Last November, we launched the Women in Coffee Fund with a clear goal: to invest in the communities where our coffee is grown in a meaningful, lasting way. Since then, 5% of every sale from this Women in Coffee line, both in Colombia and the U.S., has gone directly toward initiatives that support independent women coffee producers.
Our first project took us to Pitalito, Huila, in partnership with the Terra Coffee association. We developed the initiative alongside their team and association leader Juliana Guevara, shaped by ongoing conversations with FLORESENCIA, a group of 20 women coffee farmers.
In this region, the main harvest lasts only about three months, from October through December. For the rest of the year, income can be less predictable, and many families rely on additional sources of revenue. This project was designed to help address that gap by creating something the women can manage directly. To each of the 20 coffee farmers, we donated chicken coops with 20 laying hens to produce farm-fresh eggs, providing an additional income stream while also contributing to food security at home.
The project also follows a circular approach. Chicken manure is reused as organic fertilizer for their coffee crops, naturally closing the loop. Alongside this, a Terra Coffee agronomist works closely with the group, offering technical support to ensure proper implementation and long-term sustainability.
Each of the 20 producers received a full starter package, including:
- 20 hens
- Basic equipment like feeders and waterers
- Initial feed
- Technical training
- Compost to get started, plus guidance to produce their own
- Monthly tracking tools
We’re excited to follow the project as it evolves, measure its impact over time, and most importantly, see how it translates into real change for these women and their families. At its core, this is part of a broader commitment of investing in the people behind our coffee and building long-term relationships at origin.
