22 EL ZAPOTE (ETHIOPIA) El Salvador 2023

David Velásquez: A Remarkable Journey of Perseverance and Triumph

David Velásquez embodies the essence of determination and an unwavering hunger for success. As the eldest sibling among eight brothers and sisters, he emerged from humble beginnings, overcoming poverty to create numerous ventures and provide opportunities to his communities.

At a tender age of seven, David began assisting his father in the fields, cultivating corn and beans to sustain their family throughout the year. During school breaks, he and his family ventured to coffee plantations, where he worked as a coffee picker—a job he cherished. Not only did it enable him to support his education by purchasing school supplies, but it also fueled his passion for the coffee industry.

Despite his circumstances, David's father held traditional and strict beliefs, refusing to allow him to travel and continue his high school studies. In a pivotal moment, David made a courageous decision to escape to the coffee plantations. There, he dedicated himself to saving every penny for over two years, determined to pay his own way through school. Eventually, he graduated from high school and set his sights on San Salvador, the capital city.

Upon his arrival, David recognized the need to balance work and study, leading him to pursue a degree in accounting—the only field that afforded him the flexibility to achieve both simultaneously. After three years of hard work, he proudly earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, acquiring a wealth of knowledge. Driven by his expertise, he established his own auditing firm, offering invaluable services to various companies.

Over two decades, David's firm flourished, allowing him to accumulate savings and invest in diverse business ventures. It was one endeavor that brought him unparalleled success. He acquired a small farm named Fabiola, named after his cherished child, encompassing a mere two hectares. With the guidance of his esteemed friend, Sigfredo—an esteemed agronomist in El Salvador—he embarked on a journey to sell his own coffee.

Initially, the farm served as a weekend retreat for David and his children, but it soon blossomed into a thriving business. Encouraged by the remarkable response, he acquired Finca El Zapote, which he later renamed Finca Ethiopia, paying homage to the roots of coffee. Despite the skepticism of his children, who deemed him "crazy" for investing in an abandoned farm, David transformed the neglected land into a paradise for the rare Geisha and Kenyan coffee varieties. Six years later, in the farm's inaugural crop, it achieved the prestigious Cup of Excellence accolade—an astounding accomplishment.

Cultivating the Geisha variety posed tremendous challenges, but David's unwavering determination pushed him to embark on multiple trips to Panama, where he sought out the best practices for growing this exceptional coffee. He also conducted genetic studies to ensure the authenticity of the Geisha plants—an exemplification of his unyielding commitment to excellence.

Ever modest, David humbly states, "I don't know anything about coffee," a mindset that has fueled his success. His insatiable curiosity and willingness to continuously learn and embrace challenges have been his guiding principles. In 2018, alongside running his audit firm and other ventures, he pursued studies in Q Processing by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), immersing himself in knowledge, even though he couldn't attend the certification exams.

David Velásquez stands as a shining example that survival and triumph are attainable in this country. It requires seizing opportunities and, above all, relentless hard work. He embodies the spirit of curiosity, the thirst for knowledge, and the willingness to tackle any obstacle that comes his way.
History of the farm

Welcome to Finca Ethiopia, an enchanting haven nestled behind the majestic Ilamatepec volcano, offering breathtaking vistas of the entire Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range. In 2018, David embarked on an arduous journey to discover this natural paradise, a captivating land that had been left abandoned and desolate.

Ascending to dizzying heights of up to 2,050 meters above sea level, Finca Ethiopia stands as one of El Salvador's highest altitude farms, a testament to David's unwavering determination. His vision was to transform these 23 mz of land into a sanctuary dedicated exclusively to cultivating Geisha and Kenya varietals.
Countless efforts were poured into safeguarding the soil and nurturing the local wildlife, as David firmly believes that farms should coexist harmoniously with nature, allowing it to bestow essential elements for a truly exceptional crop.

The neighboring communities are filled with boundless gratitude, as Finca Ethiopia has emerged as a beacon of opportunity and employment, previously absent from their lives. Today, we anticipate that the fruits of our labor and unwavering commitment will continue to flourish, propelling the local economy to new heights. With each exceptional coffee produced, we aspire to elevate the name of El Salvador to unprecedented levels, establishing it as a beacon of excellence in the world of coffee production.

Come, immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Finca Ethiopia, where nature's bounty intertwines with the tireless efforts of our team. Discover a place where passion, sustainability, and the pursuit of excellence converge to create an extraordinary experience for coffee lovers worldwide.