Guatemala - Red El Scorpion - Finca La Escondida - Marilyn Monterroso

Marilyn Monterroso has owned the 24 hectare La Escondida farm since 2021. With the encouragement of her sister Dina, she joined UCCAFE that year as well, dedicating her farm to producing specialty level coffee and increasing the value she can receive for her crop and return back to her community. All of her coffee is shade-grown under a canopy of Gravilea, Guachipilín, pine, banana, and native trees. Traditional planting with varying spacing between rows and plants is employed  to promote soil conservation. A small river runs through the farm, dividing several properties and fields. In 2023, she planted bamboo, pine, and flowering shrubs to support bees, other pollinators, and wildlife. She has also made efforts to keep the river and soil free of herbicides and pollutants, opting for machete clearing and using coffee pulp as organic fertilizer in some areas. During the coffee harvest, the farm employs at least 15 to 20 people, mostly families and single mothers who travel from various regions. La Escondida provides housing for their comfort from the first day of the harvest until its completion, as well as year-round agricultural work required by the coffee fields. When we met Marilyn in 2023 we knew we wanted to provide as much support to her success as possible and are proud to bring you this years crop. 

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