Video Library
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Below you’ll find a modest video library of some of our old classics.
Enjoy!
Chair Portraits, by Rachel Jackson
Rachel Jackson, core team member of Rancho Mastatal, former Ranch intern and talented photographer loves to share her pictorial aptitude with Ranch guests during her yearly visits. In this work of art, Rachel set out a wooden chair, set up her tripod, and allowed visitors and locals alike (including our dog Pico) one chance to do whatever they wanted in front of, to the side of, on, or with the chair before taking a shot. This is the beautiful and sometimes hilarious result".
Life at the ranch slideshow
This is a wonderful slideshow made by Brian "Sparky" O'Rourke in 2006 about life at the Ranch.
Slideshow of the greatest place on Earth.
hope for the flowers
This song, written by Alan "Sucia" Smith and others and performed by Alan and Erin "Soupy' Campbell, is a tribute to Trina Paulus' famous book Hope for the Flowers. The song was written in part for Sole and her generation.
The Porchistas song "Hope For the Flowers" written in honor of the book by Trina Paulus. In this video sung by Erin "Soupy" Campbell and Alan "Sucia" Smith. Guitars Smith and Tyler See. Song written by Smith, Campbell, Nate Sanders and Britt Willey.
honey harvest
Honey harvest.
Timo and Logan carrying a recent honey harvest to the extraction site.
Diego Mejias Trailer
This trailer was produced by well-known photographer Diego Mejias.
Short video about Rancho Mastatal Environmental Learning Center Costa Rica
A Man's World
This is a hilarious video showing the combined two century old, all male breakfast crew preparing the first meal of the day for a group of 40. The time-lapse shows in 4 minutes what it took Maris, Dave, Sucia and Timo 2 hours to produce; an incredible, local, delicious, sustainable meal.
Bonito - A Video
This is a short video made by volunteer Benji Zachariah. Enjoy.
Freelance educator and balaga Benji Zachariah shares his experience volunteering at Rancho Mastatal. Rancho Mastatal is an environmental learning center located on the edge of the tropical rainforests of La Cangraja National Park in Costa Rica. Benji spent four weeks there as a volunteer and is sharing his visual story to introduce you to the people he met, the food he enjoyed, and the lifestyle he loved. Pura Vida! Director/Editor: Benji Zachariah Music: Bonito - Jarabe de Palo I do not own the rights to the song used in this video and am using it for educational purposes only.
tour of starboard cork
This tour of the structure named "Starboard Cork" at Rancho Mastatal is given by Alan Smith, one of the designers and builders of this amazing house where he lives for part of the year.
This short documentary is like an alternative "MTV Cribs" episode featuring local musicial Alan "Sucia" Smith showing off his eco-friendly home in the mountains of Central America. See and hear The Porchistas at www.theporchistas.com facebook.com/porchistas
Mastatal's Big Foot
This is an amazing short film by Brian "Sparky" O'Rourke about Mastatal's Big Foot. It was made in an effort to "roast" a departing renewable energy workshop group. Minor profanity.
This is an amazing short film by Brian "Sparky" O'Rourke.
Trailer, Sole's Fable
Filmmaker Brian "Sparky" O'Rourke made this trailer for the upcoming film entitled "Sole's Fable".
This is a trailer from the movie Sole's Fable.
Sustainable restaurant "tuanis"
Soledad and Sofia opening the latest sustainable restaurant' at the Ranch
Soledad & Sofie opening the latest sustainable ristorante' at the ranch
Waddling Fool
This is a song written by Alan Smith, performed by his band The Porchistas, and inspired by Rancho Mastatal.
Montclair, New Jersey - The Porchistas ode to natural building shot with the kids from Montclair Mud Fun. www.theporchistas.com www.montclairmudfun.org
Nellie's Mosaic
A wonderful slideshow featuring Nellie's amazing mosaic.
Canines and Canadians
This is a hilarious short film by Brian "Sparky" O'Rourke. It was made in an effort to "roast" some members of a departing renewable energy workshop group. There is a bit of profane language.
