copranil direct trade guidebook [draft]

Corquín, Copán, Honduras

2011

Greetings from COPRANIL

- 2 -

Carrie on a farm visit COPRANIL President, Fidel Romero

Gloria with Esperanza’s son in the office

Esperanza leaving the office

Coffee cherries from a Vicén family farm

Maida overlooks her farm

Drying coffee on the patio

Luis Estevez’s farm

Carrie and Carly cupping coffee at the office

Table of Contents

Introduction – COPRANIL 4

Welcome to the COPRANIL Direct Trade Project 5

About Us and Contact Information 6

Producer Profiles 7

Fidel Antonio Romero Molina 7

Angel Maria Peña Mejia 8

Luis Estevez 9

José Bernardo Hernández 10

José Tránsito Gutierrez 11

Mario Roberto Gómez López 12

Carlos Georgi Gómez López 13

Maida Gómez López 14

Reinerio Portillo 15

Juan José Vicén Díaz 16

Fredi Onan Vicén Peña 17

Conclusion 18

- 3 -

Introduction - COPRANIL

COPRANIL History

Formed in 1999 by 17 innovative coffee

farmers from Corquín, Copán, Honduras,

COPRANIL, the Cooperativa Regional

Agroforestal de Nuevas Ideas Limitada

(Regional Agro-forestry Cooperative of New

Ideas), stands as one of the oldest coffee

cooperatives in the western highlands of

Honduras. With over 80 current and active

members, COPRANIL bustles with activity

throughout the year and especially during

the months of December and January, the

peak months of the coffee harvest.

COPRANIL provides many services to its

members and has a range of coffee

processing equipment including a wet mill,

two horizontal dryers, and ample patio

space for solar drying. COPRANIL

processes and sells an average 1,500

quintales* of its members’ coffee each

year.

The members of COPRNAIL are very

involved in ensuring its success. Members

sit on the Board of Directors, Internal Audit

Committee, and Commercialization

Committee and work closely with

COPRANIL management. Additionally all

members attend bi-annual meetings.

COPRANIL also assists its members in the

farm certification process. One farmer has

already completed UTZ certification and 31

others are in the process.

* A quintal is equal to 100 pounds

Our Director

As the current director

of the cooperative,

Esperanza López

Aguilar remembers the

day that COPRANIL

was formed.

- 4 -

In fact, Esperanza attended the

inauguration of COPRANIL and was

hired as the first secretary of the

cooperative in 1999. Since then she

has worked at COPRANIL in various

roles, assuming her current role as

director in 2006.

Esperanza is married and has an 8

year old son, Hector Emilio. Her

husband, Hector Urrea, has farms in

Corquín and is a member of the

cooperative. During the busy coffee

season, the whole family practically

lives at the COPRANIL office.

The founding members of COPRANIL at

the 1999 inauguration. Esperanza is sitting

at the table, in the center.

Welcome to the COPRANIL Direct Trade Project

Origin of the Direct Trade Project

COPRANIL has historically sold its coffee in

the traditional Honduran way – through

intermediaries and exporters. COPRANIL

coffee would then be mixed with other

coffees of different origins and qualities,

thus losing its original integrity. Over the

past few years Esperanza López, the

director of COPRANIL, has been laying the

foundation for a shift to a more direct

selling model. In 2010, Esperanza

requested the assistance of a Peace Corps

Volunteer to specifically help with the

commercialization of the cooperative’s

coffee. As luck would have it, the two of us

were up to the task.

The Direct Trade Project is part of a larger

initiative to improve the commercialization

of COPRANIL’s coffee. To date, 12

members have become involved in the

project through creating farm profiles,

providing samples for cupping, and

showing continued interest in increasing the

quality of their coffee. This book is an

introduction to these producers, their farms,

their families, and their coffee.

- 5 -

Plans for the immediate future include

constructing solar dryers to increase the

quality and quantity of samples;

organizing cupping and quality classes for

interested members; and purchasing

necessary equipment to outfit a cupping

laboratory.

For us, this book has been a labor of love.

We have spent countless hours in the

COPRANIL office, visiting farms, sampling

coffees, and getting to know the producers

and their families. We hope that we have

done them justice with our work and that

you enjoy the finished product. We look

forward to being in further contact and will

gladly provide more information, send

samples, and welcome visitors to Corquín

and the cooperative.

