Agroforestry and Circular Economy

We go beyond Fair Trade and Organic labels though, because we want to, and because we know it is also in our own long term interest. Each year, we’re increasing our focus on regenerative agriculture. 

In 2019 and 2020, we’ve planted 15,000 seedlings to increase shadow, retain water, attract bird life, fight erosion, and reduce our carbon footprint substantially. At the end of 2023, we had planted 45,000!

We’re also diversifying to depend less on one crop: part of the trees are citrus fruits and avocado, for our own consumption and to sell in the national market. The Neumann foundation has been very helpful in their support of our efforts to convert to agroforestry and in 2024 we have started a ‘plant a tree’ program with our Danish roaster partner Clever Coffee. 

A year before that, we have signed an agreement with Solidaridad and Acorn in the Netherlands to participate in a CO2 compensation program. Around 60 of our farmer members were eligible and they will receive a small financial compensation for the trees they have planted on their farms during twenty years.

We also organize workshops for our members, to implement good practices in each finca: soil conversation, water management, fighting erosion with local plants. But also to teach new techniques, plant distancing, and organic pest control. 

Several of our members have started to keep bees, to improve pollination in their farms, but also to let the hives to other producers, and, of course, to produce delicious, 100% natural honey for their own consumption and to generate additional income.

And each year, more of our producers start using the pulp of their beans as a natural plant fertilizer. It’s free, healthy, effective, and doesn’t cause any pollution. We also sell some of the pulp for teas and infusions.