Origin Field Lab: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the cost of the Origin Field Lab: Nicaragua (OFLN), and what is included in that cost?
The OFLN costs $1,600* per person and includes all lodging, meals, lab materials, and transportation for six nights and five days in Nicaragua. The $1,600 bill does NOT include individual airfare to Managua, Nicaragua, nor does it include souvenirs, communication (international phone calls), or alcoholic beverages that the individual might choose to purchase.
The OFLN costs $1,600* per person and includes all lodging, meals, lab materials, and transportation for six nights and five days in Nicaragua. The $1,600 bill does NOT include individual airfare to Managua, Nicaragua, nor does it include souvenirs, communication (international phone calls), or alcoholic beverages that the individual might choose to purchase.
*Discounts are available for Counter Culture Coffee wholesale customers. Please contact your Customer Relations Representative for more information about our discount policy.
2. What are the dates for the lab?
The lab itself begins in Managua, Nicaragua. on the morning of Monday, January 28 and ends in the evening on Friday, February 1. Participants should plan to arrive to Managua no later than Sunday, January 27, and will be free to depart from Managua on or after Saturday, February 2.
The lab itself begins in Managua, Nicaragua. on the morning of Monday, January 28 and ends in the evening on Friday, February 1. Participants should plan to arrive to Managua no later than Sunday, January 27, and will be free to depart from Managua on or after Saturday, February 2.
3. How do I apply for the 2013 lab?
THE 2013 LAB IS FULL: We are no longer accepting applications
THE 2013 LAB IS FULL: We are no longer accepting applications
4. Why Nicaragua? More specifically, why Madríz, Nicaragua?
In addition to its proximity to the United States and the ease of travel in Nicaragua, the Madríz region is the home of the extraordinary Cinco de Junio farmer cooperative, with which Counter Culture has partnered for the past three years.
In addition to its proximity to the United States and the ease of travel in Nicaragua, the Madríz region is the home of the extraordinary Cinco de Junio farmer cooperative, with which Counter Culture has partnered for the past three years.
5. What is the trip itinerary?
We will spend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on farms around Cusmapa and Las Sabanas, where the Cinco de Junio cooperative's members grow the coffee that we purchase. Through a combination of class work and field work, each day we will learn about and see a different aspect of coffee from botany and processing methods to payments to farmers and Nicaragua's political history. Thursday we will visit a dry mill and export facility in Ocotal and Friday we will tour the well-known Selva Negra coffee farm for a different perspective on ecological farming before heading back to Managua.
We will spend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on farms around Cusmapa and Las Sabanas, where the Cinco de Junio cooperative's members grow the coffee that we purchase. Through a combination of class work and field work, each day we will learn about and see a different aspect of coffee from botany and processing methods to payments to farmers and Nicaragua's political history. Thursday we will visit a dry mill and export facility in Ocotal and Friday we will tour the well-known Selva Negra coffee farm for a different perspective on ecological farming before heading back to Managua.
6. What can I expect from this lab, and what, in turn, does Counter Culture expect from me?
We designed the Origin Field Lab as an advanced course for people who have either worked in, or been enthusiastic students of, coffee for at least a couple of years. As a participant, you may expect: a thoughtfully-designed curriculum, lab instructors with experience and knowledge of coffee as well as local history and culture, a dedicated group of fellow students and perspective on coffee that only comes through hands-on learning.
From our attendees, Counter Culture expects: passion for coffee, an eagerness to learn with and from your peers, patience and flexibility for the hang-ups of international travel, and open-mindedness about coffee, people, and cultures other than your own.
We designed the Origin Field Lab as an advanced course for people who have either worked in, or been enthusiastic students of, coffee for at least a couple of years. As a participant, you may expect: a thoughtfully-designed curriculum, lab instructors with experience and knowledge of coffee as well as local history and culture, a dedicated group of fellow students and perspective on coffee that only comes through hands-on learning.
From our attendees, Counter Culture expects: passion for coffee, an eagerness to learn with and from your peers, patience and flexibility for the hang-ups of international travel, and open-mindedness about coffee, people, and cultures other than your own.