Sincerely,

About Us and Contact Information

About Us

- 6 -

Contact Information

Carly Kadlec

[email protected]

gchat: carleenk2

+(504) 9835.7124

Carrie Perdue

[email protected]

gchat: carrie.perdue

+(504) 9876.2247

COPRANIL

[email protected]

+(504)9481.6674

The best way to keep in touch with us is

through e-mail. One of us checks our e-

mail at least once a day. Please be sure

to include both Carrie and Carly in any e-

mail correspondence to COPRANIL as

they will need translation help. Thanks

and we look forward to being in touch!

Hailing from the

suburbs of Chicago,

Carly Kadlec graduated

from Washington

University in St Louis in

2010 with a degree in

Latin American Studies.

She is currently a Protected Areas

Management Volunteer with Peace

Corps Honduras. Besides working with

the coffee cooperative, Carly works with

students in the local school on

environmental education, micro-

watershed protection, and worm

composting.

From 2007-2010, Carrie worked as a

strategy consultant with Deloitte

Consulting, regularly traveling both abroad

and at home to work on projects. Carrie’s

other work as a Peace Corps Business

Volunteer in Honduras has included small

business advising and starting a national

data management initiative.

Carrie Perdue, born and

raised in West Virginia,

graduated from the

University of Virginia in

2007 with a degree in

Commerce with

concentrations in

Marketing and

Information Technology.

Fidel Antonio Romero Molina

Producer Profile

Fidel Antonio Romero Molina, or “Don

Fidel” as he is affectionately known, was

born and raised in a tobacco farming family

in Corquín. As a child he witnessed the

introduction of coffee into the region and

ever since then, he has been cultivating the

crop and expanding his farms.

Don Fidel shares his love of coffee farming

with his wife, Olga, who also maintains her

own coffee farms in the region. Their six

children are involved in all aspects of coffee

production on the family farms. Don Fidel

and Olga pride themselves in passing on

their knowledge of the coffee crop, as well

their land, to their children.

Most recently, the members of COPRANIL

elected Don Fidel as the President of the

cooperative and he will serve for the

duration of 2011.

- 7 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: Finca El Guayabo

Location: Los Cedros, Corquín,

Copán, Honduras

Size: 8 manzanas

Altitude: 1180 meters

Varieties: Caturra, Catuaí, Lempira,

IHCAFE 90, Bourbon

Production: 300 quintales

Shade: Guama, Pine, Orange,

Plantain, Avocado, Cedar, Mahogany

Soil: Loam - Sand

Fermentation: 12 hours

Drying: Patio and Industrial

Horizontal Dryer

Angel Maria Peña Mejia

Producer Profile

Angel Peña, or Lito, as he is informally

known by friends and family in Corquín, is

one of those coffee farmers who cannot let

a single day pass without visiting his farm.

Luckily, his farm, which is in the process of

UTZ certification, is close to his family’s

home.

Referred to as “la jefa” or “the boss,” Lito’s

wife Carmen, who helps support the family

by selling her famous bread, regularly helps

out on the farm during harvest time.

Carmen and Lito have passed their passion

for coffee along to their children. From

sharing the wet mill on his farm with his

oldest son to his youngest son’s

enthusiastic assistance, Lito involves his

kids in all aspects of farming. Additionally,

his daughter Gloria, works as an

administrator at the cooperative.

- 8 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: Finca San Rafeal

Location: Agua Caliente, Corquín,

Copán, Honduras

Size: 3.5 manzanas

Altitude: 1150 – 1200 meters

Varieties: Caturra, Lempira, IHCAFE

90, Bourbon


Shade: Guama, Pine, Orange,

Plantain, Cedar

Soil: Loam



Horizontal Dryer

Luis Estevez

Producer Profile

An enthusiastic learner, coffee producer,

and beekeeper, Luis Estevez is very

involved at COPRANIL. In addition to being

one of the most advanced producers in the

UTZ certification process, Luis is a member

of the Commercialization Committee at the

cooperative. He also has his own wet mill at

his farm which he shares with his father.

Luis has shown a lot of enthusiasm for

COPRANIL’s Direct Trade Project and has

expressed interest in improving the quality

of his coffee. Additionally, Luis is planning

on enrolling in the upcoming cupping

course that the cooperative is sponsoring.

Besides his coffee farms, Luis keeps and

maintains over 30 beehives near his home.

He is an active associate of a local honey

cooperative in Corquín.

