“The tortoise can talk more about the road than the hare.”
Khalil Gilbran
November has persistent rains, this month began with rains, after the grainy but inclement suns of last month, the November rains hasten the maturity of the grain. People are already rushing around looking for workers to collect the coffee beans that will bring a little joy to the coffee growers.
Many people, including men from the nearest populated centers, go into the mountains for weeks on end, collecting coffee from farm to farm, until the harvest is finished they return to their homes of origin. Every year history repeats itself and there are workers who have been going religiously to harvest grain for many years. All of these coffee plantations are known even in the most remote and distant hamlets.
From early on the workers begin to offer their services for this task and many are already known throughout these mountains.
There are those who hire female labor, because women tend to mistreat the coffee plants less, their subtle hands caress the coffee plants and this increases the following year’s harvest; So, some coffee plantations are decorated with women during the harvest season. Dad said that this was the tastiest and most aromatic coffee.
Conchale buddy! If it were not for how traumatic it is for the coffee farmer to sell his harvest at prices that sometimes do not compensate for the expenses, if it were not for that repetitive and miserable reality that hits our people, we would be much happier in these coffee fields. Ricardo announces that he has already had to sell some grains to pay workers. Despite all the disappointments of life, the joy that visits us in these times overcomes and overcomes any difficulty.
People are already beginning to lower their bags of product to pay the debt accumulated during the year. The women are seen going down to the town, happy with their suitcases of coffee that they turn into food and the occasional necessary piece of clothing, or perhaps some school supplies for the boys. Nohemí managed to buy a small washing machine that will be very useful. Ramona made a small cooler to preserve food.
This is how life goes on in these coffee plantations, the eagerly awaited harvest, for some, sometimes does not compensate for the work put into caring for these coffee plantations. If only people could organize themselves, locally, in their homestead, among their friends and family, perhaps they would get a better deal when it came to selling their harvest.
Diversifying is not only incorporating other agricultural items into production, including small animals, beekeeping, etc. Some may give their harvest a different treatment, they could sell it processed, exploring possible markets to place the product. With a well-supported and harmonious plan (this must be supported by the State), we can convert many of our spaces into tourist attractions, some live in environments that enjoy optimal conditions for this economic activity.
Everything in life requires organization, and this only occurs when people understand that they must join forces to work in a better way. We must find the best way to add value to our grain to diversify and improve our economic activity.
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#conuco #COFFEE #RAINS #NOVEMBER #Toribio #Azuaje
**Interview with Ricardo Silva, Manager of Finca El Suspiro**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Ricardo. As a second-generation coffee grower, can you share what this harvest season means for you and your community?
**Ricardo Silva:** Thank you for having me. The harvest season is both a time of hard work and anticipation. November brings rains that hasten the maturity of the coffee beans, which is crucial for our harvest. People from nearby towns come to help collect the beans. It’s a tradition that has been passed down for generations, creating a sense of community among us.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that many workers travel to the mountains for weeks at a time. Can you tell us more about the hiring process and the preference for female laborers?
**Ricardo Silva:** Yes, indeed. Many workers offer their services early in the season, and we often rely on seasoned harvesters who know the land well. We tend to hire women because their gentle touch is more beneficial for the coffee plants. As my father used to say, this care leads to a tastier and more aromatic coffee.
**Interviewer:** Despite the joy of the harvest, you also mentioned the struggles coffee farmers face. Can you elaborate on that?
**Ricardo Silva:** It’s true. While we celebrate the season, the reality is often harsh. Selling our harvest sometimes doesn’t cover our expenses, and it’s a difficult cycle that many farmers endure. I’ve had to sell some of my coffee just to pay workers, and it’s disheartening. Yet, amidst these challenges, there’s an undeniable joy that unites us during the harvest.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like community support plays a significant role in your work. How do you find resilience in these tough times?
**Ricardo Silva:** Absolutely. The excitement of the harvest brings hope. We see workers descending from the mountains with bags of coffee, and that joy in their faces transforms into nourishment for their families. It’s this connection to our land and each other that drives us to keep going, no matter the hurdles.
**Interviewer:** Last question, Ricardo. If you had a message for consumers of your coffee, what would it be?
**Ricardo Silva:** I would urge them to appreciate the journey of their coffee. Every cup holds stories of hard work and dedication from the farmers, like us, who pour our hearts into cultivating the land. When purchasing coffee, think about the people behind the scenes—their struggles and triumphs. That connection makes every sip much more meaningful.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ricardo, for sharing your insights. We wish you and Finca El Suspiro a fruitful harvest season ahead.
**Ricardo Silva:** Thank you! Your support means a lot to us and the entire community.