DON ALFONSO

Aquiares, one of Costa Rica’s largest and most historic coffee farms, sits high on the fertile slopes ofTurrialba Volcano. Producing coffeecontinuously for over a century, the farm has developed an enduringmodel for growing high-quality Arabica coffee, protecting a stunning natural setting, and supporting athriving local community of 1,800 people. Established by British farmers in 1890, Aquiares was one of the firstestates to produce and export Costa Rican coffee. In 1971, the farm was purchased by its current owners-three families who have worked together with the farm ́s staff and community to implement a modernmodel of sustainable agriculture. Today, the Estate is the largest continuous coffee farm in Costa Rica,covering 924 hectares, 80% of which is planted under shade-grown Arabica.

Nestled between the Aquiares and Turrialba Rivers, “Aquiares” means “land between rivers” in CostaRica’s Huetar indigenous language. The region where the farm is located used to be the centre for thispre-Columbian civilization, and occasionally old artefacts are found among the coffee trees. In fact,Guayabo National Monument, Costa Rica ́s most important indigenous settlement, is just 5 km (3.1 miles)away. The land of Aquiares is blessed with a multitude of clean water sources and even provides drinkingwater to three communities down-stream. Coffee plots are interlaced with natural springs and countlessstreams and rivers, all of which are protected with forested buffer zones. The network of natural corridorsthroughout the farm connects the large, preserved forests in the two river valleys, providing a healthy environment for the local animals, birds, and plants.

Don Alfonso took over farm management in 1992, and at the time he was new(ish) to coffee. There are many ‘pre-Aquiares’ stories, too many for this info sheet, but enough to fill a book for sure (forthcoming we hope!). However, one thread throughout his life has been a commitment to social justice. From thebeginning, Don Alfonso made the social welfare of farm workers and the wider community one of his mainpriorities. His dedication has transformed the farm and the region.