- 9 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: Finca Las Cotuzas

Location: Portrerillos, Corquín,

Copán, Honduras

Size: 5 manzanas


Varieties: Caturra, Catuaí, Lempira


Shade: Guama, Nance, Pine,

Plantain, Cedar

Soil: Clay-Loam



Horizontal Dryer

José Bernardo Hernández

Producer Profile

Warmly referred to as “El Profe Bernardo,”

Bernardo Hernández is one of the most

involved members at COPRANIL. Bernardo

owns four farms, one of which is already

UTZ certified.

Bernardo’s father instilled in him a love for

coffee farming and a respect for the land.

From a young age, Bernardo was out

visiting his family farms and learning about

the other family business – raising egg

producing hens. Today, Bernardo owns and

manages a hen house in addition to his

coffee farms.

While not tending to his farms and hens,

preparing samples, and advancing his

remaining three farms in the UTZ

certification process, Bernardo is a beloved

third grade teacher at the local elementary

school in Corquín.

The photo on page 18 is an image of

Bernardo overlooking Corquín from one of

his farms.

- 10 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: Finca Los Laureles,

Finca Benedición de Dios, Finca La

Protección, Finca Bienaventuranzas

Location: Los Plátanos, Corquín,

Copán, Honduras

Size: 7 manzanas total

Altitude: 1000 - 1200 meters

Varieties: Caturra, Catuaí, Lempira

Production: 200 quintales total

Shade: Guama, Nance, Pine,

Plantain

Soil: Loam, Sandy



Horizontal Dryer

José Tránsito Gutierrez

Producer Profile

Tránsito Gutierrez is truly an embodiment

of the direct coffee trade principles. One of

the largest producers in the cooperative,

Tránsito has taken it upon himself to serve

as an example for other producers.

His farm, Finca Guardabarranco, which is

in the process of UTZ certification, is

situated around a large and precious

source of water for the community of

Corquín. Tránsito has purchased much of

the land around his farm and currently

engages in conservation efforts to protect

the water source. In addition to his passion

for conservation, Tránsito also focuses on

providing superior conditions for his coffee

pickers. His farm is outfitted with adequate

private housing to accommodate all of his

workers and his family. During coffee

season, Tránsito lives on his farm with his

wife and three children.

A retired lawyer, Tránsito is also very

interested in developing eco-tourism

opportunities in the area. He has already

begun constructing tourism infrastructure

on his property.

- 11 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: Finca Guardabarranco

Location: Quebrada Honda,


Size: 35 manzanas

Altitude: 1100 - 1300 meters


90, Catuaí


Shade: Guama, Cedar, Mahogany,

Pine, Plantain, Orange

Soil: Clay-Loam



Horizontal Dryer

Mario Roberto Gómez López

Producer Profile

Crossing the River Jopopo to get to his

farm, Mario Gómez López discusses the

finer points of the international coffee

market. A student of all things coffee

related, Mario is extremely interested in

COPRANIL’s Direct Trade Project and

expanding his knowledge of the coffee

commodity chain.

Mario is part of a large and proud coffee

growing family. He and his 10 brothers and

sisters all own farms in and around

Corquín. Mario is keeping the family

tradition alive by involving his wife and 4

children in all aspects of his coffee farm.

Gómez López’s farm, Las Brisas del

Jopopo, is in the process of UTZ

certification. He operates a small wet mill at

his home that he often shares with his

family.

- 12 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: Las Brisas del Jopopo

Location: Loma Alta, Corquín,

Copán, Honduras

Size: 4 manzanas


Varieties: Caturra


Shade: Guama, Cedar, Plantain,

Orange

Soil: Clay, Loam



Horizontal Dryer

Carlos Georgi Gómez López

Producer Profile

Very well known in the Corquín community

as an educational leader, Georgi Gómez

López, or “El Profe Georgi” has a school

named after him in Los Plátanos, the

location of one of his farms.

In addition to his duties as regional director

for the local school district, Georgi owns 4

different farms, two of which are in process

of UTZ certification. He also finds time to

serve faithfully on the COPRANIL Board of

Directors.

Georgi is being featured in this book with

two of his siblings, Mario and Maida. And,

like many of the other farmers in Corquín,

Georgi truly believes that coffee farming is

a family affair. Georgi processes his coffee

at his mother’s wet mill, helps his 10

brothers and sisters with various coffee

related tasks, and always involves his wife

and four young daughters, hoping one day

to leave his farms to his daughters.

