here as equals—residents from La Gamba, dedicated project staff, and the team from the Tropical Research Station.
Together, a space is created for exchange, learning, and inspiration. At the heart of it are seeds, knowledge, and experiences related to native plant species—a valuable treasure passed down from generation to generation. At the same time, the fair offers an impressive variety of regional products: from agricultural produce and seeds to handicrafts made from local materials, as well as traditional foods and innovative products from the Tropical Research Station’s fincas.
There’s also room for expert input: a talk by the University of Costa Rica on the diversity and conservation of beans added an exciting highlight and showed how closely tradition and science can be connected. The event was also supported by institutions such as MINAE, SINAC, and the University of Costa Rica, as well as by numerous exhibitors from across the entire region—from Golfo Dulce to Puerto Jiménez and Golfito, all the way to San José.
But the Seed Fair is more than a specialist event. It is a place to meet, to connect, and to share a love of nature. A day when conversations begin, knowledge is shared, and new connections grow—fully in the spirit of a sustainable future.
The great success of this fair is no coincidence. It is the result of countless hours of preparation—and above all, the extraordinary commitment of the people on the ground. Friends and neighbors from La Gamba carry this event with a warmth and can-do spirit that is deeply moving.
Without them, none of this would be possible. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you. 💚🌿
A journey into the hidden world of bird calls in La Gamba
