The Need
During the 1980s, Central America’s political and economic turmoil reached a breaking point. Significant population growth, coupled with unsustainable agricultural practices, placed an overwhelming strain on natural resources throughout the tropics, fueling economic hardship, inequality and social challenges. Opportunities for young people were scarce, particularly for those living in rural areas. New generations simply followed their family’s traditional paths, farming increasingly barren land with obsolete practices.

The Response
In 1985, as a compassionate response to Central America’s crisis, a group of Costa Rican leaders partnered with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Costa Rican Government to establish an international agricultural university with funds donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These founders envisioned EARTH to be a unique institution, teaching sustainable development practices with equal emphasis on entrepreneurial skills, commitment to the community and responsibility to the environment.

The Purpose
EARTH focused on empowering emerging leaders throughout the region by providing them access to a quality education, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and strong values to improve the quality of life in their communities. Person by person, community by community, the University’s founders worked together to build a brighter future for residents of the tropics. They planted the seed that is now bearing fruit.

The Results
Each day at EARTH, tomorrow’s leaders are cultivated. EARTH’s 1,272 graduates represent a new generation of dedicated entrepreneurs, political leaders and educators with the training to address issues that have challenged Latin America and the world for decades.

“…wherever there is an EARTH graduate, no matter where, there will be hope, hope for peace.” – Costa Rica President, Oscar Arias Sánchez