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Overview

Fazenda Santa Helena is located at an average altitude of 1,200m (3,900ft) in the mountainous region of Carmo de Minas, in the state of Minas Gerais. Acquired by the Carneiro family, the farm has had a tradition of growing coffee for decades. Jacques Pereira Carneiro manages the estate with entrepreneurial vision and focus on quality, which results in coffees of the highest quality. Jacques Carneiro started to work at Fazenda Santa Helena at the age of 25, together with his father Helcio Carneiro Pinto and his uncle Glaucio Carneiro Pinto, . Jacques belongs to the fourth generation of coffee growers in a family that has devoted itself exclusively to coffee for more than 100 years. While studying business administration, far away from home, Jacques always found ways to participate in the family’s coffeerelated projects. Helcio, Glaucio, and Jacques bought Fazenda Santa Helena in 1999 with the specific intention of producing specialty coffees. They chose this property in particular because of its ideal natural conditions – such as rainfall, sunlight, soil, and altitude - for the production of specialty coffees . The Coffees Since the farm was acquired, Jacques has focused on the production of specialty coffees. Special care is taken, starting with the planting of the seedlings. Areas facing south or southwest are avoided because the cherries ripen more slowly and conditions are more propitious for the development of diseases. Harvesting, which takes place between May and October, is done 100% by hand and involves in three selective passes. Immediately afterwards the coffee is taken to a wet processing mill on the site. The natural coffee and the pulped cherries are pre-dried on a 7,000 square-meter (75,350 square-foot) patio and dried in mechanical dryers. All coffee lots are traceable and undergo rigorous quality control in order to achieve exceptional specialty coffees. The estate´s natural coffee is full-bodied, sweet, with a somewhat citric tang, a strong aroma, and a complex fruity and floral flavor. The pulped natural coffee has a perfectly balanced cup with good body and a sweet, pleasant taste. In 2002, realizing Jacques’ dream of producing high quality coffees, Fazenda Santa Helena was awarded the second place in the Brazilian Cup of Excellence Competition and won the Gold Cup of Excellence Special Award 2002. Environmental Protection and Social Responsibility the cherries ripen more slowly The entire management of the property is geared to maintaining a sustainable system for the production of specialty coffees, benefiting both the employees and the environment. In terms of social responsibility, the farm has a policy of paying its employees a wage that is above average for the region. In addition, when needed, the employees have access to personal protection equipment that they can use while they are working. Five families live on the property. They have access to a recreation area (soccer field). There is free transportation to schools, and an agent from the Family Health Program (PSF) visits the property once a week. Fazenda Santa Helena has always been committed to preserving the environment. A 50-hectare area of native forest and 10 hectares of areas near mountain springs are preserved intact. Jacques’ dream continues to live on in the production of extremely fine coffees. Every season brings surprises as more is learned about planting and processing – new ideas are born to inspire the dream. Today the farm is prepared to consistently offer fine specialty coffees to the market.