DOS PINOS

A gentleman I met a number of years ago has had a significant effect on Costa Rica. He was the brother-in-law of a person I worked with in my job. This guy came from a farming background and achieved an agriculture degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In the Sixties he went to Costa Rica as a member of the Peace Corps. He got some Costa Ricans interested in dairy farming. Next they needed a way to market their product so he helped them form a cooperative known as Dos Pinos (Two Pines). It has developed into the major distributor of dairy products, not only in Costa Rica, but in all of Central America. They now market fruit juice products as well as their dairy offerings.

In his spare time, this Wisconsinite spent time on the beaches near Quepos on the Pacific shore of Costa Rica. He convinced officials that the area should be protected from development and helped them form the first Costa Rican National Park .... Manuel Antonio! A photo of the part of the beach at Manuel Antonio is included in this post.

I haven't seen this gentleman in a few years, but the last time he and his wife were at our house they indicated that they planned to buy a house in a small town about 30 miles outside of San Jose and retire there. Vacationing in Wisconsin during June, July & August was also in their plans. Sounds like a good plan to me. I hope they've followed their dream!

One man, willing to work hard and give of himself, can make a big difference in the lives of people ..... and even of a country!

www.dospinos.com

www.manuelantoniopark.com