Daniel de Jesús, Fincas El Desvío and Amaya Romero

I’ve been a coffee farmer for seven years now and I’m part of the third generation of growers in my family.

My brother and I work together, we share a lot of the workload, and my whole family actually grows coffee. Coffee is what keeps us going. A first cup of it right when we get up, to reenergize us after a night that was often too short, and of course selling coffee as a crop, to have a source of income. In fact, I’m able to build my house with the proceeds from my finca. 

It’s hard work, but, you know, it’s also really relaxing in its own way. Physically I am often tired at the end of the day, but my head is clear and peaceful after a day spent on the land. I don’t feel a lot of stress of angst, except sometimes during the harvest season. But that is all too logical; there is such a frantic busyness during those three months, and so many things must be finished each single day. 

The other nine months, I can work at a somewhat more leisurely pace and the stress fades away. What most worries me during those months, is the possibility of leaf rust, for this disease can have such a devastating effect on the health of my plantation, and therefore also the health of my bank account. It’s precarious enough to begin with, given the low prices for coffee, and we can ill afford any additional adversities.

I’m pleased to be a member of Cafesmo, as the organization offers me a platform to offer my coffees, and through it I am able to propose micro-lots. I would never be able to do that on my own; I’d lack the resources and skills. The same goes for the Fair Trade and Organic labels, which a small, individual farmer can never afford, but which I can now proudly say I am a member of, thanks to Cafesmo.

My dream? Grow the farm big enough for it to become a stable livelihood for my daughter in the future, and after that, for her own children. 

Farm Facts

My two plots combined are three hectares, located at 1,250 to 1,300 meters.

I mainly grow Lempira and Parainema. To a lesser degree, some Pacas and Catimore.

There’s a lot of natural pine tree for shadow on my land, but also banana trees, and some local varieties.

Our farm is Certified Fair Trade, and Organic.

This farm is Rain Forest Alliance certified.