Our farm and factory in Guanacaste have welcomed students from local colleges who want to learn, research, and gain hands-on experience in everything from food science to agroforestry. By opening our doors to the next generation, we’re not only sharing knowledge but also helping to build the future of sustainable agriculture and chocolate-making in Costa Rica, which is something very important for Blue Valley Chocolate.
Partnering with Local Colleges
We’ve built strong relationships with universities and technical colleges across the country. Students join us to complete their thesis projects, professional internships, or required prácticas profesionales, turning their academic studies into real-world applications.
Our cacao farm and factory serve as living laboratories where theories come alive for testing fermentation techniques, improving animal care, or developing sustainable farming systems.
Opportunities for Students
We’ve hosted students from several disciplines, each bringing new ideas and energy to our daily work. Here are some of the ways young professionals engage with Blue Valley Chocolate:
Food Science and Technology
Students researching cacao fermentation, chocolate quality, or product development gain hands-on lab and production experience. They study everything from bean chemistry to shelf life, working alongside our chocolate makers.
Veterinary Medicine
Our farm is also home to horses, which play an important role in daily operations and agroforestry work. Veterinary students gain practical hours by supporting their care—learning about nutrition, health, and the integration of animals into sustainable farming systems.
Agroforestry and Environmental Studies
Students in these fields explore how cacao thrives in a biodiverse rainforest setting. They study soil health, shade management, and ecosystem services, learning how sustainable cacao farming protects biodiversity and supports the rainforest.
Real Stories of Collaboration
We’ve already had students complete their thesis with us, who have developed projects that contribute both to their education and to our mission. From analyzing fermentation methods to studying shade trees in our agroforestry system, each project leaves a lasting impact.
These collaborations are a two-way street: students gain valuable field experience, and we benefit from their fresh perspectives and research insights.
Why It Matters
By working with colleges, we ensure that the next generation of Costa Rican professionals sees cacao not just as a crop, but as a world of opportunities—scientific, cultural, and economic. This work supports:
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Innovation: Students bring new research that helps us improve.
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Sustainability: Agroforestry and veterinary projects strengthen our eco-friendly model.
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Community: Stronger ties between education and local farms keep knowledge rooted in the land.
How to Get Involved
If you’re a student interested in food science, veterinary medicine, environmental studies, or agroforestry, Blue Valley Chocolate is a place to learn, grow, and contribute. Whether you’re looking for thesis support, professional hours, or a practical internship, our farm and factory offer a unique environment where tradition meets innovation.
We welcome new partnerships with universities and look forward to continuing to inspire the next generation of cacao experts.
Teaching future generations is one of the most rewarding parts of our work. By collaborating with local colleges, Blue Valley Chocolate is cultivating knowledge and not just chocolate, nurturing talent, and helping young professionals shape a sustainable future.
Our farm is more than a place of production. It’s a place where ideas are tested, careers are launched, and cacao continues to inspire across generations.