Yony Santos, Finca La Casita

I’m Yony, a young and very enthusiastic coffee farmer. In 2019 I started working on my own land, which is around 1,5 hectares, but I am a third-generation farmer, so I have had experience in coffee farming since I was little. In 2020, I decided to renovate my farm, replacing all the old plants with new ones, more resistant against rust leaf and plantes in such a way that I can increase the yield.

I also work at Cafesmo, where I am the plant manager. So, I prepare heaps of coffee. Large lots that we ship per container and often dry mechanically, but also high end, smaller lots. When farmers bring their coffee, I separate the best batches to prepare them as specialty lots for our cooperative.

It’s through my job at Cafesmo that I became so keenly interested in renovating my farm and getting the best quality coffee out of all the trees I grow. When I just started, my more experienced co-workers taught me better techniques and practices, that I now use in my own farm but that I also share with my extended family and of course all the other Cafesmo farmer members as well.

There are trees in the farm as well. Quite some pine trees as those are part of our local habitat and they provide generous shade as well as nutrients.  But also fruit trees like mango and plum. My wife and our dogs often come to the land with me. It’s so peaceful there, especially on Sundays when the pace is more leisurely, and we have fewer obligations.

At the limit of our farm there is a little stream where the dogs like to swim or drink from, and that also provides water for our plants during the dry season.  We sometimes go to the farm just to relax because working there isn’t stressful, at least not outside the peak harvest season. My parents help when I am too busy with my Cafesmo job, thankfully. Without them, I don’t think that my wife and I would be able to do all the work, at least not in the way the farm deserves to be treated.

Although coffee is the biggest part of my life and I love it, I almost became a professional soccer player. I played at a high level in our regional club and was almost selected for a national team. Anyway, I still often play at night after work or on Sundays. It keeps me young and strong and, maybe even more important, it’s where I meet and share with my friends.

My hope is to be able to prepare microlots for international roasters, starting in the 2025/26 season. You’ll hear more from me in the near future, I am sure of that!

Farm Facts

1,5 hectares at 1230 to 1250 meters high

Varietals Parainema and Arara

Certified organic, fair trade, RFA, Bird Friendly

Shadow from pine trees and fruit trees (mango, plum…)