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Overview

Da Pedra Farm belongs to the family of Mrs. Anacley Pereira Bustamante Abreu since 1930. During many years the management of the property was done by the producer’s grandfather, Mr. Sebastiao Alves Pereira, who raised their children to go on with the farm work. After that, her father carried on with his grandfather’s work. The producer Mrs. Anacley became a helper of her father in the coffee crops, and he was the pioneer to Pulped coffee in the region and also the first to be awarded in a contest of quality. His farm was visited by many local producers, to whom he showed this technology. She is also a partner of her father in the milk production, since she graduated as a veterinary. Da Pedra Farm is located in the South of Minas, in a mountainous region, in the borders of “Serra da Mantiqueira”. The region has fertile soils and wide areas of forest reservation. The uneven topography makes the management of the plantations difficult, but the work is worthy due to the soil of high chemical, biological and structural quality and to the mild climate, with regular rains, which makes favorable the quality of the coffee and the flavor of the beans produced. During all the years dedicated to the work on the farm, the family had all the concern and care about the conservation of the native wood and water springs. This explains why the farm has a great abundance of water and a big wild fauna. “The concern on the environment is always present in our work and also the beauty of the farm landscapes is an attractive to the region. That is why the farm receives so many visits”, states Mrs. Anacley. The work system in the property employs up to 11 families and each one has a house with all the necessary infrastructure. These families receive milk, coffee and some proper land for their own plantation of subsistence, like rice, maize, beans, etc., without any cost. The farm also has a big hall, where a team of the PSF – Health Family Program (a Brazilian federal program) assists the workers with health care regularly. Besides, there is a soccer field, a place for events and parties and a beautiful church. Moreover, we have also workers that are partners in the coffee production. Processing system of the coffee beans The topography is very uneven not allowing any mechanization in the harvest. Then, this process is done by hand. The harvested coffee is taken right after to the area of processing. After the reception of the coffee at the washed and pulped equipments, the coffee beans are separated in two groups: the coffee berry and the green coffee. Then the coffee is spread on a cemented patio, which is always very clean. The coffee is only raked in lines on the next day in the afternoon. Every day of this period the coffee is raked properly, making the lines. When it reaches 11,5% of humidity, the coffee is kept in wood storehouses that are always supervised so that it never presents some coffee beans from other previous lots. After 30 days of rest, the coffee is cleaned in proper machines and then packed and kept in a dry place. Concern on the quality The producers of this farm always had the interest and concern on producing coffee of quality. That is why the owners always attend meetings and congresses, and visit properties that have technologies for the quality improvement. As associates of COCARIVE, we also have all the technical support of this organization. Regarding to the Contest of Quality Coffees of Brazil, the farmer states: “In a hard time for the coffee production, it is a great satisfaction to have our coffee selected among the best coffees of Brazil. Actually, our coffee has already got the 2nd position in this contest, in 2001, and also the 4th position in the Illy Contest, in 2003; besides the 1st place in the Coffee Contest of COCARIVE, in the category Pulped Natural, in 2002. We have been always receiving good positions among the finalists in most of the contests.”