Mr. Lopez has worked in the coffee business the last 28 years developing wide experience in coffee farming processes, planning, development and implementing eco-friendly coffee farms. His experience also encompasses direct farm personnel management, increasing farm utilization and profitability, inventory and warehouse controls, product quality control, milling and roasting processes.

Emeterio (“Mr. Em”) has been with us since the first time our founders visited Belize to “kick the trees”. Mr. Em has also worked in the cacao Industry and on several development projects in Toledo that started in 1999. Mr. Em hails from Na Luum Ca village, a small village with a little over 100 residents just 5 minutes from San Jose Village, the cacao growing capital of Toledo.  Along with his 5 team members, they were responsible for land preparation, planting, and now daily maintenance of our 50-acre farm. At 63 years of age, Mr. Em also cultivates his own 48-acre of land.

Living in San Antonio Village for all of his 44 years, Antonio is an avid farmer cultivating forty acres of family land which comprises cacao, corn, and livestock.  Antonio joined us in 2017 and has taken a lead role in managing our Crique Jute Farm. He lives in the village of San Antonio, 3 miles south of our farm and is always within reach if needed.  When he is not at our Peini farm looking after the team, pruning and caring for our trees, he, his wife, and 3 children cultivate their own farm.

Mr. Evaristo Cowo is a very hardworking leader, farmer, and father of 6. Baris, as he is commonly referred to in his village, San Antonio, has been cultivating 16 acres of cacao since 1990, 2 of which include a blend of approximately 75% criollo trees.  Its production makes up a combined 4,000 lbs (fermented and dried) produced annually.  

Baris’ cacao farm is located north of San Antonio Village, 40 minutes walking distance from his home.  Cultivated on his 30-acre farmland are various root crops, herbs, fruit, and other tree crops which he harvests and sells at the Punta Gorda Town market.  

Besides farming, Baris also takes the time to teach his 2 younger sons the art of subsistence farming by taking them along on weekends to the farm or preparing preaching lessons for his 30 member church group which he leads.  

While he is away at the farm or at the market selling his produce Mrs. Pantaleona Cowo, Baris’ wife, takes care of the livestock and ornamental herbs around the home to help supplement their diet and generate additional income.