María Luisa Santamaría and Her Little Paradise: Finca Santa María
And although coffee is a fundamental part of my life, it isn't the only thing that defines me.
I remember as if it were yesterday the days when, as a little girl, I would accompany my father among the coffee plants. With patience and love, he taught me the secrets of the land: how to prune, how to care for each plant, and how to recognize the exact moment when the coffee was ready to be harvested.
Today, years later, I follow those same steps on my Finca Santa María, a small paradise of 2 hectares at 1,340 meters above sea level, where the aroma of coffee blends with that of the fruit trees that populate the land: orange, mango, lemon, and banana trees, which not only provide shade for my crops but also feed my family.
For me, coffee is not just a job—it is a legacy. I cultivate Lempira and Obatá, varieties I have learned to love and master over time. My farm, though small, is a space of tranquility and pride. Here, among the plants and the songs of birds, I find peace. And although I work alone for most of the year, during the harvest season, I rely on the help of two workers who assist me with the most demanding tasks: harvesting, maintenance, and cleaning. But even on the hardest days, I wouldn’t trade this place for anything.
Coffee has given me much more than an income. It has taught me discipline, allowed me to save, and, above all, given me the satisfaction of knowing that what I grow ends up in the cups of people who enjoy it. Additionally, I have a small business at home where I sell clothes, shoes, and cosmetics, ensuring a steady stream of income. But coffee is my reserve, my security. When sales from my shop slow down, I know I can count on what the land provides.
But if there is one thing that truly fills my heart, it is sharing this space with my family. My children are grown now, but it is my grandchildren who occasionally accompany me to the farm.
I love seeing their faces light up with wonder as they discover how coffee grows or taste a fruit freshly picked from a tree. These are the moments that make all the hard work worthwhile.
And although coffee is a fundamental part of my life, it does not define me entirely. I am passionate about cooking for my loved ones, gathering them on Sundays or in the evenings after a long day of work. Those moments, surrounded by those I love most, remind me that life, like coffee, is best when shared.
My farm is my legacy, my hobby, and my blessing. And as the sun sets over the mountains, I light my way home, knowing that every bean I have cultivated carries not only my effort but also the love of generations.
Farm Details
2 hectares at 1,340 meters above sea level, with many fruit trees for shade.
Fair Trade and Organic certified.
Main varieties: Lempira and Obatá.