7. Are there any prerequisites to attending the Origin Field Lab?
We expect participants in this in-depth course to have a base level of coffee knowledge and cupping experience. We require participants to have taken the Coffee Origins Lab and recommend attending either the Comparative Cupping Lab or Cupping Leader's Lab prior to the OFLN, if you have not done so already. Applicants who demonstrate recent Counter Culture-lab attendance will receive preference over those without Counter Culture-lab experience and those with ancient Counter Culture-lab experience.
We expect participants in this in-depth course to have a base level of coffee knowledge and cupping experience. We require participants to have taken the Coffee Origins Lab and recommend attending either the Comparative Cupping Lab or Cupping Leader's Lab prior to the OFLN, if you have not done so already. Applicants who demonstrate recent Counter Culture-lab attendance will receive preference over those without Counter Culture-lab experience and those with ancient Counter Culture-lab experience.
8. What will our accommodations be like?
Cinco de Junio has a long-standing and deep relationship with the Fabretto Children's Foundation, a non-profit organization that works on improving education and access to education in the communities where the co-op's members live, and Fabretto has generously offered their guesthouse for to our group. The practical guesthouse hosts Fabretto's volunteer service groups on a regular basis and the accommodations are simple but comfortable: bunk beds and DIY dishes on one hand, and electricity and warm showers on the other. In our "in-town" nights in Jinotega and Managua, we will stay in clean, comfortable, and convenient hotels.
Cinco de Junio has a long-standing and deep relationship with the Fabretto Children's Foundation, a non-profit organization that works on improving education and access to education in the communities where the co-op's members live, and Fabretto has generously offered their guesthouse for to our group. The practical guesthouse hosts Fabretto's volunteer service groups on a regular basis and the accommodations are simple but comfortable: bunk beds and DIY dishes on one hand, and electricity and warm showers on the other. In our "in-town" nights in Jinotega and Managua, we will stay in clean, comfortable, and convenient hotels.
9. If I have never traveled outside the United States, will that be a problem?
Aside from the obvious documents you will need (like a passport), it should not be a problem at all. We strive to help everyone, regardless of travel experience, feel comfortable.
Aside from the obvious documents you will need (like a passport), it should not be a problem at all. We strive to help everyone, regardless of travel experience, feel comfortable.
10. Is the Origin Field Lab physically demanding?
Participants should be prepared to spend at least one hour per day walking on hilly, uneven trails. You need not be a star athlete – we have accommodated a pregnant woman and a few folks in their sixties – but comfort on your feet is crucial to the lab.
Participants should be prepared to spend at least one hour per day walking on hilly, uneven trails. You need not be a star athlete – we have accommodated a pregnant woman and a few folks in their sixties – but comfort on your feet is crucial to the lab.
11. If I have a scheduling conflict, can I join the lab late/leave early?
The dates for the OFLN 2011 are firm, and we cannot accept late arrivals or early departures.
The dates for the OFLN 2011 are firm, and we cannot accept late arrivals or early departures.
12. Will I have free time to go sightseeing on my own?
We have a full schedule during our five-day intensive course and we expect all participants to attend all of the OFLN's classes and activities. We have planned for a couple of hours of free time each evening, which is enough time for participants to hike, read, and relax, but not enough time for off-site activities.
We have a full schedule during our five-day intensive course and we expect all participants to attend all of the OFLN's classes and activities. We have planned for a couple of hours of free time each evening, which is enough time for participants to hike, read, and relax, but not enough time for off-site activities.
13. When will I know if my application has been accepted?
We will consider applications on a rolling basis until we fill all available slots, or until December 1, 2012, whichever comes first. We will let you know within a month of your submission whether your application has been accepted.
We will consider applications on a rolling basis until we fill all available slots, or until December 1, 2012, whichever comes first. We will let you know within a month of your submission whether your application has been accepted.
14. When is the next Origin Field Lab, and will it always be held in Nicaragua?
We hope, at some point in the near future, to expand the OFL beyond Nicaragua and to offer more than one opportunity per year. As of now, however, the next Origin Field Lab is scheduled for January of 2014 and it will also take place in Nicaragua.
We hope, at some point in the near future, to expand the OFL beyond Nicaragua and to offer more than one opportunity per year. As of now, however, the next Origin Field Lab is scheduled for January of 2014 and it will also take place in Nicaragua.
