Smooth Operator

Tucked between towering volcanoes and misty mountains, the Shejuyú Atitlán Agricultural and Organic Producers Association (AAPOSA) is home to 150 Tzutujil farmers who cultivate some of the finest coffee in the region. But their work is more than just farming—it’s a deep-rooted way of life, intertwined with the rhythms of nature and the traditions of their ancestors.

Before the sun has fully risen, the farmers set out, winding along narrow mountain trails that lead to their coffee fields. By 6:30 AM, they are already at work, surrounded by the crisp morning air and the distant calls of tropical birds. Depending on the season, they might be pruning coffee trees, applying organic rust control made from mountain microorganisms, or feeding the soil with nutrient-rich fertilizers crafted from coffee pulp. Every step is done with care, ensuring the land remains as fertile and alive as the generations before them left it.

Even after the last coffee cherry is harvested, their connection to the land doesn’t end. Their farms sit within a breathtaking biological reserve, where towering trees shelter rare birds and elusive mammals. Among the coffee plants, avocado trees stretch their branches toward the sky, offering shade and balance to the ecosystem. This harmony between farming and nature isn’t just a practice—it’s a legacy, passed down through time, ensuring that both the land and the people who tend it continue to thrive.