Finca La Bella was initiated in the early 1990s through the joint efforts of a local Quaker group, a U.S. non-profit organization, a cooperative in the nearby town of Santa Elena (CoopeSantaElena), and concerned citizens in San Luis. The Quakers, who settled in the Monteverde area in the mid-20th century, were especially instrumental in creating the Finca La Bella farming community.
The community of San Luis had been struggling with issues of land tenure for years when Finca La Bella began. Huge tracts of land were held by just a few people, and the village was suffering economically, socially, and environmentally as a result. One Quaker woman, Ann Kriebel, threw herself into the movement, and worked closely with the San Luis community for improvement. She died an untimely death before the Finca La Bella project was formed, and in gratitude for her work, the farm now bears the official name “Asosación Finca La Bella Ann Kriebel”.
The U.S. non-profit group provided initial funds to purchase Finca La Bella from its previous owner, who had used the land for conventional coffee production and pasture. The title to the land was originally held by CoopeSantaElena, and was transferred in 1999 to a local higher education center called the Monteverde Institute, which still holds the title. From the beginning, parcels of land in the Finca La Bella community were offered to landless residents of San Luis. Those interested were accepted by a committee and signed a legal contract entitling them to manage the plots for 25 years. These leases are renewable and can pass from generation to generation by renewing the 25-year lease, although the land may never be sold. Should a family choose to leave Finca La Bella, they would be paid for any improvements (house, barn, greenhouse, etc.) and the land would become available to another qualified applicant, also selected by the committee.
Finca La Bella has many guidelines, mainly to protect the environment and keep the community functioning smoothly. A 20-page legal document outlines the organization's mission of sustainable use. It underscores the responsibility of all humans to protect the environment, for quality of life now and to preserve a resource base for future generations. Common resources listed within the document include biodiversity, the forest, potable water and streams, and the soil. Those living within the community may build a house, shed, or workshop; raise small animals; and cultivate land, with the condition that they adhere to the guidelines regarding sustainable use. With the agreement of the association, which includes four community members and representatives from the other founding groups, families can develop roads, potable water systems, electrical systems, and tourism.
