Fazenda Mariano is located on the São Domingos Mountain Range hillsides, and has been a property of the Barbosa Family for four generations. Located 17 km from the Municipality of Poços de Caldas (South Minas Gerais), it has a mild climate, with 18º C average temperature, and mountainous topography.

“Mountainous Coffee Growing” is the main activity developed in the farm, with modern, ecologic and socially correct practices. Special care with the environment begins from recycling the water used in the coffee washing process and includes the construction of basins to contain the water of the whole property, aiming at harmony between man and nature. The employees receive all the owner’s attention, and are registered according to Brazilian employment and labor laws, with all their employment and labor rights. Their children go to schools located in the rural zone and in the urban zone of Poços de Caldas, and have free transportation from the houses where they live in the Farm to the place where they study.

In the property they also raise livestock (of the Nelore and Brangus breeds) and pigs, and plant corn.

Coffee processing system

When approximately 70% of their coffee plantation beans are ripe (cherry beans), the beans are picked manually by the employees of the farm. On that same day, the coffee beans are washed, pulped, and spread in thin layers on a terrace.

After approximately two days on the terrace, the beans are placed in an indirect heat rotary drier. The drier is on during the day, always taking utmost care for the temperature of the beans not to go beyond 40º C. In the evenings, the drier is turned off for the coffee to rest inside it. This process takes approximately three days and at the end, the coffee beans are transferred to bins, waiting for the moment in which they will be processed.

Concern with quality

The owner, together with his two sons – an Agronomist and an Agricultural Technician - are involved in the sustainable development of the property, and permanently applying modern and ecologically correct measures, always aiming at improving coffee quality.

The Farm receives the visit of independent consultants from time to time, and is in a state of constant evolution. In the beginning of 2006 a coffee bean washing and processing center was built, investment that enabled the production of “Specialty Coffees”.

Manoel Barbosa Junqueira is a member of the Associação Comercial, Industrial e Agropecuária de Poços de Caldas [Trade, Industry, Agriculture & Livestock Association of Poços de Caldas], of CAFEPOÇOS and of COOXUPÉ.