Welcome to Rancho Mastatal
A five-second welcome to Rancho Mastatal.
earth building course 2014
Earth Building Course Video from 2014
Short promo for our 2014 Earth Construction Courses.
Biodigester tour
A little tour of Rancho Mastatal's award winning biodigester set up.
Give a little tour of Rancho Mastatal's award winning biodigester set up.
Informal Wattle and Daub Demo
This is Timo giving an informal wattle and daub demonstration to Rancho Mastatal interns at the Ranch's biodigester structure.
This is Timo giving an informal wattle and daub demonstration to Rancho Mastatal interns at the Ranch's biodigester structure.
Compost toilet harvest - humanure = human manure
In this episode of Dirty Jobs, Rancho Mastatal, the Rancho Crew is journeying beneath the compost toilet to harvest human manure that has been breaking down for one year. Humanure is a regenerative solution.
Humanure= Human Manure In this episode of Dirty Jobs, Rancho Mastatal, the Rancho Crew is journeying beneath the compost toilet to harvest human manure that has been breaking down for one year. Humanure is a regenerative solution for turning human waste into a potent fertilizer that is added to fermented soil like "bokashi".
Birding Club slideshow of rancho mastatal
The Birding Club of Costa Rica's weekend trip to Rancho Mastatal.
The Birding Club of Costa Rica's weekend trip to Rancho Mastatal
Rain
If you've never experienced a tropical rainstorm in the rainforest, this will give you a sense of what it's like. Here's a short walk around the Main House porch on a wet afternoon at the Ranch.
Walking around the front porch on a raining afternoon.
Walk to the Hen House
A quick walk to the hen house.
A quick walk out to the hen house.
Intern Orientation Spoof
This is a comedic orientation video for incoming Rancho Mastatal's interns created by Brian "Sparky" O'Rourke. This is required viewing for all interns. Hilarious.
This is a comedic orientation video for incoming Rancho Mastatal's interns created by Brian "Sparky" O'Rourke. This is required viewing for all interns. Hilarious.
The Plunge
This is one of the most popular swimming holes at Ranch Mastatal and as you'll see also provides an opportunity for those that like to jump from heights. We see Tom and his daughter Alana here taking the plunge.
Tom and his daughter Alana jumping from the swimming hole waterfall.
Dona Maria
One of our closes friends, Doña Maria.
Dona Maria.
Frances' Slideshow
Here's a slideshow of a past intern's work in the gardens.
Zombies Video
This video was shot at Rancho Mastatal to Tyler See's original song "Zombies".
This music video was shot at the Ranch to Tyler See's original tune "Zombies".
Naima from Climbing Poetree
Spoken word from Naima of Climbing Poetree at Rancho Mastatal
Naima from Climbing Poetree performing at Ranch Mastatal's morning meeting.
Poison dart frog
Poison Dart Frog, Rancho Mastatal, Costa Rica
Poison Dart Frog, Rancho Mastatal, Costa Rica
Hankey House Tour
Here's a quick little informal tour of the Hankey House.
Villanova Slideshow 2008
The primary focus of this annual service experience is to expose students to the rainforest and the importance of living in harmony with the environment and the local population. Rancho Mastatal employs hands on experiential learning techniques using the rainforest as the classroom. Students work with Ticos and the nearby Huetar Indians, an indigenous tribe located a few miles from Mastatal, to learn about cultural differences and to find peace in the rural setting and adjacent rainforest.
The primary focus of this service experience will be to expose students to the rainforest and the importance of living in harmony with the indigenous peoples of Costa Rica and our environment. This is an education site that employs hands on experiential learning techniques using the rainforest as the classroom.
Morning Tour, 2006
This is a morning tour of Rancho Mastatal by Hankey House architect and builder Rob Hankey from 2006. The quality's not great but it will give you a bit of an idea about what you'll find here. This was posted onto YouTube in March 2007.
A morning tour of Rancho Mastatal, an environmental education & sustainable living center in Costa Rica.