Bird Mountain, so named centuries ago because millions of birds migrate from northern nesting grounds over this mountain. Mariano and Andreas, two growers from Bird Mountain Co-operative met with us. Shade-grown coffee, as opposed to plantation coffee, is grown under trees, thus protecting the forest. Organic certification comes after a seven-year transition period and costs about a thousand dollars US per year. Not only the coffee but all the other gardens on the farms have to be kept chemical and pesticide free.
Homemade compost provides nutrients and humus for the soil.
The growers get a guaranteed reasonable price of 70 pesos per kilograarm for their coffee beans. Mariano and Andreas commented that organic production has resulted in better quality beans from healthier plants. Labor requirements have increased, but chemical costs have disappeared completely. The increased use of local labour has kept more people at work and more money in the community. The market for the coffee has expanded dramatically because there is a growing demand worldwide for their ecologically friendly organically-grown shade coffee.