About Gustavo Boltjes Rising of Mexico

The Finca Las Nieves farm was founded in 1880, but due to a decline in global coffee prices through the 20th century, it was left abandoned for decades, like many other coffee farms in the remote region. In 2006 they established their cooperative and started to rebuild with organic farming techniques and equitable employment practices. Their focus has been on the regeneration of the historic coffee region while exploring ancestral and innovative, organic agroforestry practices and farming techniques that nurture the crops and land, while also protecting the water and unique flora and fauna of one of the most bio-diverse areas of the planet.

The farm has various pure sources of mountain spring water and they share this water with neighbors, taking the role as ‘custodians of water’ very seriously. The coop believes strongly in creating decent jobs at competitive wages, and works hard to ensure all members of the cooperative are valued and respected. They are advocates for sharing knowledge, experience and best practices with neighbors, and know that it is in the whole community’s best interest to help raise mutual consciousness about best farming practices and increasing coffee quality.