Sustainability Practices

Our Sustainability Practices

At Finca Sagrada, ecological mindfulness guides every aspect of our operations. Here’s how we walk our talk:

Water Systems

  • Greywater Recycling: Kitchen and shower water nourishes non-food plants
  • Well water: There is a dedicated well fed from mountain streams and rivers for clean drinking and cooking water
  • Stream Conservation: Our protected creek provides habitat for native species

Waste Management

  • Composting Toilets: Human waste becomes valuable compost through a managed aerobic process
  • Kitchen Compost: Food scraps feed our gardens through traditional composting and vermiculture
  • Recycle & Reuse: We reuse non-recyclable items to avoid waste
  • Minimal Packaging: We purchase in bulk and avoid single-use items

Energy Use

  • Solar Power: Our photovoltaic system provides electricity for the community
  • Passive Design: Buildings are positioned to maximize natural lighting and minimize heat gain
  • Energy Conservation: We use LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances
  • No Air Conditioning: Natural ventilation and thoughtful design keep spaces comfortable

Food Systems

  • Food Forests: Perennial polycultures provide fruit, nuts, and herbs with minimal intervention
  • Organic Gardens: We grow vegetables without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers
  • Seed Saving: We preserve heirloom varieties adapted to our microclimate
  • Local Sourcing: What we don’t grow, we source from nearby farms when possible

Building Practices

  • Natural Materials: Our structures use adobe, cob, local wood, and other sustainable materials
  • Minimal Footprint: Buildings are designed to have minimal environmental impact
  • Repurposed Materials: We incorporate reclaimed and upcycled elements wherever possible
  • Living Buildings: Our structures evolve and integrate with the surrounding ecosystem

Staying at Finca Sagrada offers a hands-on opportunity to experience these practices in action and perhaps bring some ideas back to your own life. We’re always happy to explain our systems and share what we’ve learned along the way.