Wil Paz, Fincas El Jagua and El Panal

Over the years, I've purchased 200 hectares of pristine forest to ensure that local wildlife and birds can continue to thrive. Deer and coyotes roam freely there, and the forest provides crystal-clear water to four small communities living beneath it.

In 2000, I also started a small primary school in my old warehouse and paid a teacher to offer children in these same communities an educational opportunity. After a few years, the state decided to support me. Together, we built a proper school building, and the state now pays the teacher.

Some of the students from those early years now work the land with me to grow coffee. I started growing coffee forty years ago with my parents, and I've been doing it independently for about twenty years. In 2012, we were hit hard by coffee rust. My entire farm was devastated; it simply disappeared—all 45 hectares.

The situation was so dire that when I asked the bank for a $40,000 loan against the 200 hectares of forest, they refused. So I ended up selling almost all my possessions to start over. Little by little, I began planting new rows of trees and selected more resilient, stronger varieties.

Now, at last, I can say I'm back on my feet. The 45 hectares are full of healthy plants and precious beans, and I haven't used a single gram of chemicals since restarting in 2013. That's why I've decided to start brewing specialty coffees during the 2020/21 harvest season.

Now I feel confident enough. I know I have the right varieties and consistent quality, and I've also had the active support of Cafesmo for several years now.

They've provided preparation and process workshops, and I'm convinced this is the right time for me to take this next step. At my age, I have a wealth of experience, and the younger people working with me can handle the more demanding aspects of the job.

I'm really looking forward to working with you!