Juan Carlos Cuao Torres
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Farm:
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El Edén
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Country:
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Colombia |
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Region:
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Santa Marta, Magdalena |
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Altitude:
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1,500 MASL |
| Varietals: | Típica, Castillo and Cenicafe 1 |
Meet Juan Carlos Cuao Torres, a passionate coffee producer from El Edén, nestled in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. With his farm thriving at an altitude of 1,500 meters, Juan has been cultivating coffee for six fruitful years. His 5-hectare property, adorned with 14,000 trees, boasts three distinct varieties: Castillo, Cenicafe 1, and Típica.
Coffee has been the backbone of Juan's family, supporting their livelihood and allowing them to flourish. Besides coffee, they dabble in apiculture, selling delicious honey. With a cozy family of four residing on the farm, their coffee harvest employs 6 to 7 extra hands.
Juan's commitment to quality is evident in his soil practices, nurturing healthy seedlings and meticulously weeding the fields. He prioritizes water conservation, safeguarding springs and planting beneficial species. While lacking a forested area, he diligently avoids felling trees near the water source.
Over the past two years, Juan's coffee production has soared, not only in volume but also in quality. Despite challenges such as public order concerns and weather obstacles, he perseveres, ensuring their harvest remains intact.
Looking ahead, Juan envisions improving his processing facilities and expanding the cultivation area. His ultimate goal is to provide his daughter with a quality education while enjoying a fulfilling family life on their cherished farm.
Juan's contributions to the coffee industry extend beyond his farm. He actively engages with associations and collaborates with the Coffee Growers Committee, fostering growth, knowledge-sharing, and generating employment opportunities.
Coffee has transformed Juan's life, granting him personal growth, the means to support his family, and the joy of empowering others. Selling coffee as cherries has proven advantageous, minimizing waste, pollution, and processing efforts, all while embracing environmental consciousness.
In a snapshot, Juan Carlos Cuao Torres embodies the spirit of a dedicated coffee producer, nurturing his land, enriching his community, and crafting a future brimming with aromatic success.