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Meet the farmers

Meet Marta

The name Solares has been part of the Thrive Farmers history since the beginning. Rogelio Solares, one of the original Thrive family since its founding, introduced us to his family in Concepcion Pinula, Guatemala just southeast of Guatemala City. Marta is the matriarch of coffee farming in Concepcion Pinula, and in addition to being a mother of ten, grandmother, wife, and community leader, she has been farming coffee for most of her life. She is a testament to the power and resiliency of women in coffee, and their leadership and innovation in bringing coffee growing to the next generation.

Marta Solares

Guatemala

FARM:

La Esperanza

PROCESSING METHODS:

Washed

REGION:

El Sombrerito, San Jose Pinula,Guatemala

VARIETIES:

Catuai, Caturra, Bourbon

COFFEE PRODUCTION:

2.10 hectares

How We Met Marta

The name Solares has been part of the Thrive Farmers history since the beginning. Rogelio Solares, one of the original Thrive family since its founding, introduced us to his family in Concepcion Pinula, Guatemala just southeast of Guatemala City. Marta is the matriarch of coffee farming in Concepcion Pinula, and in addition to being a mother of ten, grandmother, wife, and community leader, she has been farming coffee for most of her life. She is a testament to the power and resiliency of women in coffee, and their leadership and innovation in bringing coffee growing to the next generation.

Marta's Kitchen is her Office

Literally, Marta’s kitchen table is where the association meets and where the future of their coffee production is discussed. Around that table, the association decided to partner with Thrive five years ago. She, along with her son, Vinicio, and other producers, had faith in Thrive, with the association investing 5,000 pounds of green beans in the first year. Now 2/3’s of their production is brought to market through Thrive, over 80,000 lbs of green beans.

What's important to Marta and her family

Marta wants her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to continue the tradition of coffee farming. She wants the relationship with Thrive to continue growing. She wants more people to enjoy the coffee that her family grows.

Where Marta lives and grows coffee?

Marta and her family in Concepcion Pinula, Guatemala, are part of a 17-member farmer association called the Association of Coffee Producers of Concepcion Pinula. Marta was a founding member of that association. The association was a result of Marta’s leadership in seeking a better way to work together as neighbors and coffee farmers in the small community of Concepción Pinula, aiming to find new markets, adopt best shared practices, and lower costs by working collectively. The community sought stable and long-term relationships for their coffee. They were tired of selling their coffee cherries to “coyotes” for low prices with no other options. The most important part of the association is mentoring the next generation to continue in the family business.

Meet Luo

The first time Thrive visited Luo Cheng, the local news channel covered the visit. Thrive purchased the first multi-ton shipment to be sent internationally from the area which affords the family greater opportunity and overall better recognition within China for this tea appellation. Luo Cheng is also the first non-coffee farmer to receive a second payment from Thrive, so the relaationship with Luo Cheng is long standing and historical for Thrive.

Luo Cheng

China

REGION:

Guizhou,China

How we met Luo Cheng

The first time Thrive visited Luo Cheng, the local news channel covered the visit. Thrive purchased the first multi-ton shipment to be sent internationally from the area which affords the family greater opportunity and overall better recognition within China for this tea appellation. Luo Cheng is also the first non-coffee farmer to receive a second payment from Thrive, so the relaationship with Luo Cheng is long standing and historical for Thrive.

What's important to Luo Cheng and his family

He cares about the prosperity of his family and the enviroment. The entire family works together on the farm in order to bring the them more together everyday. Also, because they are organic, they help ensure the health of the plant. Through these efforts, he feel good about his daily work and no longer need to go into office to provide for the familly.

Where Luo Cheng Lives and grows tea

While some of the family lives in the city where they have a small tea shop much of the time, they also have a home on their farm next to the factory. His brother, Luo Minggang, spends his time caring for the plants daily with the support of their 80 year old mother, who is still running around in gardens daily.

How does Luo Cheng help his community?

Luo Cheng takes great pride in his ability support his local economy by supporting other local farmers to grow organic tea. He also employees his fellow neighbors, supporting their ability to provide for their families. He is proud of where he comes from and wants to see the area thrive.

Meet Luo Cheng and his family farm

The Loushanchun farm consists of the family home, a production workshop, and fields of vegetables, rice, chili peppers, and tea. A single variety of camellia sinensis is planted in several sections that line the hillsides of the home and workshop.

