COFFEE FARMING: A FATHER’S LEGACY

As we walked through Elvin’s coffee farm in El Castillo, Las Sabanas, we met a special guest: Don Felipe Alvarado—Elvin’s father. With a smile on his face, Don Felipe told us he was very proud of all the accomplishments his son was making through his hard work. Don Felipe taught Elvin how to work the land and produce coffee from a very young age.

“I’VE HAD THE HONOR TO LEARN FROM THE BEST TEACHER OF ALL. MY FATHER TAUGHT ME A LOVE OF FARMING; HE ALSO TAUGHT ME TO KEEP FAITH.”

— ELVIN ALVARADO

At 45 years of age, Elvin is now a father himself. More than ever, he values his father’s legacy. Through hard work and faith Elvin has always been able to move forward during difficult times to make ends meet for his family.

“BEING A SMALL FARMER MEANS TRUSTING GOD. I PRAY A LOT TO BE ABLE TO TRUST.”

Elvin’s trust in God, led him to the decision of joining ANF’s El Castillo Coffee Project, where his life as a small farmer would be changed. Before joining, to be able to sell his coffee, Elvin would have to travel hours by foot to reach the closest market, where he would negotiate prices for tiny profits.

The project has enabled Elvin to access high value markets and better prices. He has benefited from technical assistance and new tools for a proper post-harvest coffee handling. Additionally, Elvin has received training in organic cultivation for pests control, while increasing the quality of his coffee and reducing environmental impact. In 2019, Elvin’s efforts paid off as he delivered 10 coffee quintals.

Through knowledge, hard work, and faith, Elvin is improving his family income, while honoring his father’s legacy. His goal is to expand his farm from two acres to five and share his knowledge with his father and others.

“I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO GOD AND EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME. MY DREAM IS TO CONTINUE LEARNING AND GROWING FOR MY FAMILY.”

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