Sowing the Seeds of Change
In five years, Finca San Francisco Pie de la Cuesta's Herbet Gossmann has seen the coffee farm he manages -- located in the Quetzaltenango department of Guatemala -- undergo dramatic changes. Among the most important developments: it has earned Rainforest Alliance certification, its workers have been educated on the importance of environmental stewardship and 100,000 native trees have been planted on its grounds. Here, Gossmann reflects on the challenges and benefits of earning Rainforest Alliance certification...
Your farm became Rainforest Alliance Certified™ in January of 2009. What was the most difficult part of your journey toward certification?
Employee education. Although becoming certified was beneficial for everyone on the farm, workers needed to be taught about environmental, social and economic responsibility. That posed a major challenge.
You've also invested in providing educational opportunities to the children of farm workers.
Yes, we currently have 34 children attending a school on the farm, which has two full-time teachers. All classroom curriculum meets Guatemala's national standards for learning, and students participate in a physical education program. We have four donated computers on site, which give our students an opportunity to learn computer skills that will better equip them for work opportunities.
Do workers have access to healthcare on the farm?
Thanks to an intern program operated with the University of Guatemala, [our 350 full time and 1250 seasonal] employees have access to free, onsite healthcare funded jointly by the farm and the university. We also have medical equipment available on the farm, generously donated by the University of Guatemala.
What's your overall impression of Rainforest Alliance certification and its benefits?
The benefits have been overwhelming. Here on the farm, I see happier, more satisfied employees with an improved understanding of sustainability and a better quality of life. Overall cleanliness has dramatically improved. The farm is now free of litter, since we recycle and have a waste management system in place. There have been increased sightings of wildlife as the farm has greater forest cover, bringing in more birds and mammals. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, this year we have not had any erosion issues -- in the past, a major problem for the coffee plants, worker housing and the farm's bottom line (due to costs associated with repairing damage from erosion).
You've demonstrated an admirable commitment to sustainability. How do you hope your commitment impacts your community?
I would like to spread social and environmental responsibility throughout the whole community, leading by example, and have people learn to respect all of the world's natural resources. Sustainability is possible and the Rainforest Alliance has helped us to achieve it on our farm.