Economy
Longo Mai is home to several projects and businesses that create jobs and income for residents. Casa Madremonte is one of the largest in Longo Mai. It is an organization founded by artist and musician Guadalupe Urbina that comprises different initiatives within the community including The Amazonas, an all-women’s group that grows edible plants and sells them within the community and at local markets. The Amazonas practice organic permaculture, a practice focused on using energy from the earth and using natural materials instead of chemicals.
Casa Madremonte runs several other projects including an edible garden to research the growth of nutritious foods and tropical agriculture, the Madremonte festival, and the Orchestra of the Tropical Forest. The Madremonte festival is an Earth festival held in Longo Mai every year, and the Orchestra of the Tropical Forest is a local group that plays instruments made from recycled materials that are designed to mimic the sounds of the natural forests around them. Cosmética Madremonte is a cosmetics business under the umbrella of Casa Madremonte. They specialize in making products such as soaps and shampoos out of natural and organic ingredients and materials.
Guadalupe Urbine, the owner and creator of Casa and Cosmética Madremonte.
An inside look at a soap drying cellar at Casa Madremonte. Guadalupe Urbine, her son, and others employed there harvest plants and herbs from their garden to create soaps, scrubs, and lip balms.
Cosmética Madremonte is also active in research, and hosts investigational greenhouses meant for developing medicinal, cosmetic, and food plants that thrive in the tropical environment. You can read more about this here. Longo Mai farmers raise and harvest crops such as sugar cane and coffee and the village has facilities for processing both that guests can visit. Coffee varieties vary depending on the seasons, and visitors can learn about growing and harvesting it. New challenges to agriculture include changes to child labor laws, which has become an issue due to the fact that children have coffee and sugar cane harvesting time off from school, but are not legally allowed to participate in the harvest. Visitors can also buy some to take home. In recent years, tourism has played a major role in the economic development of Longo Mai. Longo Mai attracts many different types of tourists including thru travelers, authentic experience groups, volunteers, and groups from various academic institutions.
around the world, and they can experience what it is like to live in this community through home-stays with residents. Many come here to do independent projects of their choice to improve the quality of life in the community. They can come with project ideas or decide once they arrive in the community. In recent years, group tourism from North America has significantly grown. Longo Mai welcomes educational groups from various types of institutions, working with faculty and staff to provide a rich, authentic learning experience. In 2018, Longo Mai had 350 visitors, and annual visitor numbers continue to rise.
Longo Mai attracts many different types of tourists including thru travelers, authentic experience groups, volunteers, and groups from various academic institutions. Tourists can stay for a few hours, a few days or a longer period of time. Longo Mai welcomes tourists of all backgrounds from around the world, and they can experience what it is like to live in this community through home-stays with residents. Many come here to do independent projects of their choice to improve the quality of life in the community. They can come with project ideas or decide once they arrive in the community. In recent years, group tourism from North America has significantly grown. Longo Mai welcomes educational groups from various types of institutions, working with faculty and staff to provide a rich, authentic learning experience. In 2018, Longo Mai had 350 visitors, and annual visitor numbers continue to rise.
A bowl of local coffee beans grown and processed in the village of Longo Mai.