Want to support women in coffee? The Asociación Ecoterra SAS, have established a specific program of women producers organized throughout Colombia to increase the international market for their coffee.  Organizing as a group was a critical first step because these women are individually cultivating coffee on small farms of just a few acres.   The women have leaders from each community to establish a larger network of support.  The model of collaboration produces traceable community blends with vibrant regional profile.

Processing Details:

This particular lot was produced by 20 women in the municipalities of Pitalito, Oporapa, Saladoblanco, in the department of Huila. During the harvest, each producer follows a strict protocol which includes picking cherries at optimum ripeness, hand sorting, floating to remove damaged and undeveloped beans, depulping and fermenting for prolonged periods of up to 60 hours.  After fermentation, the parchment covered seed is washed and placed on patios or raised beds to slowly dry to 11%.

Exporting Details:

An export company called Mastercol provides crucial logistical support for things like warehousing and milling coffee for export to the international market, which provides better income for everyone to reinvest in their farms and strengthen their families’ livelihoods.