Costa Rica Coffee Business
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: SKILLS, EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP:
We are raising funds to support women coffee farmers by offering business assistance and development programs aimed at providing access to training, subject matter experts, conferences, and mentorship that will empower the women with knowledge and skills for their long-term financial success. In terms of environmental sustainability, the women farmers are also developing local initiatives for eco-friendly operations such as better irrigation, green houses, and beekeeping.
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE LOCAL ECONOMIES:
The cooperative is seeing a high demand for their coffee and so are hoping to raise money to have more working capital to purchase coffee beans from other local producers to process at their coffee production facility in La Legua. They estimate that they can process 10 times their current value, which would mean huge gains for the association of women farmers, their families and communities, and would set them up for long-term success. An integral part of this process is working with the women to create and implement a sustainable business plan.
ROTARY AND FRIENDS SITE VISIT IN COSTA RICA GOAL,
There was a Project Trip to Costa Rica March 3-11, 2025 for the purpose of visiting with the Women Coffee Farmers, see their impressive production facility, listen to their stories, share in their achievements and successes, and consider opportunities for long-term partnership. There were 7 participants including Rotarians and Friends. The itinerary for this Site Visit included a Coffee Farm Visit to La Legua, a University For Peace visit and Peace Pole Dedication in San Jose, Partnership Events with Rotarians in Cartago and San Jose and ended with a stay at an Ecolodge in the Costa Rican Rainforest.
VISIT REPORT:
It’s hard to put into words the magic of seeing a Rotary Service Project in person…but seven friends and Rotarians all experienced a full immersion into the life of women coffee farmers in Costa Rica.
Day One: The project included a full day at the Costa Rican, University For Peace: lunch, tour of campus, 1/2 day workshop on PeaceLeaders vs PeaceMakers, and a Peace Pole Celebration. It was a moving day that we shared with San Jose Noreste and Belen Rotary Clubs and UFP staff and students.
Day Two: Our group had a great introduction to the coffee industry with “Bean Voyage” especially about their work with smallholder women coffee farmers, including ASIPROFE. Our partners from the San Jose Noreste and Belen Rotary Clubs joined us again and we enjoyed a coffee cupping of the freshest coffee available and many questions of interest were asked by all.
Day Three: Our group visited Cafe Aromas de la Legua (ASIPROFE) and toured the coffee farms and micromill facility where nine amazing women work around the clock to produce some of the finest coffee in Costa Rica. These women are resilient, strong, and courageous, and have overcome so many obstacles to get where they are today. They welcomed us with open arms and shared a slice of what it takes to run their impressive operation. We are grateful for the collective efforts that make this project possible and the partnerships that fuel this incredible process. It truly is a journey of persistence and love!
