Wilmer Martínez, Finca La Lima

But I started working the land full-time when I was 12. I hated going to school and decided to quit as soon as my parents let me.

Together, my mother and I own about 3 hectares, all at a very high altitude, between 1,650 and 1,760 meters. I feel very fortunate to have such a high plot of land, because it will be resistant to the ravages of climate change for decades, and even more so because it is situated in the middle of a cool, dense pine forest.

The problem is that we work and live in such a remote place that there's no television, internet, or telephone—no connection whatsoever with the outside world. Sometimes it's difficult; it can take up to a week before I receive a message from Cafesmo or can reply to someone who wants to buy a coffee.

So, to have a connection with the outside world, I sometimes drive to the nearest town, where a friend lends me his Wi-Fi connection.

That said, I really enjoy the peace and quiet where we live, especially when I'm working alone. I like the silence, apart, of course, from hearing the birds chirping or the leaves of a tree rustling gently in the breeze.

Since becoming Cafesmo members, we get a better price for our coffee because the farm is now FTO certified, but it's still just enough to cover our expenses and keep us afloat. We started preparing our own microlots with my mother, and we managed to produce a batch of 7 bags – 85.5% washed – this season. You should try it!