# Siloe Garden · Eco Sanctuary · Food & Agriculture

# Siloe Garden · Eco Sanctuary

**Country:** Costa Rica
**Category:** Food & Agriculture
**Stage:** Launched
**Team Size:** 3

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## Elevator Pitch
An organic nursery in La Cangreja (1,600 meters above sea level), run by a female head of household. We grow medicinal, ornamental, and fruit plants without agrochemicals and protect 1 hectare of cloud forest. We combine sustainable production with rural ecotourism.

## Climate Problem
Deforestation of cloud forests in Costa Rica due to a lack of economic value. Without incentives, landowners destroy the forest. Siloe Garden demonstrates that conserving 1 hectare generates more income than clearing the forest.

## Solution
Ecotourism center + organic nursery on 1 hectare of cloud forest in El Guarco, Cartago. Interpretive trails, pesticide-free plants grown in our own handmade potting mix, and home delivery. Conservation becomes a profitable business.

## Revenue Model
Ecotourism tickets (₡2,500 for adults / ₡1,500 for seniors), sale of medicinal and ornamental plants, gazebo rentals, and home delivery in Cartago and the Greater Antioquia Metropolitan Area (GAM). Year 1 goal: ₡7,696,00

## Target Market
Costa Rican families with gardens (income: ₡350,000–₡2.5 million/month) in Cartago and the Greater Antigua Metropolitan Area (GAM). 605,000 residents in the catchment area. Interested in affordable family ecotourism and organic medicinal plants.

## Demand Evidence
Actual sales via Facebook and WhatsApp before the official opening. In-house survey (n=10): 100% interest, 80% have a garden, 9 out of 10 use Facebook to shop. Tourism in Cartago grew by 8% per year (2020–2024).

## Competitors
No direct competitors offering an ecotourism + organic nursery model in El Guarco. Indirect competitors: Jardín Lankester (orchids, ₡3,500, no nursery), Irazú Volcano (₡1,000, no picnic area). Siloe is the only hybrid model.

## Founder Expertise
Certified in Naturopathy, Hotel Management (Penn Foster, USA), TSU Data Center, and INA training in Agricultural Project Development and Rural Entrepreneurship. Active digital channel with actual plant sales.

## External Support
I have received training from INA Costa Rica in the evaluation and development of agricultural projects and rural entrepreneurship, including both theoretical instruction and hands-on fieldwork, during which I visited established ecological models.

## Team
Property developer: administration, nursery, trail guide, and digital sales. Family assistant (son): nursery and weekend deliveries. Temporary staff: cleaning and maintenance of the facility

## Founder
Rosa Haydee Gavidia