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Overview

Weed Control: It’s done by hand, using machete. Disease and Pest Control: Applied only if necessary. Varieties: yellow catuai and red catimor Tissue and Shading: Applies pruning for selective and sanitary purposes and regulates 40% shade. Harvesting: Harvesting begins in January and ends on April. All the family helps during these months. Wet- Milling: Pulping with a motored pulping machine, mechanical wash and classification canals. Commercialization: Its done by a benefit in Santa Rosa. He has 3 offspring, one of his sons only went to grade school, his youngest is also Bachelor in Agronomy and his daughter has a university degree. His farm is located in San Juan, Intibuca were the western highlands of Honduras lie between Gracias and La Esperanza. San Juan is located in the department of Intibuca, was founded in 1747 by the Spanish. San Juan lies in the center of the Lenca Trail which runs from Santa Rosa de Copan to Marcala, La Paz. There are still many Lenca groups in the areas surrounding the village center. There is an old Catholic church built by the Spanish in the towns center next to a massive Ceibo tree. The primary source of income for community members comes from the numerous coffee farms that can be found throughout the region. The natural beauty and climate of the area is unparalleled in Honduras . The Opalaca Biological Reserve looms in the background and numerous creeks flow through the valley. Due to the attractions in the area, a community group of leaders have established the first Rural Tourism Cooperative in the country, offering various packages for tourists wanting to see what they call the Real Honduras . This is a rural, picturesque community with not only natural attractions such as waterfalls, cloud forests, and canyons but also unique because of the community spirit and active participation of local leaders trying to promote eco-tourism. Guided tours are offered on horseback and community members have also been trained to give coffee roasting demonstrations, local artisan workshops, and sugar cane production demonstrations.