Overview

The São Francisco farm has a great tradition and was bought in 1937 by the current owner’s grandfather, Mr. Octaviano Pinto Lopes Ribeiro, who is kept in the memory of his family. The patriarch of the family, renowned and experienced manager in the coffee exportation area in the 30s and 40s acquired prestige in the business places where he worked for his great entrepreneurial perspectives and his enterprising spirit, which become possible the recognition of the peculiar qualities coffee plantations in Minas, through the company “Pinto Lopes e CIA Ltda”. Since that time, he could identify and appreciate the potential of the small region of Carmo de Minas, for the plantation of high quality coffee that are produced and recognized nowadays. In 1974, the young Otaviano leaves his hometown (Rio de Janeiro), going to Carmo de Minas, where he takes the management of his family’s property. Soon, the young economist, with his new task on the farm, chooses a dynamic and professional management of his farm, determining, among other things, the sudden renew of the existent coffee plantations and the cultivation of new varieties, which were more adequate and adapted to the region. Such plantations, which are cultivated in a variable altitude between 2952 and 4265 feet, are found on a peculiar soil in the region, considered the ideal environment for them. And this is not only for the quality of its lands, the mild climate all the year, definite seasons and well distributed rain precipitation, but also for the beauty of the place, where the activity is developed in tune with the nature. The respect and care about the environment has been part of the rules of the property exploration, and the ecological awareness of the owners and their family, besides the employees that work on the farm, kept preserved the exuberant flora and fauna of the place, a typical region of “Serra da Mantiqueira”. It is enough to say that from the generous water spring is born the clean and pure water that supplies the city Carmo de Minas. For the success of its business, Granja São Francisco Farm has currently 12 direct workers, who live on the own farm with their family and are provided with health care and education. In the harvest time, the search for temporary labor hand for the work, which is done by hand, guarantees a job and income to other workers that come form the city. In 2007, the Granja São Francisco reached the 3rd position in the category “Natural Coffees” in the 4th Contest of Quality of Minas Gerais Coffee, promoted by EMATER – MG.

Processing system of the coffee beans

The coffee was harvested by hand among the months of June and July 2008, over a cloth, avoiding the contact with the soil. The drying was started on the patio and finished in a rotative dryer. Still in pergaminos, it was taken to the wood storehouses to rest for an average period of 60 days, until it could be processed. The property structure of the coffee process has machines like a cleaner and a pulped natural coffee, cemented patios of 3000m2, three mechanical dryers, wood storehouses for the coffee rest and processing machines.

Concern on the quality

The coffee producer Mr. Otaviano Ribeiro Ceglia, worried about the quality of the coffee produced, which can increase the value of final product, but without taking into consideration the plantations productivity, has currently the technological and agronomical support of COCARIVE, in a partnership with EMATER – MG. The process of certification of “Granja São Francisco” farm is in progress, whose rules are already being followed.