Global Ag Tours with Mr. Van De Walle

Global Ag Tours with Mr. Van De Walle International Ag Tours for high school students, offered primarily to students in the Geneva area.

Our last day of tours was more water but with coffee.  The waterfall was a beautiful sight seeing experience with a 500 ...
07/29/2026

Our last day of tours was more water but with coffee.

The waterfall was a beautiful sight seeing experience with a 500 some steps down to the bottom and back up. Those who wanted could wade in the river far from the impact of the falls.

Then we learned about coffee production, the difference between qualities of coffee and the roasts. We could also buy coffee and chocolates after our tour.

The evening ended with our farewell meal at the nicest of our 3 hotels.

We got to see more scenery from the bus today!  We went to the northern boarder for a river boat cruise to see wildlife....
07/28/2026

We got to see more scenery from the bus today! We went to the northern boarder for a river boat cruise to see wildlife. We saw a few monkeys, several different species of birds, and a lizard. It’s the wet season so the land is flooded outside the river banks so animals don’t have to come as close to the river.

This afternoon we learned about pineapple production and got to enjoy some of the best pineapple, right in the field. When pineapple is picked, it won’t get any sweeter. They test them to make sure they are sweet enough to harvest but not too sweet that they’ll rot too soon before they make it to the final customer’s home.

We ended the day with a night walk of a jungle with paths and flashlights. We saw unique frogs and a sloth but no snakes.

Today we traversed to the more north central region of Costa Rica.  We walked the trails of a National Park which is ins...
07/27/2026

Today we traversed to the more north central region of Costa Rica.

We walked the trails of a National Park which is inside a crater of an active volcano. It still releases sulfuric gas and steam, which creates the bubbling mud holes (similar to Yellowstone). The plants around the edge of the crater are much taller than the ones towards the bottom.

We then meandered around a man made / dammed lake to the Don Juan educational farm for lunch. We spotted a sloth balled up in a tree and a parakeet. The afternoon rain prevented some from checking out the farm.

Next was chocolate plantation to learn about the steps between pod and sauce and we got to eat some in every stage and all we wanted as sauce.

This hotel, near La Fortuna, is upscale from the previous one and has a pool and hot tub.

Went about an hour to the west coast to get on a couple of boats to cross the bay to a protected area to snorkel in the ...
07/26/2026

Went about an hour to the west coast to get on a couple of boats to cross the bay to a protected area to snorkel in the ocean. We were able to see several species of fish, a turtle, and sting ray. On the way to the other side we saw several dolphins surfacing. The guide said it’s rare for them to see dolphins.

Then we rinsed at public access shower stalls, had lunch, and had time to shop souvenirs.

Back to Liberia to take in culture. This area celebrates becoming part of Costa Rica on July 25 each year. There was a parade with horses, several bands, and a celebratory. LOTS of people lined the streets and were in the park. Vendors stands and some walking around selling plastic stools, hats, sunglasses, cotton candy, jerseys, shredded mango, meat skewers, and fruit. There were stages set up for bands to perform in the evening.

Then we had more time to rest this afternoon and evening.

We are pretty close to a Walmart and shopping area that we have visited in the evenings. Several American and non American fast food and sit down restaurants. Great for those who aren’t filled with rice and beans.

Today was jam packed at the Bueno Vista eco adventure park and farm.  We bussed about an hour up into the mountains. At ...
07/25/2026

Today was jam packed at the Bueno Vista eco adventure park and farm.

We bussed about an hour up into the mountains. At the same locations we:

- zoomed down 7 ziplines
- sweated in a sauna, smeared on volcanic mud, soaked in the natural hot springs
- ate lunch that included casava, great chicken, pork, and rice pudding
- made impenadas and soap which we received later
- toured the farm in which they teach about sustainable practices
- watched how they use to mill sugar cane & drank some sugar cane water
- watched and learned about pottery making and had the opportunity to purchase pieces

10 hours of activity was quite a bit but we all stuck with it and got the most out of the day.

We landed in Liberia. Met the 2 schools from Kansas and waiting for the one from California.  You can see San Jose on th...
07/23/2026

We landed in Liberia. Met the 2 schools from Kansas and waiting for the one from California.

You can see San Jose on the map, we will fly out from there next week, so we will see a good portion of the country.

We’re all boarded and ready to make our way to Costa Rica. Be sure to like and comment our posts so that you and more pe...
07/23/2026

We’re all boarded and ready to make our way to Costa Rica.

Be sure to like and comment our posts so that you and more people can see what we get to see.

This tour’s chaperone to assist Mr. VanDeWalle is Miss Torrin Boyer, Ag Teacher at Southern Valley.

Our kids will become young adults and enter a competitive world that’s bigger than what they currently know.  What exper...
02/03/2026

Our kids will become young adults and enter a competitive world that’s bigger than what they currently know.

What experience can they have now that will set them apart from others and give them the confidence to step into such a world?

I want our students to have a wide variety and diverse experiences that opens more doors for them.

When students have international experiences…Learning Becomes Real - Not Just MemorizedHistory, geography, art, language...
02/02/2026

When students have international experiences…

Learning Becomes Real
- Not Just Memorized

History, geography, art, language, culture & agricultural stop being abstract when students:

Walk through cities & buildings that existed before the USA became a country.

Stand where historical events actually happened.

Hear another language spoken all around them.

See, taste, and smell what’s uncommon to them but is a way of life for others.

Learn about food production thats similar yet much different than what they’ve experienced.

It flips learning from “I have to know this” to “I want to understand this.”

When students travel, it expands their perspective. Travel breaks the bubble. Students see first hand that our way or th...
02/01/2026

When students travel, it expands their perspective. Travel breaks the bubble. Students see first hand that our way or their way isn’t the only way. People live, think, eat, and believe differently—and that’s okay. This builds empathy, humility, and curiosity in a way textbooks can’t. Students learn and remember experiences far longer than with lectures, assignments, or through a screen.

Address

606 Road 17
Ohiowa, NE
68416

Telephone

+14027592781

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Global Ag Tours with Mr. Van De Walle posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share