Carlos Roberto Hernández, farm Miraflores and La Mora

My mom’s parents were the first in our family to start growing coffee plants...

At the time, they had to water every plant individually, because there was no shade at all. My own farm I is in the middle of a pine forest. The shade guarantees a slower and more homogeneous ripening process, but I am certain that my grandparents would have thought I’m crazy. Back then, they were convinced that coffee couldn’t grow under a much larger tree.

So, I’m a third-generation coffee farmer and although I am now also the mayor of our – very small – town, I continue to work on the finca when I can. The climate is perfect year round under the cool trees, and working the land helps me to calm my mind, straighten my thoughts, or simply dream away while I pick berries or clean the finca.

I’m one of the founders of Cafesmo and am also currently the president of the member committee. It means that I spend much of my time organizing Cafesmo and seeking ways to help it grow. Sometimes, I receive foreign visitors who want to work with us, or a team from the Fair Trade or Organic organizations, who come to audit and inspect our organization and random member farms.

It’s a multifaceted position and I’m very glad to be such an active part of Cafesmo. If it weren’t for Cafesmo, none of us would be able to get certifications, or to work directly with importers and roasters from faraway lands.

Farm facts

13 hectares – FTO certified - between 1330 and 1410 meters. In the middle of a pine forest but there are other trees as well, like cypress, guamo, and liquidambar.

I cultivate different varieties, each confined to a part of the land: Caturra, Parainema, Obata, IHCafé 90, Pacas.

This farm is Rain Forest Alliance certified.