Juan Flores García

Juan Flores grows only Typica variety on his 2-hectare farm. His farm, El Sauce, is named after the gradual change in shade trees. Over 30 years ago, shade trees were mostly species like Ingas, but in the wake of Hurricane Paulina in 2002, the plantations changed to willow trees. Therefore, he decided to name the farm that way, and today they serve as the primary shade trees in the coffee plantations. Juan Flores got involved in specialty co ee to be more profitable, one of his main challenges. He recognizes that by having better quality, he can access better prices; this motivates him to continue working in coffee.

Currently, he focuses on better farm nutrition, better processing, and drying practices. He has been growing coffee for more than 40 years and in specialty coffees for two years. He shares that it makes him proud to have an income from growing co ee, and especially knowing his children can see it as something that will help them get ahead in life. In his short and medium-term plan, he plans to improve the plant’s health and increase productivity to reach his goal of being more profitable.