Ken Kierstead and I first visited Oaxaca late in 2008. Our contact, Gildo, is the current president of Coop Yeni Navan MICHIZA. This coop represents 47 communities throughout the state of Oaxaca. Gildo is also the president of a coop inside the larger coop called COMUNIDADES UNIDAS DE YUCUHITI SC de RL de CV representing six communities; San Jose Zaragoza, Guadalupe Miramar, Reyes Llano Grande, Guadalupe Buena Vista, San Pedro Yosotatu, and Santiago Nuyoo. After our first visit, Gildo presented us with three community based projects; a land renovation project supporting all six communities, a coffee roasting project for the community of Buena Vista, and two vegetable greenhouses for the communities of Buena Vista and Miramar.

It was a true joy to see the progress of these projects. Although the progress is great, there are several challenges that need to be addressed in order for success to be seen in these projects and real transformation of these communities to take place. I will address each project in detail in the following paragraphs.
LAND RENOVATION
A large mesh greenhouse was constructed and it is filled with thousands of coffee plants. Roughly two-thirds of the coffee was planted using rich organic compost. They ran out of resources to obtain the compost for the remaining third and it shows in the growth of the plants. Also, the mesh used for the top needs to be a tighter weave. The area has been experiencing hail/freezing rain which damaged some of the crop. A tighter weave would prevent the hail from coming through the greenhouse.
The second challenge is the need for agricultural training including greenhouse training. To maximize the potential of the land renovation project, the farmers need technical help from agricultural coffee specialist. This training would need to start with caring and nurturing coffee plants in the greenhouse and continue through planting, maintaining, and harvesting the plants to maximize quality and yield.
The final challenge with the land renovation project is the location of the six communities in relation to the coffee greenhouse. The distance is not great, within an hour and half one can travel to all communities. The problem is that vehicles are rare among the farmers and walking the distance with hundreds of coffee plants is nearly impossible. A delivery system needs to be created and possibly smaller greenhouses in each community for distribution to the farmers of each community.
Maximizing quality and yield of coffee within a community as a means to propel the community towards a greater level of self-sufficiency is at the center of Pura Vida’s mission. The challenges in these six Oaxacan coffee growing communities are not new, similar challenges are found in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, and most likely the majority of coffee growing countries. The major overarching issue is that these farmers are located in very rural areas, they typically do not have enough land to grow a crop that can produce a livable income, and they traditionally do not treat their coffee like a business but rather a way of life.
COFFEE ROASTING PROJECT IN BUENA VISTA
The coffee farmers of Buena Vista drafted a proposal to launch a coffee roasting micro business. The goal proposed was to diversify the income stream of the coffee farmers and educate the farmers on the flavors of coffee so that they better understand what they are selling. In simple terms, the idea is to take a portion (probably 1/4) of the coffee crop, roast it, grind it, and sell it in local markets including Oaxaca City.
The challenge is training. Cupping, roasting, grinding, and packaging training is needed to insure success of this project.
VEGETABLE GREENHOUSES
During our first visit back in Fall of 2008, diversification of diet was of high importance, especially among the women. Two greenhouses were proposed which we funded. These greenhouses are in the communities of Buena Vista and Miramar. The proposed goal of these houses was to improve the diet of the community by growing a variety of vegetables. The challenge again is training. The individuals responsible for greenhouses need greenhouse agricultural training to make this project thrive. Key issues include; how to keep pest out, what will grow best and worst, and what time of year to plant what?
I will be working with several colleagues to develop a short and long range plan to address each challenge with the goal of helping each community reach a higher level of self-reliance.
]]> http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=503 0 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=480 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=480#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:57:06 +0000 Sam http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=480 As expected, our access to the the web was none existent during our time at the coffee farms. We arrived back in Oaxaca City this evening after an absolutely wonderful visit with the farmers of Buena Vista, Miramar, Reyes Llamo, Nuyoo, and Zaragoza.


View from Buena Vista

On Tuesday, we visited Buena Vista and were able to see the location that has been constructed for the new coffee roaster that will be delivered next week, as well as the greenhouse that will soon be the home of many vegetables. We will be working with the community to give them proper training on how to manage the greenhouse and added training on proper roasting. They will be selling roasted coffee throughout the region. The goal is to not only bring added income but also increase the quality of the coffee consumed by the farmers themselves.


Greenhouse in Buena Vista

On Wednesday morning we departed for Miramar where we have invested in a land renovation project and a women run greenhouse. The women have done a wonderful job on constructing a beautiful greenhouse where they plan to grow many vegetables including greens. The goal, stated by Sophia who is the leader of the womens group, is to increase the nutrition within their families and the community.


Sophia & Gildo - Mother & Son

Gildo, the president of the coop, headed up the land renovation project which began by constructing a large house for starting coffee plants that will be used to replace aged coffee plants throughout six communities. Many of the communities plants are too old to produce a good crop. There is still some needed training that the farmers need to be able to renovate their land but they are on the right track and we are eager to help them find the right training.


