Honduras, Don Carlitos

We first met Don Carlitos on an origin trip to Honduras. Don Carlitos inherited his first plot of land from his father. He grows his coffee underneath trees that not only provide shade for the coffee, but also a habitat for birds. Importantly, Don Carlitos’ farm is home to a number of migratory bird species, whose impressive journeys can take them from as far north as Canada all the way to coffee farms in Central and South America.

With the help of APCAFI and Symposium & Sheard, Don Carlitos gained the Smithsonian Bird Friendly certification last year. This achievement highlights his ongoing commitment to protecting the ecosystem that surrounds his farm.

Don Carlitos has a son and two daughters. He is also a keen beekeeper, following in his father’s footsteps who has been keeping bees for over 40 years. Together, they produce approximately 300 bottles of honey per year. The beehives are located near the farm and his home, where the bees contribute to the pollination and flowering of the coffee, as well as generating extra income for the family.