4 LOS AGUACATES Mexico 2023

My name is Agustín López guzmán, I am 31 years old and I am originally from the Sibactel community, my mother tongue is Tzotzil I also speak Spanish, I share my story about my plot and the activities that are currently carried out, it is located on the eastern side of the Sibactel community, with four lots that make up an area of ​​one hectare which is named The Avocados.
The first coffee plantations were made by my grandfather Don Agustín López some 51 years ago with typical varietals such as Typica and Bourbon. After my father cultivated them, luckily this farm was my inheritance. Since I was a child I liked agriculture learning the teachings from my grandfather and my father, to how cultivate the land. I have been working on my farm for 12 years. In my farm I cultivate varietals such as Caturra, Bourbon and Garnica, having shade from trees such as Chalum, Jinicuil. At the beginning, the harvests were not good since it is a cold area. As time went by the harvest improved since I carried out the activities and entire production process having as sale option the selling of my harvest to intermediaries. As I did not knew where to sell, I searched and knocked on doors to train myself and thus improve my economy, I interacted with buyers and they liked my coffee and had a better payment, but I never felt comfortable. I tried harder and harder for the quality of my product to be recognized, but the clients were never interested in my effort since I carried out activities and invited them to my plot but they were always busy. That is when I decided to look for other sources and I found an organization called Union of Ejidos and San Fernando Communities, its objective is based on organic production and the social collaboration of its partners. I organized myself with them and we started a Improvement work on my plot with new activities. I was proud when they told me that my work was good and I only need improvement in some activities of application of compost that I carried out and organic inputs that my organization produces. What I needed most was to improve in the process of benefited since the pulping and fermentation were not adequate and the drying time. After all this, I saw that the quality of my coffee improved a lot since, reaching high notes. IN 2021 they invited me to participate and I had the 13th place in the Cup of Excellence Mexico in 2021. In 2022 I won the 13th position as well. This year I feel very proud because I won the 4th in COE Mexico 2023 and I know that this effort will be worthwhile for other countries to drink and enjoy my coffee. I know that much remains to be done to improve the quality since improving the structures of my beneficio. Since two years ago, I am currently training in workshops to experimenting new processes, I am also planting new varietals with the idea of ​​improving quality . As a small producer I take care of and carry out activities to contribute to the environment. Been part of the organization we have FairTrade International certification and Organic Certification (CERTIMEX, NOP, JAS, LOOAA).
Thank you. The coordinates of my farm are: 16°53'81.0 -92°30'54.0Varieties on the property: Caturra, Bourbon, Garnica.
Also I have Micro batch experience, I Carry out periodic evaluations of my coffee with the cuppers of the organization. InActivities Harvesting specialty, my family and I only cut ripe grains. The Harvest months of my coffee are February, March, April.