| "The Emerald Land"
In 1888, Rafael Alvarez La Linde, traveled from Manizales, Colombia to El
Salvador, in the company of his wife Julia Angel Macias and their children.
In 1906, he began to run farms in Santa Ana and purchased a farm located
in the heart of the Santa Ana Volcano, naming it Santa Julia, after his
wife. This all occurred during a coffee crisis, but Rafael believed in coffee.
Since that time, the farm has been consistently taken
care of, and his love for his land and workers has been passed on to his
children and grandchildren, who all contribute to the development of this
beautiful farm. This was one of the first farms Rafael introduced planting
Izote, for erosion control, in certain areas on the volcano so coffee could
be planted.
A Partnership called Elena Pérez de Álvarez was formed,
where the farm was divided up, and Fernando Alvarez Pérez inherited Santa
Julia. When Fernando passed on, another partnership was formed called Haydee
de Álvarez e hijos.
The Santa Julia farm is located in the heart of the Santa
Ana Volcano, in Cantón Palo de Campana and Calzontes Arriba. Throughout
the year, thirty workers consisting of both men and women are employed on
a full-time basis, and during the harvest there are around two hundred people
employed.
There are nine new houses where families live throughout
different areas of the farm. These are spacious homes with running water
and bathrooms. The Alvarez family sponsors a soccer team and an Alcoholics
Anonymous group. Health care is provided for workers. The farm altitude
ranges from 1200 to 1500 meters above see level and the average temperature
is 20º C.
Other Characteristics:
Average Age of trees: 30 years
Density: 4,200/ha
Agricultural Practices: Conventional
Farm Altitude: 1,400 Meters (4,593 feet) above sea level
Average Annual Rainfall: 2,000mm
Average Temperature: 20ºC
Month(s) of Flowering: April - May
Number of Flowerings: 3
Type of Soil: Sandy loam
Type of Shade: Pepeto Peludo, Avocado, Pink apple tree, among others
Annual Production: 2,700 bags (60kg)
Mill and company where lot was process: Beneficio Coex, S.A. de C.V.
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