Mid West Producer Tour Report

by Melanie Gagne

The producers’ delegation was composed of Carlos Reynoso (Manos Campesinas, Guatemala), Jose Perez Vazquez (Maya Vinic, Mexico), Policarpio Ali Cruz (Fecafeb, Bolivia), Wilman Sotelo (Fondo Paez, Colombia) and Elmer Pena Silva (Cenfrocafe, Peru). Wilman returned to Colombia after a few days in Minneapolis, but the remainder stayed until May 18^th.

The tour started at Peace Coffee in Minneapolis on May 6th, where the producers visited met with staff and customers. They also did store demonstrations at various grocery stores and hosted three panel discussions on a wide variety of topics such as each farmers background in coffee farming, this year’s harvest conditions, the future of Fair Trade and work methods that could help to promote high quality organic and Fair Trade coffee.

Carlos Reynoso from Manos Campesinas (Guatemala) thought it was very interesting to visit all three roaster’s offices and operations, and to see the actual result of their business and commercial relationships. His objective before starting the tour was to know the consumer’s opinion of different products and to compare the price and quality of different coffee products in the United States. Carlos feels he now has a better understanding of Fair Trade and commercial issues in northern countries. He also realized that American roasters and farmers also have to face many difficulties that are linked to production and the market. During his conferences and meetings, Carlos was surprised by consumer’s strong show of solidarity, attention and interest towards his personal experience in Fair Trade. He found that Americans were really concerned with the quality of the products they buy, and were often looking for organic or Fair Trade certified products. 

Denise Semanchin from Kickapoo received the producers’ delegation for a long weekend in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Since the guys really wanted to do activities that went beyond just cupping coffee, they went to visit family farms in the region and had the opportunity to talk about local Fair Trade issues. At    Featherstone Farms, the producers had the opportunity to talk about issues that they could relate to with North American farmers. Last year, a huge flood destroyed the majority of Featherstone’s crop, and the farm is now trying to relocate.  This and other issues brought to light the fact that farmers around the world are subject to many of the same uncontrollable events. The producers also enjoyed hanging out with the Mexican workers who have been hired for the harvest season. At Harmony Valley Farm, the producers learned more about Kickapoo’s involvement in organic farming, Fair Trade and sustainability, which are all very popular issues in the region as well. The producers also had the opportunity to visit Organic Valley’s main headquarters, which proved of interest as well.

At Kickapoo, each producer gave a presentation on their coop in front of approximately 50 people who had very little incoming knowledge about how coffee is processed and roasted. They asked a lot of questions and learned about what the realities are for coffee farmers in the south. For World Fair Trade Day, the delegation participated in the record breaking world's largest Fair Trade coffee break, organized by the Fair Trade Resource Network. Some 70 people participated on a sleepy Saturday afternoon. Overall, Denise Semanchin from Kickapoo thought this was a really positive, interesting experience. All of these producers had been to the states before, but it had always been for a conference or in a major city.  They had never seen the countryside. “It was really interesting for them to just drive by the never ending fields of monoculture of corn, and then drive into these little inlets of organic farming, and meet small scale farmers that are dealing with some of the same issues that they face, just at a different scale, or in a different context. But at the root of it, they are very similar struggles, ” she noted.

The producer tour ended with Just Coffee in Madison, Wisconsin. They visited Drumlin Farm, a member of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) project, that also doubles as a community garden. Many Latin American families share plots with native Wisconsinites there. The producers found the visit of real interest—it was the first time that they had seen a project of that nature, where Americans and Latinos were working together, developing a true rapport and strong friendships. A big reception at Just Coffee, with live music, a potluck and an open forum gave the opportunity to each of the producers to talk about their cooperative and share their experiences working in Fair Trade. . “It was really successful.  It was the best event we’ve ever had with growers,” says Matt Early of Just Coffee. “There was none of the segregation, or awkwardness, you often see when there is a language barrier.  People were really mixing it up, it was neat.” The question and answer period proved very insightful, and led to a thought-provoking discussion about the direction Fair Trade is headed in, what it claims, and what we actually want it to look like.

The producers then had an entire day of activities with Family Farm Defenders, an organization that aims to empower U.S. farmers to stand up for social and economic justice.  They boarded a caravan that brought them to visit half a dozen farms including a dairy farm, a cattle farm, and even a farm run by an Amish community.  The producers were really blown away by the day, as it provided an opportunity to learn more about the realities and challenges that farmers face in the North, and have honest face to face discussions.

After eating lunch at the Deli Bean, a cafe that sells Just Coffee’s coffee, the producers headed back on a bus straight to Minneapolis, where they then took a plane home.

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