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Team Elan's In-Country Reps
As part of Elan Organic Coffees commitment to
sourcing and delivering the highest quality coffees that are
produced in socially and environmentally responsible ways, Ron
Hoppenbrouwers and Rebecca Sanborn are Elan's In-country
Representatives for Central America, stationed in Guatemala.
 Ron
is originally from De Haag, in The Netherlands, and Rebecca is from
Los Angeles, California. Together they have over 27 years of
experience at origin; working with small artesian
suppliers/exporters, organizations and surrounded by coffee plants,
producers and drinkers. Elan's direct relationship with cooperatives
through Ron and Rebecca strengthens relationships while providing
professional development to small producers. In addition, as
In-country Reps, Ron and Rebecca support
producers, act as immediate liaisons and provide the San Diego based
office with up to date information on the organizations, local
markets and crops on which Elan's clients depend upon. Together they
have visited the majority of Guatemalan Cooperatives and wet and dry
mills, as well as participated in Rainforest Alliance, 4Cs, Utz
Kapeh, Organic Workshops, worked with in country certifiers,
pre-financers and attended national conferences. By living and
working with coffee farmers, Elan ensures a specific and consistent
product from Central American coffee trees to cup. Ron and Rebecca
love what they do because at origin, the world of coffee is always
an adventure and every bean really does count!
The Coffee
Lifeline Project
The Coffee Lifeline Project
blossomed when Peter Kettler of Holland Midwest read an article
entitled "Hard Times for Ethiopia's Coffee Growers." This article
stated that "Local coffee collectors appear to be taking advantage
of the growers' lack of knowledge," and as a result, "most coffee
farmers are not making enough from their basic crop to meet the most
basic cash needs of their families." Peter quickly discovered that
this problem is directly related to the fact that when the closing
prices of the various commodities markets are broadcast daily on the
Ethiopian national radio network, only two percent of the estimated
700,000 coffee farmers have access to a radio.
The Coffee Lifeline Project partners with Freeplay Foundation and
shares the same philosophy. That information, education and
communication are the keys to social or economic progress. It is the
first program to utilize self-powered radio technology to serve
coffee growers' needs. According to its founder, Peter
Kettler, "It uses simple technology to empower producers through
access to information and education, as opposed to being tied to a
revenue stream. It is a tool that empowers farmers by increasing
their capacity to shape their own future through education, and as a
result, it increases a producing region's chances of becoming truly
sustainable." The first Coffee Lifeline Project has taken root in
Rwanda. According to the Freeplay Foundation, "With sustained radio
access, coffee farmers no longer will be subject to market price
deception conveyed by 'kyotes.' Farmers will be able to learn the
most updated agricultural techniques to improve coffee
productivity." As one coffee farmer told Freeplay, "Now I can listen
to news all over the world. I can learn about my country and what is
going on in the administration."
The radios are distributed to groups of 10 to 20 people, therefore
creating several community groups that can "discuss issues and ideas
presented in various programs and decide best how to integrate a
plan of action." The cost of sponsoring a radio, including delivery
into a farmer's hands, is a mere $55.
"The specialty coffee industry can be proud of the many initiatives
that seek to improve the futures of our producing partners," says
Peter, "My hope is that the coffee community at large will help give
birth to this inaugural project."
TAKE A TOUR WITH ELAN TO COSTA RICA, INDIA OR COLOMBIA! CLICK
HERE! |