- 13 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: Finca Los Plátanos,

Lagunitas, Paso de la Vaca, Finca

Azacualpa

Location: Corquín, Copán, Honduras



Varieties: Lempira, IHCAFE 90,

Catuaí


Shade: Guama, Pine, Cedar,

Plantain, Orange, Avocado, Mango

Soil: Clay, Loam



Horizontal Dryer

Maida Gómez López

Producer Profile

As one of the few female coffee farmers in

Corquín, Maida Gómez López does not shy

away from any aspect of farm life. At an

early age, she realized her passion for

coffee and has been expanding her

knowledge even since.

As a passionate coffee farmer and mother,

Maida has impressed upon her only child

and daughter the importance of economic

independence and self-sustainability.

Thanks to her mother’s support, her

daughter is currently studying to become a

lawyer. Dedicated to both family and farm,

Maida exemplifies the hard work and

passion of COPRANIL’s producers.

Between getting her two farms certified with

UTZ and teaching her daughter the ropes

of the coffee business, Maida stays busy

throughout the year.

- 14 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: El Supte, El Zapote

Location: Loma Alta, Corquín,

Copán, Honduras



Varieties: Caturra, IHCAFE 90,

Catuaí


Shade: Guama, Pine, Cedar,

Plantain, Orange

Soil: Clay, Loam



Horizontal Dryer

Reinerio Portillo

Producer Profile

Well-respected and well-liked by the

members of COPRANIL, Reinerio Portillo,

or “Don Reinerio”, recently completed a 5

year term as President of the cooperative.

As he completed his term, he stepped into

a new role as President of COPRANIL’s

Internal Audit Committee.

When Don Reinerio is not tending to his

farm or at the COPRANIL office, he also

operates his own business which

purchases and processes late season

coffee harvests for sell to national

Honduran buyers.

Portillo wet mills his own coffee at the

facility of his business. Portillo’s farm, La

Venada, is in process of UTZ certification.

Don Reinerio is married with 4 kids and his

wife and children can frequently be found

helping him on the farm.

- 15 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: La Venada

Location: Los Plátanos, Corquín,

Copán, Honduras

Size: 4 manzanas



90, Catuaí, Bourbon


Shade: Guama, Mahogany, Cedar,

Laurel, Orange, Avacado, Lemon

Soil: Loam



Horizontal Dryer

Juan José Vicén Díaz

Producer Profile

More commonly known as “Don Chepe,”

Juan José Vicén Díaz owns two farms in

the Corquín region. In the process of UTZ

certification, Finca Los Vertientes lies on a

particularly steep slope in the mountains

above Corquín. However, Don Chepe’s

attention to live barriers and reforestation

projects demonstrates his commitment to

the land. Chepe’s legacy as a well-liked

and respected coffee farmer in the region

can already be felt as all of his eleven

children own or work on coffee farms in

Corquín.

Previously serving on the Internal Audit

Committee of COPRANIL, Don Chepe

currently serves on the cooperative’s

Commercialization Committee. His service

to the cooperative reaches all the way back

to 1999 as Don Chepe was a founding

member.

- 16 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: Los Vertientes, Los

Barrancos

Location: Yarguera and Los Llanos,





90, Catuaí


Shade: Guama, Plantain, Cedar,

Orange, Avacado, Lemon

Soil: Loam, Sandy



Horizontal Dryer

Fredi Onan Vicén Peña

Producer Profile

As the oldest son of Don Chepe, Fredi

Onan Vicén Peña has grown up in the

coffee business. After years of helping his

father out on the farm, Fredi now has two

farms of his own and one of his wife’s to

keep him busy. His farm, La Falda, which

literally means “the skirt,” referring to the

steep slope of the land, is currently in the

process of UTZ certification.

Along with his wife Suyapa and their five

children, Fredi spends nearly every day of

the coffee season on the farm picking,

depulping, and washing coffee. After a

small production in the 2009-2010 season

due to a thorough pruning, Fredi’s farms

are coming back strong.

In addition to having farm work to keep

himself busy, Fredi also serves on the

COPRANIL Board of Directors.

Fredi and Suyapa’s oldest daughter, Karen,

is seen below picking coffee.

- 17 -

Farm Facts

Farm Name: La Falda, La Loma

Location: Yarguera and Los Llanos,




Varieties: Caturra, Lempira


Shade: Guama, Plantain, Cedar,

Orange, Avacado, Lemon

Soil: Loam, Sandy



Horizontal Dryer

Thank you and we hope you enjoy the view…

copranil direct trade guidebook [draft]

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