85.48

Overview

Gloria Mercedes Rodriguez is the actual owner of Nejapa and San Jose coffee farms, both located on the Apaneca – Ilamatepec mountain range. Nejapa fam was inherited by Gloria’s father, Jose Maria Rodriguez Herrera in the 50’s, by that time the property was only devoted to cattle for milking purposes, and it was Jose Maria who started growing coffee of the Bourbón variety, and little by little he noticed coffee was extremely productive on that area. This farm has 18.2 hectares of which 8.4 hectares are grown to coffee at 1,450 meters above sea level. There are 7 hectares reforested with cedar trees of approximately 9 years old. The farm also has a variety of shade trees, which helps maintain and preserve both the soil conditions and a wide variety of birds and small mammals that can be seen even in that region. This farm is very close to the Laguna de Las Ninfas (Nymphs Lagoon) with a spectacular sight over the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range, including the impressive Itzalco volcano, and even the Pacific Ocean, and Port of Acajutla. Every year, Gloria establishes nurseries with selected and certified seeds, giving special care to it and keeping her farm in good shape, balancing production and securing future crops. For four generations Finca San Jose has embodied the force, faith and hope of a family of coffee producers. In 1815 Jose Maria Rodriguez and Josefina Rodriguez planted the first coffee trees with their own hands. Through the generations, the farm has passed through the hands of many committed farmers, beginning with Israel Rodriguez who, followed by Jose Maria Rodriguez cared for the farm until the most recent owner, Gloria Mercedes, took over. Ever the strong woman, Gloria has overcome gender barriers in an industry that has historically been the province of men and continues to personally supervise the process of cultivation. Finca San Jose ranked alone last year on 10th place at this same event. From all the work done 7 families depend economically on these farms. Ten of its members work throughout the year, during picking season Gloria hires approximately 60 to 75 people from the community. Gloria is confident of the good coffee quality, because it was cultivated under the conditions and requirements that meet specialty coffee standards such as altitude (1475 - 1520 meters above sea level), 100% Bourbón, picked fully ripe, sandy loam soils, rich in organic matter, among others. In addition to this, pickers were selected from staff with experience and passion that also understands requirements to obtain high quality coffee. The whole process is supervised directly by Gloria. Her success is dedicated to the memory of her father and grandfather, Jose Maria Rodriguez, who his entire life struggled, trusted, and worked with his own hands on these lands, and taught her to love hard work and coffee growing culture.

Additional Information

Coffee varieties: Bourbón
Type of Shade: Ingas: pepeto, cuje, and frutal trees, etc.
Average Annual Rainfall: 3,000 mm
Average Temperature: 17º C
Type of Soil: sandy loam
Annual Production: (60kg) 268 bags
Mill and company where lot was process: El Molino, JASAL S.A. de C.V.
Other crops: Mango, Orange and avocado trees
Fauna: Taltuza, chiltota, sparrows, squirrel, armadillos, etc.

GPS Coordinates:

Nejapa Latitude: 13º 52’ 18.1” N
Longitude: 89º 47’ 39.6” W San Jose
Latitude: N 13º 52’ 52.3’’
Longitude: W 89º 48’ 24.5’’