| El Socorro y Anexos El Socorro farm is located in Palencia, municipality of Guatemala department, 50 kilometers away from Guatemala city. The farm used to be part of Hacienda San Guayaba, property of Antonio López Colom in 1905. After he died, it was inherited to the youngest son Julio Colom Gómez Carillo, who sold it. For many years it was owned by different people until 1968, when Dr. Mario de la Cerda and his wife Maria Colom de la Cerda bought it back to the family. In 1980, his son Juan de la Cerda Colom began to plant coffee. This is the fourth generation of owners. Juan de la Cerda and his son Juan Diego are now in charge to produce one of the best coffees of Guatemala and the world. Why are we confident about this? Our success is the result of a strict quality control through out the whole process, since the management of the plantation, the picking and the wet mill. The farm has an efficient ecological wet mill. It depulps coffee cherries in dry, it transports the coffee and its pulp mechanically and it reuses water in the process. Then, the water is treated with clean production techniques, before throwing it away. Since 2005, we have been working on tests to uniform the fermentation process and we have obtained satisfactory results. Drying of coffee is done in patios. The farm is certified by Rainforest Alliance and Coffee Practices. The total area of the farm is 700 Hectares, divided in the following activities: -
55 % is a natural reserve, which is the biggest in the area nearby. It is a natural habitat for many wild species of the region and migratory birds. Pine and oak are the primary trees of the reserve. Most of the animal and botanical species have been identified and documented. -
25 % is planted with coffee (about 126 Hectares). -
20 % is dedicated to other activities, like milk production, corn and vegetables. In 2007, a coffee lot of the farm was 1st place in the Cup of Excellence. With a score of 93.60 points, it was awarded with the prestigious Presidential Award. MICROCLIMATE CONDITIONS
Average temperature C: 22
Annual rainfall mm: 1300
Type of oil and predominant element: Loamy-Sand (Loamy: balance of clay, sand and limestone)
Relative humidity %: 85
Type of shade trees: Non traditional
Beginning of harvest: January End of harvest: April FARM PROFILE
Mills in the farm: Wet mill
Drying method: Sun
Annual production (69 K): 950
Temporary Employees: 80
Permanent Employees: 40
Certifications or awards: 2 auction awards 2007-2008, Rainforest Alliance, Coffee Practices
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