Rome to Kenya–Dean’s Beans Walking the Talk
Dean Cycon of Dean’s Beans will be traveling to Rome, Italy to participate in the FAO Creating Sustainable Mountain Communities Forum, January 24 – 26. From there, he will continue on to Kenya for a 2-week visit with government officials, farmers and development agencies to help activate a first Kenyan organic and Fair Trade certification program. He will visit the EMBU cooperative, with whom Cooperative Coffees, Kenya Fair Traders and the Kenyan Government Minister of Cooperative Development are collaborating on a Fair Trade Coffee pilot project. Assuming all goes well with this first experience, we expect this would open the door to greater Fair Trade transactions with Kenya.

Chiapas with Mut Vitz, Maya Vinic and Yachil
Chris and Jody Treter of Higher Grounds Trading will be leading the Cooperative Coffees Delegation to Chiapas, Jan 29 to Feb 5. This trip is will give participants an inside look at organic coffee production in three, remarkable Fair Trade coffee co-ops creating community sustainability, while struggling for indigenous rights. In addition to learning about the farmers’ perspective of the coffee industry, participants will learn more about the similarities and differences, present day challenges, and successes of Mut Vitz and Maya Vinic, the two co-ops with whom Cooperative Coffees is currently importing. The group will also visit with Yachil Xojoval Chulchan, a new cooperative, from whom Cooperative Coffees will be importing this year.

Cooperative Coffees Cupping w/ CECOCAFEN
The Cooperative Coffees Nicaragua trip, Feb 12 – 20, is certain to be a sensory experience as we cup our way across the coffee-growing regions under the influence of CECOCAFEN, as well as a spiritual journey as tends to occur when we get together with our Nicaraguan friends! CECOCAFEN represents a dedicated network of community coops – who in addition to facilitating quality control and organic production, are an exemplary model for integrated, community development. Participating roasters include: Alternative Grounds, Toronto, Ontario; Bean North - Whitehorse, Yukon; Larry’s Beans, Raleigh, NC; Conscious Coffees, Breckenridge, CO; Heine Brother’s Coffee, Louisville, KY; Peace Coffee, Minneapolis, MN; and Cooperative Coffees Producer Relations, Montreal, Quebec.

Peace Coffee leads Nicaragua Client Tour
After our first taste of CECOCAFEN’s “coffee tourism” project last year, roasters have clamored to share the experience with their clients. This year Beth Backen of Peace Coffee, Minneapolis, will lead the client tour to Matagalpa and Jinotega, March 21-28. Participants will learn about the history and impact of coffee on the Nicaraguan economy, as well as share a few days in the life of a small-scale coffee farmer. Activities will range from picking and processing coffee cherries to making Nactamales, visiting a processing plant and face to face discussion with the people who bring it all together within the organizations.

Bongo Java in South Africa
Bob Burnstein, of Bongo Java will tour South Africa as part of his Honeymoon Adventure with his lovely bride, Irma Paz. Perhaps a side trip is in store to visit the exciting work in Rwandan cooperative coffee? Congratulations to Bob and Irma!!