Power in Action
The Womens Power Organic in Colombia produces incredible coffee and work together to create a better future for their community. They are one of a growing number of co-operatives led and run by women at origin.
Thanks to Sucafina Specialty for the information on this awesome initiative.
Many of the women who are members of Asociación de Mujeres Cafetera Plan Mil are single mothers and arrived in the Serranía del Perijá subregion as refugees displaced by violence. Today, thanks to the association and its partners, they are specialty coffee growers utilizing advanced agricultural and processing techniques to produce this excellent coffee.The Asociación de Mujeres Cafetera Plan Mil was created in 1998. The partnership was geared towards replacing illegal crops like coca (used to produce cocaine).
These same women co-own or own their own farms, where they grow specialty coffee. Many have even succeeded in establishing direct relationships with artisan roasters from around the world. Together, they have worked to secure better quality processing equipment, received training in entrepreneurship and in organic production practices and certification. In addition to growing and selling specialty coffee, the women of the cooperative also produce and market blackberries, plantains, bananas, pumpkins, cassava, beans, corn and yams to help supplement their income from coffee production.
