Overview

Finca Santa Josefita is owned by Ernesto Ramón Lima, representing Lima y Socios. The farm is located in Ataco, Ahuachapán one of the most traditional coffee regions in El Salvador. The average altitude of 1,275 meters above sea level, ranging from 1,200 to 1,400 meters. Annual productions are around 650 60kg bags. The farm has mainly Bourbon, Pacamara, Pacas and Kenya varieties, some other varietals are being tested but without importance in the total area.

The property has been grown to coffee since 1940, expanding little by little over time; one part of the property has been devoted to keep the natural forest and wildlife reserve. Inside the farm it is not allowed hunting, to help preserve and propagate wild species. According to the farm supervisor, there’s a very big cat that has been seen near the farm, many call it “El tigre” or Tiger, and even if it’s almost impossible that it is a real “tiger”, they had found tracks of a very big feline, and they have been seeing it more and more over time. He says that it probably lives near one cave close to the property or inside the dense forest.

The farm has an average of 10 to 15 years old coffee trees and vast shade coverage, much of it given by native trees to the area. Coffee trees are managed under appreciative pruning and semi-stem, some areas had stump if really needed. The farm has many watersheds and one river, which is the beginning of the Copinula River that reaches the Pacific Ocean.

The lot participating in the COE event comes from “Tablón 8”, this one was selected because some special conditions, it was picked during 2 weeks and hand selection after the harvest was also performed to avoid any immature and green coffee on the lot. They employ 15 permanent workers and up to 150 people during harvest time. There are 4 families living inside the farm.

The lima family has been working very close for many years with the Cooperativa Cuzcachapa, having a positive impact because they keep close control of their farm’s coffee process.

Other Statistics:
Coffee varieties: Bourbon, Pacas, Pacamara, Kenya
Type of Shade: Pepeto, inga, copalchí, níspero, gravileo, aguacate, naranjos, etc.
Average Annual Rainfall: 2,500 mm
Average Temperature: 18º C
Type of Soil: Clay loam
Annual Production: (60kg) 750 bags
Mill and company where lot was process: Cooperativa La Cuzcachapa
Other land: Natural forest
Fauna: Agouti, pocket gopher, squirrels, opossums, deer, snakes, rabbits, orioles, butterflies and spiders, etc.

GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 13° 50’ 04.8’’
Longitude: W 89° 51’ 37.9’’