Marco Tulio Vargas, El Tontolar Farm

It's unusual, as I'm the only one around me who didn't start farming either as a child with my parents or as a young adult when I moved out on my own. Anyway, I bought my plot of land in 1985, but first I kept some livestock, and then I grew different kinds of fruits and vegetables for many years.

It wasn't until 2005 that I decided to switch to coffee, since my seven children cultivate it and at that time it generated a more stable income than mine. Besides, frankly, coffee captured my imagination more than carrots or tomatoes.

Little by little, I expanded my land and also learned to cultivate coffee better over the years. Later, I learned that some farmers in our region were preparing microlots, and I decided to gradually shift my harvest to that as well. It's more labor-intensive, and the yield is slightly lower, but the profits are better, and I also feel much more proud of the result of my work. Now I know that the people who drink my coffee are truly satisfied, and sometimes even impressed.

Now, coffee means more economic stability for me and my family, my children. I currently own 13 hectares, and my children—together—own around 26.