About Us
History
- Finca Santa Marta begins its journey in the lush highlands of the Mataquescuintla in Guatemala. Our plants are grown at an optimal altitude of 1,800 to 2,200 meters above sea level, protected and nurtured under the shade of arboles de Grevillea, Kuje and others native to the highlands. Using only the highest standard and utmost care, the farm flourishes and provides us with a variety of Arabica Coffee plants.
- Our experienced workers harvest the perfectly ripe cherries using traditional methods. After being carefully hand-picked, the coffee beans are hulled and fully cleaned before being patio-dried, allowing the sun and fresh air to provide elements of ultimate authenticity to our coffee beans. These deliberately crafted coffee beans captivate the senses with a rich aroma and full-bodied, smooth flavor that incorporates hints of chocolate. Directly from our farms to your cup: Finca Santa Martha is proudly available both locally and online
Mission
- David Rodriguez Sr.
- Coffee is not just a hobby or a career for David Rodriguez Sr., it is a way of life. From an early age he learned how to cultivate coffee in a traditional, natural and sustainable way from his father Don Laureano Rodriguez. As a child, his fondest memories are running among thousands of coffee plants. It was here that he succumbed to the magic of both the process and product of coffee farming. From the aroma of damp earth and dry grasses to the euphoria of that first sip, the spell put on the senses is undeniable. It wasn’t long until he dreamt of having a coffee farm of his own.
- A lifetime of dedication and hard work has made that dream a reality. Three generations of coffee farmers lovingly and artfully tending their craft has evolved into an established business founded in integrity and sustainable craftsmanship. As this business expands David feels driven to give back to the community that has provided the nurturing environment in which his business has been allowed to prosper. His farm provides employment opportunities for local residents and ensures fair and equal treatment of all collaborators and partners.
Vision
- David Rodriguez is incredibly proud of his community for coming together to create an outstanding team composed of not just employees and coffee producers, but of cafes, hotels, offices, restaurants, and specialty markets. Together these outstanding people ensure every day that this work is carried out with absolute quality and care. It is because of this tireless teamwork and consideration that he went from a boy running through thousands of coffee plants daydreaming of a farm of his own, to creating and sharing the unique magic of coffee.
Values
- We strive to give back to our community by creating job opportunities and ensuring the fair treatment of our partners and collaborators. Our vision has always been to improve the quality of life in surrounding communities while still caring for people locally and nurturing their lifestyle.
- When it comes to improving a community’s quality of life, we recognize the importance of dental care. Dental care for children specifically can be preventative and caters to forming healthy habits that can carry on throughout their adult lives. Our annual dental day provides 100 children with dental cleaning, free of charge.
Woman in coffee Social change through added value
The coffee sector has traditionally been dominated by men. While a high percentage of the production workforce is female. Women were highly present in the community, family, fieldwork, harvest, and sorting. One of the reasons for working in coffee to Doña Lilly is recognize the hard work and equity value for all the women worldwide.
Agro-Ecological Farm Shade-Grown Coffee
Agro-Ecological Farm Shade-Grown Coffee
Agro-Ecological Farm Shade-Grown Coffee
Combining trees and farming
The environment around us is not only our home but everything that keeps us alive. Growing coffee in a a shade environment along with other plants and crop is the traditional way of cultivating coffee, we utilize different types and heights of trees to create and evironment that is ecologically diverse and resp
Combining trees and farming
The environment around us is not only our home but everything that keeps us alive. Growing coffee in a a shade environment along with other plants and crop is the traditional way of cultivating coffee, we utilize different types and heights of trees to create and evironment that is ecologically diverse and responsible. also can imitate a native forest, which allows many different varieties of birds, plants, and insects to thrive in it lush growth On the other hand, sun- grown coffee removes the natural protective barrier of trees, which means a greater number of chemical pesticides end up being used to prevent pets and disease, causing health concerns not only for the humans and n0n-human in the region. and increases and incentivizes deforestation.
Soil Facts: While soil may not sound like an exciting topic, it does in fact have a surprising impact on coffee and coffee production.
Shade coffee farming reduces soil erosion, which improves soil quality, leaves and foliage that fall from surrounding trees provide nutrients, which can replace the need for fertilizers.
protecting pollinators for overwhelming declines
Agro-Ecological Farm Shade-Grown Coffee
Agro-Ecological Farm Shade-Grown Coffee
The Mayan Bee, Our native Bee
The stingless bees are also called Xunan- Kab.
More than 3,000 years ago, this bee was domesticated by the Maya. They used their honey, pollen and wax for nutritional, medicinal, commercial and religious purposes. In fact, two of the Mayan gods, Nohyumcab and Ah Muzencab are shaped like a bee.
A recent study
The Mayan Bee, Our native Bee
The stingless bees are also called Xunan- Kab.
More than 3,000 years ago, this bee was domesticated by the Maya. They used their honey, pollen and wax for nutritional, medicinal, commercial and religious purposes. In fact, two of the Mayan gods, Nohyumcab and Ah Muzencab are shaped like a bee.
A recent study researched how birds helped control pests and how bees helped pollinate coffee farms.
Bees start to work during blooming.
As they visit the flowers of nearby trees to collect the nectar, they also collect pollen. And recent studies suggest that the transfer of pollen from one coffee flower to another can increase the pollination success and therefore the amount of fruit development. Plus, these visits improve the synchrony of fruit ripening, which improves the quality of the final harvest.
Beyond the direct benefits to coffee production, bees also transport a number of micro-organisms around the farm, and contribute to the good functioning of the ecosystem in which a range of species co-exist, competing and also benefitting from one another.