The World Food Prize Foundation

Costa Rica | EARTH University

EARTH University

EARTH University in Guácimo, Costa Rica has hosted Borlaug-Ruan International Interns since 2012.

Established in 1986, EARTH University prepares and empowers young leaders to ethically and sustainably transform food systems, protect and improve the quality of life of food producers, and regenerate our planet. Their programs offer students the opportunity to learn about agricultural sciences, food systems, ethical entrepreneurship, and social and environmental challenges through experiential, student-centered learning and living with peers from around the world. EARTH has extensive experience searching for innovative solutions to challenges in sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and natural resource management

Interns at EARTH University work alongside renowned international researchers and experts in the fields and villages near Limón and La Florita.

The students also have the opportunity to travel around Costa Rica with their new friends and colleagues to see areas like the Talamanca region in the South Caribbean. 

Student Research Projects

Soil or Substrate? Investigating Growth Differences of Lettuce Under Two Growing Conditions (2025)

Empowering Small-Scale Farmers in Costa Rica through Organics: The Effects of Bacillus subtilis on Lettuce (Lechuga sativa) Growth (2024)

Effects of Various Agroforestry Systems and Fertilization Methods on Canopy Temperature and Soil Health in Coffea arabica var. L4A5 in the Costa Rican Lowlands (2023)

EARTH University, Genetics, Bioinformatics and Forensic Science (2022)

Evaluating Chemical Sigatoka Disease Prevention in Organic Plantains (2019)

Comparison of Cucumber Cultivar Growth in Different Substrates and Environments in the Humid Tropics (2019)

EARTH’s University’s Educational Model (2018)

The evaluation of agricultural impacts upon the water quality in a university campus stream in Costa Rica (2018)

The Developmental Influence of Piglet Nutrition within a Tropical Climate (2017)

Evaluation of Banana and Cocoa Waste Management Techniques in The Humid Tropics (2017)

Evolution of Cattle Breed Crosses for Dairy Production in Costa Rica (2015)

Dairy Cattle Welfare in the Tropics (2014)

Assessment of The Global Master’s Program in Health and Sustainable Development (2013)

Evaluating Biodigestor Technology’s Impact on Rural Women and Sustainability in La Florita (2012)

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