Improving viability of small farms for future generations
Behind many small coffee farms lies a constant balancing act between quality, climate pressure, rising costs and long-term survival.
Since 2017, we’ve worked alongside exporter Caravela and the Chelazos producer group in La Palma, El Salvador to support María Zoila Piñeda and her small two-hectare farm, Finca Margarita.
What began as a conversation around coffee quality became a long-term partnership focused on helping create more stability, resilience and confidence in the future of the farm itself.
Watch the video above to hear the full story of this project.
The coffees connected to this project
Crucially, before this project existed it was impossible to access Maria’s coffee as a standalone lot - losing all opportunity to showcase this magical Finca. We have been able to access world exclusive coffee thanks both to this investment and the years and years of care, experimentation and continued commitment to quality.
What support looked like
The project launched in partnership with Maria herself and Caravela in 2017 as a long-term co-funded infrastructure and climate resilience initiative.
Before this project, María had to send her coffee cherries to neighbouring farms to be processed. That meant less control over quality, inconsistent results and less income from the coffee she worked so hard to produce. Increasing climate pressure from rising temperatures and incidences of pests and disease were also impacting the yield of the cherries she did have to harvest. We knew quality (increased cup profile = increased income) and agency over processing were crucial to the future of her farm.
Over five years, investment helped support:
- On-site processing equipment
- Raised drying beds
- A solar dryer
- Better drying consistency
- Greater control over quality after harvest
The goal wasn’t simply producing more coffee, but helping create the kind of stability that makes investing in the future of a farm feel possible.
What’s changed so far
Improved coffee quality and consistency
Having more control over processing has helped create more consistent quality and stronger long-term value for the farm.
Increased income potential
Better quality coffee and improved processing have helped create stronger long-term earning potential for María and her family.
Income above sustainability benchmarks
María now earns above recognised sustainability benchmarks for her coffee.
Greater financial stability
Improved income has supported stronger living conditions and greater long-term security for the farm and family.
Continued investment despite climate challenges
Despite heavy rain, storms and crop disease during 2023–24, María remained committed and continued reinvesting into the farm.
Supporting the next generation in coffee
Today, María’s son also works on the farm, helping continue the future of Finca Margarita into the next generation. He also has a roastery in San Salvador to which the majority of Maria’s harvest is sold, retaining much of this coffee’s value in the country of origin.
Meet María
María owns Finca Margarita, a small two-hectare farm in La Palma, El Salvador and part of the Chelazos producer group.
From the beginning, her coffees showed incredible quality potential, but without the right infrastructure on the farm it was difficult to fully realise the value that quality could create.
Through conversations with María, Caravela and the wider community, we explored what long-term investment can mean for small farms, not just financially, but emotionally too. Today, María’s son also works on the farm, helping continue the future of Finca Margarita into the next generation.
Click the video to hear from María herself
Every cup you brew helps shape what coffee’s future looks like.
Projects like this won’t solve every challenge facing coffee overnight.
But they can help small farms feel more stable, resilient and confident enough to continue investing in coffee long-term.
Behind every harvest is years of work, knowledge, uncertainty and care, often carried by families hoping coffee can continue supporting future generations.
For producers like María, access to better infrastructure can completely change what feels possible. More control over processing means better quality, stronger prices and greater long-term stability for the people behind the coffee itself.
And when farms feel stable enough to reinvest in their future, younger generations are more likely to stay connected to coffee too.
That future gets built slowly.
Harvest by harvest.
Year by year.
Thank you for being part of it.