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Fazenda Santa Mariana is one of the properties that make up a familial society, of a mother and her four children, where award-winning coffee of the highest quality is grown. With the aggregation of land, coffee-growing areas were implemented, there being a common area on Rancho São Benedito used for processing the beans, diminishing the consumption of water and energy, and thus preserving natural resources and making the process more sustainable. The certified seedlings were planted on contour lines, in order to preserve the soil.

These farms are administered by Márcio Heleno de Carvalho Junqueira, guided by the experience of the matriarch, Mariana de Carvalho Junqueira, and also relying upon the technical experience of the agronomists from Fundação Procafé, EMATER, and from COCARIVE in administering the crops. In addition to coffee-growing activities, the property also breeds Mangalarga Marchador horses.

The farm has 20 duly registered workers, a number that is multiplied at harvest time. The property borders the city’s roads, where its workers have their own houses, receive medical assistance, enjoy a leisure area and have access to public education. They all use personal safety equipment when necessary.

Coffee processing system:

The search for quality begins with the selection of seedlings and varieties. Investing in the quality of its production, Rancho São Benedito has a washer, pulper, concrete drying patios and suspended patios in addition to a vertical dryer for natural coffee, and a rotating dryer and specific rest boxes for pulped natural coffee.

The harvested coffee is transported to the processing center where it is washed and pulped. Next, the beans are taken to the patios and suspended patios, drying being done in the sun. After reaching the ideal humidity, they are taken to appropriate rest boxes where they remain resting for a few days until being processed and bagged for storage at Cocarive, which is responsible for commercialization.

Concern about quality:

As a philosophy, the owners appreciate the socioenvironmental responsibility, and with personal dedication seek excellence in production. As a result, the coffees have been exported to several countries, also achieving the following awards:

* BSCA – finalist of the “ Cup of Excellence” contest, in the 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 editions, placing 2nd in the 1st Late Harvest.