Luo Cheng and his brother started the tea company in 2008. The farm is a multi-generational home and is incorporated into the lifestyle of the family and neighbors.

"International trade is a benefit to the farmers and processing facility for diversification of sales channels. The local news channel covered the first multi ton shipment to Thrive which affords the family greater opportunity in the area with local government and business and better recognition as a tea appellation in China"

Meet Vinicio

One thing you will learn if you hang around the world of coffee long enough is that coffee is 100% about family. Vinicio is part of a small community southeast of Guatemala City, called Concepción Pinula. His cousin, Rogelio Solares, was the first contact Thrive Farmers had in Guatemala, and in the beginning, Thrive Farmers was introduced to his cousin, Vinicio, and the rest of his family. And so coffee goes. It is all about relationships. Vinicio, as the leader of the farmer association of 17 farming families in his community, had faith in Thrive from the beginning, and he and his community have grown with us over the years.

Vinicio Gonzales

Guatemala

FARM:

Matazano

PROCESSING METHODS:

Washed

REGION:

El Sombrerito, San Jose Pinula,Guatemala

VARIETIES:

Catuai, Caturra, Pache

COFFEE PRODUCTION:

7 hectares

How we met Vinicio

One thing you will learn if you hang around the world of coffee long enough is that coffee is 100% about family. Vinicio is part of a small community southeast of Guatemala City, called Concepción Pinula. His cousin, Rogelio Solares, was the first contact Thrive Farmers had in Guatemala, and in the beginning, Thrive Farmers was introduced to his cousin, Vinicio, and the rest of his family. And so coffee goes. It is all about relationships. Vinicio, as the leader of the farmer association of 17 farming families in his community, had faith in Thrive from the beginning, and he and his community have grown with us over the years.

What's important to Vinicio and his community

Concepción Pinula, like many small coffee farming communities in Latin America, is at the mercy of a volatile and unpredictable coffee market. Vinicio was at the mercy of selling his coffee fruit to the buyer most available to him at the time his fruit ripens. He had very little control or ability to find the best market because the fruit must be sold within 24 hours of picking. Once he sold the fruit, that was the end of his opportunity with that year’s crop. Vinicio worked in the States for a few years in agriculture in the fields of California. He saw how much the coffee he grew actually costs the coffee lover in the U.S., and he knew there had to be a better way. When Thrive came along, he and his community saw the potential. Their dream of a stable, predictable and higher income was now possible. 5 years ago they sold 5,000 lbs of green coffee through Thrive. Today they are selling 66% of their coffee through Thrive, an amount of coffee over 80,000 lbs.

Why you are important to Vinicio

Like all of us, we want to know that what we do and who we are matters to others. At the heart of the matter, we want to know that what we do makes a difference. Over many cups of coffee, Vinicio has expressed the joy and satisfaction of knowing who drinks his coffee. He also finds satisfaction that because you love his coffee, you are allowing his family and community to thrive.

Meet Claudine Mukesharugo

Claudine Mukesharugo is a tea farmer and proud member of the Hillside Organic Tea Cooperative based in Kinihira, Rwanda. Claudine has been farming for many years and, along with tens of thousands of others in Rwanda, primarily relies on cultivating tea to provide income for her family. She takes immense pride in bringing her balanced, bright, and clean black tea that is the perfect base for a little bergamot flavored Earl Grey to customers like you. In partnership with the Sorwathe tea factory (the local processing facility), Claudine and all of the other cooperative members are ensured access to financing, training, community resources, and sales outlets for the purchase of their crop. The joint effort between this cooperative and Sorwathe supports the tea farmers and provides them independence along with a reliable network necessary to provide for all families involved.

No image

REGION:

Rulindo / Rwanda,Rwanda

Meet Claudine Mukesharugo

Claudine Mukesharugo is a tea farmer and proud member of the Hillside Organic Tea Cooperative based in Kinihira, Rwanda. Claudine has been farming for many years and, along with tens of thousands of others in Rwanda, primarily relies on cultivating tea to provide income for her family. She takes immense pride in bringing her balanced, bright, and clean black tea that is the perfect base for a little bergamot flavored Earl Grey to customers like you. In partnership with the Sorwathe tea factory (the local processing facility), Claudine and all of the other cooperative members are ensured access to financing, training, community resources, and sales outlets for the purchase of their crop. The joint effort between this cooperative and Sorwathe supports the tea farmers and provides them independence along with a reliable network necessary to provide for all families involved.

