84.80

Farm

Information: EL ZAPOTE VERDE located in La Cuesta, Santa Barbara, were mostly coffee is produced. The farm is located in the Buffer Zone of Santa Barbara Mountain, a natural reserve zone declared National Park It is one of central America´s least explored and most diverse ecosystems, consisting of 321.23 Km2 of clouded forest, tropical rainforest and pine forest. A wide variety of fauna such as Lowland paca, squirrels, raccoons, wild cats, parrots, mountain rooster and birds that have made their homes here, as well as a range of trees such as Pine, cedar, mahogany, laurel tree, avocado tree, ferns and other native trees and orchids. The population of this zone is originally of the Lenca ethnic, and many customs and traditions have been inherited from them. Coffee growing is the primary activity for direct and indirect generation of income and employment for this city. There are 234 coffee growers that grow almost 750 hectares and produce 11,281 sacks of coffee (an average of 15 sacks per hectare) that are about 90% small growers, with coffee as their main income source and basis for the majority of the families economy. The harvest begins in December and ends in May, done manually for which pickers are brought in from Las Vegas and also from nearby. Before the picking begins, the workers are oriented to only cut ripe cherries and to transport them to collection areas, using clean bags. The processing is done in a wet mill using clean water from the mountain. The coffee is then sun dried using IHCAFE´s solar dryers. The coffee is then transported by mule since there are no roads that access the farm. This is one of the most difficult tasks due to the steepness and difficulty of the trail.

About his family:

Originally from La Union, Lempira, son of coffee growers, Don Pedro decided in the mid 90’s to migrate to La Cuesta were he established a green house of 10,000 plants and planted almost 1.5 hectares which he has been extending throughout these years to almost 10 hectares. The Pineda-Barrientos consists of 12 members, Pedro, his wife and 10 kids.

What is the secret of your success?

To process his coffee in the cleanest way possible, and to harvest at the optimum point of ripeness. How do you feel being a winner of the Cup of Excellence Honduras 2010? Very happy because it means I have one of the best coffees in the country.

His experience in the Cup of Excellence:

This is the third time participating in COE and first time he makes it to a place in the auction.