We purchase our Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee from Mesa de los Santos via Elan Coffee Importers.  We carry Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee as a service to specific customers of ours.  Although we would prefer to purchase Rainforest Alliance certified coffees directly from small scale coffee farmer coops, we cannot, as Rainforest Alliance workes with coffee estates.  As a privately held coffee estate, Mesa de los Santos is not considered Fair Trade per se, though its conformance with the high standards of Rainforest Alliance ensures that the estates workers are treated fairly... as is the environment.  The following is a general profile of Mesa de los Santos...

Mesa de los Santos is located on plateau in the Santander region of Colombia, above the Sogamoso and Manco Rivers near Chicamocha Canyon (Colombia's "Grand Canyon").  Its elevation is 5,100 feet where the climate is perfect for growing quality shade grown, organic coffee.  Mesa de los Santos is certified organic, shade grown, Rainforest Alliance, and bird friendly.

Although an estate coffee, Mesa de los Santos employs sustainable farming practices and has received national recognition for its environmentally-friendly practices.  For example, composted chicken manure is used as an excellent natural "fertilizer" for the farm's land. The chicken manure mixed with rice husks is then combined with post-wet-process coffee mucilage and pulp.  Between the coffee rows, herbs including lemon balm and mint are planted as natural insecticides. Every 15 days, a mixture called purin is applied to the seedlings. This concoction contains leaves from many of the shade trees and plants that are cultivated on the farm that act as natural fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides. These are mixed with cattle manure, naturally growing groundcover, yeast, and molasses to introduce and feed desirable microorganisms that help the plants grow healthier.

The multi-layered shade of the farm is an absolute haven for resident and migratory birds. Today, there are 48 varieties of shade trees established throughout the farm--more than 43,250 shade trees total--from the temporary shade of the banana to the intermediate shade and wonderful mulch created by the fallen leaves of the nine varieties of guamo to the beautiful, feathery, umbrella-like canopy of the galapo.

In addition to being an environmentally friendly farm, Mesa de los Santos takes care of its workers. There are 310 workers that receive wages at 65% above the Colombian minimum salary.  The workers and their 548 family members also receive free health care and dental benefits, education allowance for children, disability insurance, and a retirement pension.

For more information, visit their website at www.cafemesadelossantos.com