Coffee Brothers
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Coffee with a Cause
Growers First Coffee is a unique and innovative coffee program that is dedicated to improving the lives of coffee farmers and their communities. The program is built on the principle of "Growers First," which means that the farmers who produce the coffee are given priority in the supply chain and are paid a fair price for their beans. This helps to ensure that they can make a sustainable living and invest in their communities.
​
The program was created in response to the challenges faced by coffee farmers around the world, such as low prices, limited access to markets, and a lack of resources to improve their farming practices. By prioritizing the needs of the growers, the Growers First Coffee program aims to provide a more sustainable and equitable supply chain for coffee.
​
One of the key features of the program is its direct-to-grower model, which eliminates intermediaries and ensures that the farmers receive the full price for their beans. This is a significant improvement over the traditional model, where farmers often receive only a fraction of the price paid by consumers. The direct-to-grower model also provides farmers with greater control over the quality of their coffee and the prices they receive, helping them to improve their livelihoods.
​
In addition to fair prices, the Growers First Coffee program also provides farmers with access to resources and support to help them improve their farming practices. This includes training on sustainable farming methods, access to financing, and technical assistance. The program also works to connect farmers with roasters and coffee buyers, providing them with a direct link to the market and helping to increase the visibility of their coffee.
The Growers First Coffee program is not only beneficial for the farmers but also for coffee consumers. By supporting sustainable coffee farming, the program helps to ensure a steady supply of high-quality coffee for years to come. Additionally, consumers can feel good about their purchase knowing that they are supporting a more equitable and sustainable coffee supply chain.
​
In conclusion, the Growers First Coffee program is a unique and innovative approach to coffee that prioritizes the needs of coffee farmers and their communities. By providing fair prices, resources, and support, the program is helping to create a more sustainable and equitable coffee supply chain. Whether you are a coffee farmer, roaster, or consumer, the Growers First Coffee program offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the world.
Our Story
In meeting the needs of impoverished farming families in remote regions, agriculture is foundational to our work. Our strategy in farming communities is to assist farmers in improved crop management through the training by agronomists and business specialists. We work with farmers to assist them in increasing crop yield, better growing practices, improved methods of processing and finding marketplaces for their crops. We train farmers in methods to dramatically improve their ability to provide for their families, increase annual revenue, thus leading to sustainable transformation.
In the remote areas of developing countries, issues involving the environment are rarely part of the thought process. For most, their focus is mainly on survival. At Growers First part of our mission is to show that oftentimes, what is best for the environment can also be best for the farmer.
These practices include:
-
Organic farming—Avoiding chemical pesticides and fertilizers is good for the environment and can lead to a 25-percent premium in price in the market.
-
Crop Diversification—Planting secondary trees along side coffee trees in is actually better for the crop yield and improves the carbon footprint of the area at the same time. Bee hive projects provide another revenue source in honey sales, while bees can increase the productivity of coffee trees by 25 percent.
-
Water Solutions—Conservation and management of crop irrigation and water used in processing can create efficiency and productivity. In addition, clean water projects are essential for drinking water for farming families.
-
Agronomy and Crop Management—Detailed training in soil management and quality, and its affect on crops and farming
-
Cultivation and Crop Management—We provide training for farmers regarding planting, fertilizing, harvetsting techniques, etc., and how to best manage their crops to maximize crop yield and quality.
​
Environmental stewardship has the benefit of aiding the farmers in their crop productivity, and increasing the value while at the same time avoiding negative effects on the ecosystem.