Miguel Ángel Rivas

Although he only acquired his first plot in 2014, Don Miguel knows what coffee is.

In fact, he has been working for other producers for over two decades. It just took him a long time and many difficulties before he was able to buy his own plot of land.

He loves working his land. The hardships, the downpours during the rainy season, the volatility of coffee prices, the fifteen-hour workdays during the harvest. He likes it all. Why? "Because I'm free, nobody can tell me what to do, when to do it, or how," Don Miguel replies when asked that question, and then he looks at his coffee plants with quiet pride and determination.

Don Miguel comes from a large family. He has nine siblings, and he and his wife have raised five children. Three of his children live in the United States. They sent him money to buy more land and also help out when coffee prices are too low to keep things afloat. The two children who remain in Honduras help on the farm: clearing brush, cleaning, pruning the plants, and, of course, harvesting the coffee beans during the harvest season. All of this is done under Don Miguel's kind but firm guidance, as he has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience over his more than two decades in the fields.

Despite the family's efforts, they haven't yet had the opportunity to dry and process their own microlots. Currently, they sell their coffee to Cafesmo as cherries, and the Cafesmo team handles the drying and processing for them. The next step is to purchase their own solar dryer, separate the best beans, and begin processing their own microlots.

Don Miguel already knows how to do it. He works alongside Hidardo Hernández, the young founder of Cafesmo, who prepares many microlots using different processes. Sometimes, Hidardo buys some of Don Miguel's beans and teaches him how to slowly dry and process them to obtain a high-quality batch. Don Miguel is determined to keep some of those best beans as soon as he can build his own solar dryer.

Furthermore, Cafesmo has potential buyers, as the microlots produced are being purchased by roasters who appreciate their profiles, fruity flavors, and batch consistency. At Cafesmo, we are confident that they will achieve their goals. Their farms are in top condition, their determination is unwavering, and they have already proven that their microlots are popular with roasters seeking high-quality coffee abroad.