Neftaly Melara Santos, Farms: La casa – El Balunal – La Peña – Las Cruces

We are a very close-knit family.

Two of our sons live in the United States, but our other two children live at home with my wife and I, and a granddaughter as well, so there are five of us at home.

My son Geremías is the one who helps me the most on the farm. We work hand in hand every day. Although I am a first generation farmer, I have been in the coffee business for 30 years, so now the work for me is routine and without surprises.

I love what I do and so does Geremías. We work in the middle of nature and the climate at 1,700 meters is almost always pleasant. It is rarely hot, rarely cold. We also have a lot of freedom and what I also like is the rhythm of the different seasons.

During harvest time, my wife and daughter help us. There is a lot of pressure then, working seven days a week and not counting the hours. But once the coffee is sold, the rhythm gets a little slower and we can - at least once in a while – enjoy some rest.

On the farm we also have many fruit trees. There are citrus trees, such as orange, lime and lemon. We also grow some plum, peach, guava and papaya.  All these fruits are for our own consumption and to share with other family and friends in our village. And those trees provide the shade that we need, even at 1,700 meters ,for the coffee plants.

For the past few years, we have also been growing avocados. Those we sell at the local market to earn some additional income. I have four plots of land but I am not a big landowner at all. On the contrary, the four plots together measure 2.5 hectares, so we need any additional income we can find, to meet our family's basic needs.

I would like to improve my house and have a better car, but the prices in the coffee market do not allow for that. However, I am happy with what I have and above all with what I do in my life. What I like most is sharing with my family, I never feel alone. It's a shame that two of my children are in the United States but nowadays it's so easy to make video calls so at least we 'see' each other once or twice a week. Yes, I feel blessed and happy.

Farm facts:

4 parcels between 1,650 and 1,800 meters above sea level. Total area 2.5 hectares

Varieties: Ih-Café 90, Pacas and Lempira.

Certifications: Fair Trade - Organic - RFA