What's important to Claudine and her family?

Claudine grows tea for one main reason, to propel her family forward. As a teacher at the local school, she believes strongly in the power of education. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the main thing she uses her money for is to educate her children.

Where Claudine Lives and grows tea?

Claudine lives in a small village in the mountains of central Rwanda, a short walk from both her mother's house and the school where she works. Her plot of land is a simple, well kept, and ultimately prestine tea farm that sits right next to her mother's and sister's plot. Her tea plants are taller than her sister's and mother's as a physical reminder of the inspiration she gave to her family.

Why are you important to Claudine?

The hope of Claudine is to use the income she makes from growing tea in order to send her daughters through the university and eventually have a car for herself. Being able to sell her tea and buy more land from the profits is fundamental to her realizing her dreams.

What is the history of the farm?

5 years ago, Claudine was inspired by some local farmers and the local factory when they came together and formed a brand new cooperaative. Seeing the potential in this partnership, she realize that her dreams were within her reach. Her mother had provided her a piece of land next to her house and Claudine went to work planting tea and shade trees. Within a year, her sister joined her in this enterprise, planting tea right next to Claudine's plants. The next year, Claudine's mother joined in as well. Now, all three women farm in harmony.

Meet Jitendra

Jitendra Kumar Suklabaidya is an experienced tea producer based on the southern edge of the Silchar region of the Cachar district of Assam, India. He is a member of the newly formed Small Growers Association there that works in partnership with the Jalinga Tea Estate to process their delicious malty black tea and then commercialize it. The Small Growers Association is working to quickly to open their own production facility to maintain a more direct connection with the processing involved in transforming the leaves into the iconic Assaam black tea that we enjoy every day. They will continue working with their partner, Jalinga Tea Estate, to find buyers, showing us all what type of progress can happen from such a beautiful symbolic relationship. Over time, the efforts of the Small Growers Association for small farm level empowerment, the direct connection to production, and working with buyers like Thrive Farmers will increasingly benefit farmers like Mr. Suklabaidya to realize more stable and better incomes for all families involved.

No image

REGION:

Assam,India

Meet Jitendra Kumar Suklabaidya

Jitendra Kumar Suklabaidya is an experienced tea producer based on the southern edge of the Silchar region of the Cachar district of Assam, India. He is a member of the newly formed Small Growers Association there that works in partnership with the Jalinga Tea Estate to process their delicious malty black tea and then commercialize it. The Small Growers Association is working to quickly to open their own production facility to maintain a more direct connection with the processing involved in transforming the leaves into the iconic Assaam black tea that we enjoy every day. They will continue working with their partner, Jalinga Tea Estate, to find buyers, showing us all what type of progress can happen from such a beautiful symbolic relationship. Over time, the efforts of the Small Growers Association for small farm level empowerment, the direct connection to production, and working with buyers like Thrive Farmers will increasingly benefit farmers like Mr. Suklabaidya to realize more stable and better incomes for all families involved.

What is the history of the farm?

In 2009, Jitendra bought his farm after a very successful career as an award winning teacher. In fact, he was given this award from the president of India himself. After retiring, he got the opportunity to build out his dream farm and also organize a small farmer group to share resources and knowledge. In 2014, he went completely organic, which to him was very important so that he can give back to nature.

What does he wish was different for your life as a farmer?

He actually does not wish anything were different. He is very happy with his life farming and loves the fact that his family is involved with him on the farm. He has a very big family with 17 members in total, including grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Why does Jitendra grow tea?

He grows tea in order to support his community and give back to nature through his organic farming. He very much believes that if he cares for his land with clean inputs and cares for the environment around him, then the farm will return with gifts to him and his family.

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You aren't the only one

Meet the farmers

Meet Marta

Meet Luo

Meet Vinicio

Meet Claudine Mukesharugo

Meet Jitendra

Our farmers are
behind every cup

And With Every Cup You're
Behind Our Farmers

You aren't the only one

Meet the farmers

Meet Marta

Meet Luo

Meet Vinicio

Meet Claudine Mukesharugo

Meet Jitendra

Our farmers arebehind every cup

And With Every Cup You'reBehind Our Farmers

Our farmers are
behind every cup

And With Every Cup You're
Behind Our Farmers