Description

Colombia Coffee History

Colombia is the third largest coffee producer behind Brazil and Vietnam, and produces the largest amount of Arabica beans in the world. Average annual production is over 11.5 million bags. Early records show that coffee had reached Colombia by the late 1700’s. By the second half of the 19th century, it was being exported to the United States and Europe. When international coffee prices dropped, many large farms were forced to stop production, and coffee production in Colombia stalled. As a result, many smaller farms were able to introduce coffee plants and small growers became the dominant force behind the country’s coffee production.

About the Farm

The municipality of Inzá is nestled in the middle of the great Colombian Massif. A mountainous region where most of the mayor
rivers of the country are born, including the Magdalena, the Cauca and the Patia river. Inza is surrounded by volcanoes, plus the
altitude and climate of this region make it perfect for growing specialty coffee. Very small producers tend to their land and hold
on to their traditions. Many of them have produced coffee with little or no chemicals for generations. The Pillimue Family, crucial
members of the community, led a program to certify 80 producers in organic practices. This small group of producers have
become leaders in innovative organic practices, leading workshops in the community in order to re-use a lot of the waste created
by the farm and to make bio fertilizers that are cheap and useful.