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Belco

Colombia


Farm

Las Mercedes
Acevedo

About

Finca Las Mercedes, located in the municipality of Acevedo, south of Huila, is a true example of responsible coffee production. The Ossa family currently uses a series of sustainable farming systems. All inorganic waste from the farm (any plastic and objects other than food waste) is carefully collected in special bags, labelled and picked up twice a month by a recycling company that transports it to their local processing plant in the nearby town of Pitalito. All food waste is taken to one of two composting systems, where the pulp from the coffee cherries is also collected and turned into organic fertiliser for the Ossa's coffee and fruit and vegetable crops. The family produces all their own food now, so they don't have to travel to the city. They raise pigs and grow maize, beans, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, blackberries, garlic, carrots, yucca, bananas, plantains, lemons, oranges, pineapples and aloe. The farm is bordered by 15-20 metre long corridors of native trees and plants that Heladio planted to create a natural protective barrier around the property's three natural springs. These corridors have led to the return of many bird and animal species to the area. Several patches of protected forest reserve, as well as a small waterfall, are also located on the farm.

The farm in detail

  • Altitude

    1650 MASL
  • Environment

    Mountainous
  • Shady

    Under shade
  • Agroforestry level

    1 - Simple

Coffees of this farm