Land Renovation Greenhouse in Miramar



New coffee plants in greenhouse



Coffee of Miramar

I will blog the visits to the remaining communities in the coming days. Thank you for your support. We would not be able to come along side the coffee farmers of Oaxaca without your support.
]]> http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=480 0 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=471 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=471#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:53:09 +0000 Sam http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=471 Waiting in Houston!

I am very excited about our visit to Oaxaca. I am currently waiting in Houston to board my final flight to Oaxaca. Tomorrow morning we will head out into the hills of Oaxaca for the next few days. Last year we started several projects in Oaxaca and this will be our first visit since they began. Just to recap, the projects are a land renovation project in the community of Miramar, a community greenhouse also in Miramar, and a coffee roasting project in Buena Vista. We will also be meeting with a small organization called Circle of Women. We are partnering with Circle of Women to bring continued health education to the women of Miramar. I look forward to updating you on the progress of these projects.

A few facts about Oaxaca:
- Oaxaca is one of the 31 states of Mexico and is the 5th largest
- Located in the Southern part of the country
- Home of the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples
- Average altitude is 1,500 meters
- Coffee represents 30% of the state’s exports

I hope to post again tomorrow.

Ciao,
Sam Snyder
]]> http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=471 0 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=462 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=462#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:24:39 +0000 Sam http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=462
Everything is set. We will be traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico the first week of March to visit our friends and growers in Miramar and Buena Vista.
On the agenda:
Monday – Travel day
Tuesday – Drive to Miramar (5hrs or so). We will visit our greenhouse and land renovation projects and start a new project with Circle of Women to bring health education to the women of Miramar.
Wednesday – Drive to Buena Vista which is pretty close to Miramar. We will visit the beginning stages of a coffee roasting project that we are funding. The farmers of Buena Vista will be actively selling roasted coffee in several markets throughout Oaxaca.
Thursday – We will visit a few other communities on our drive back to Oaxaca City to understand some new project opportunities.
Friday – Debrief in the morning and fly home in the afternoon.
I am very excited to see the progress of our projects and see where else we can have positive sustainable impact. I will attempt to update the blog throughout the trip if technology allows it.
Thanks for you support of Pura Vida!
Ciao,
Sam Snyder
Director of Marketing & Philanthropy
]]> http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=462 0 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=428 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=428#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:36:44 +0000 Sam http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=428 We received the following email from a loyal Pura Vida customer. Thanks for letting us know Eric!


Cafe Kilimanjaro


“I am a long and loyal Pura Vida customer. I purchase Cafe Kilomanjaro coffee, and think it is THE STUFF. This past summer, I purchased my usual 6 lbs of THE STUFF, and it wasn’t as good, and the packaging was different. I was disappointed. However, I got an email from you this fall indicating that you were changing things for the better, and, in October, I ordered another 6 lbs to take advantage of free shipping. Well, I just opened the new stuff, and WOW – you brought it all back, and then some. I absolutely love it, and am SO glad it is back. Thanks!”
-Eric Emmons
]]> http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=428 0 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=406 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=406#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:43:31 +0000 Sam http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=406 Thursday, October 1st


Morning on Lake Attitlan



Morning swim

San Juan Library Project


Studying at the library



Meeting with the director



Enjoying a book!



Finding the perfect book

Friday, October 2nd
Fotokids


Picture



Nancy and Jeff discussing Fotokids



New addition to Fotokids school

]]> http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=406 0 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=387 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=387#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:28:05 +0000 Sam http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=387 Tuesday, September 29th
Cooperative Santa Anita la Union


New Processing Area



New Drying Patio



Drying Coffee



Baby Plants

Leaders from Empresa Campesina El Nuevo Renacimiento


Meeting with all the leaders



Leaders of Empresa Campesina El Nuevo Renacimiento

Wednesday, September 30th


Coffee Cherries



The Pura Vida School Bus



Powered by Pura Vida



Computer Center



Student working in the computer center

Cooperative FECCEG


Processing Facility



Sam Snyder



Lake Attilan

Womens Weaving Project

Cooperative La Voz


Tour of La Voz



Tour of La Voz

]]> http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=387 0 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=369 http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=369#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:50:23 +0000 Sam http://www.puravidacoffee.com/blog/?p=369 Monday, September 28th

Our time with Fedecocagua




Jeff Hussey tasting Guatemalan coffee at Fedecocagua



Jeff Martin getting ready for the cupping to begin



A lot of coffee and a little wine



A wall of Guatemalan coffee

Meeting with Anacafe


Barista training



Roasting Lab

Tuesday, September 29th
Cooperative Nahuala


President of Coop Nahuala



Vice President of Coop Nahuala



Jeff Hussey shooting the processing area



Nursery and Composting area



The red worm & organic compost



Weaving



Our amazing guide & translator - Hugo



Traditional Guatemalan Bread




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