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Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and the Mustangs
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I met my first wild horse in a movie theatre in Greenwich Village in 1963.
The story behind Wild Grounds Coffee
By Paul Katzeff, Co-Founder & Roastmaster Emeritus
He was on the wrong end of a lasso being held by Clark Gable. The horse was bucking and raising up on his hind legs, pulling desperately away from his capture. Marilyn Monroe was pulling on Clark’s hand pleading for the horses freedom. Clark was determined to get his horse and another payday. The Name of the Movie was The Misfits and was about three Aging Cowpokes who once made their living capturing Mustangs and selling them into the slaughter houses for meat. In this movie they complained about how the horses were no longer in abundance , hard to find and it was impossible to make a decent days pay capturing the ‘things’. Maralyn was as beautiful as the horses eyes, fierce now but with long lashes and deep deep soft eyes. Marilyn was beautiful but it was the Mustang, fighting for her freedom, that stole my heart,
Today, 58 years later there is a similar story playing out on the millions of square miles of rangeland between the western slope of the Rocky Mountains and the Eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas. Today it is not aging cowboys in Pick up trucks and lassos , but Federal Agents in Helicopters rounding up entire herds of free horses and burros and their children, often in the chaos separating family members or driving the horses to their death in the frenzy. Hay Feds, what’s the problem?
The round ups gather the horses into corals so they wont compete for the space grassland feed out there on the range. Thet range is for the Beef Cattle ! Our government leases our citizen owned land to cattle ranchers they can make money selling beef to our meat eating society of which I must admit , I am one. The cost of feeding jailed Mustangs is estimated to be in the billions. And why, when the 1970 Congress afforded Mustangs America’s protection, has all the Bureau of Land Management continued to harass the best symbols of freedom we have ?
A horse has eyes that tell a story. Each of us who have looked into the eyes of a Mustang will never forget the moment , never.
Yes, it happened for me long ago in a movie theatre but last October, on the way from Northern California to Phoenix to play baseball , I pulled my car onto a a sandy dirt road to nowhere and drove into the dessert just to see what was out there on that dirt road to nowhere. About five miles in, there they were ! Three magnificent free roaming Mustangs …and they were looking at me from a hill about a home runs distance away. I stopped, my heart jumping , I exited my car and laid down on the very hot sand and stared back. Finally, the circle was complete. I saw them alive and free.
Who belongs on that land we, as citizens own but have delegated the responsibility for their safety to The Bureau of Land Management to secure ? And why has the BLM chosen to represent the Cattle Industry and not our Mustangs?
When I discovered that others of my kind were fighting for them too, we joined the American Wild Horse Campaign and created a coffee package to tell coffee lovers whose side we were on. As with our other Cause Coffee programs, we wanted to empower our customers to help raise funds and awareness for this important work.
Horse and stuntman in the 1960 film "The Misfits"
Every time you purchase a package of AWHC coffee, Thanksgiving Coffee Company donates $3.00 to the AWHC.
When we are a bit further past this COVID-19 Pandemic we are planning a visit, jointly with AWHC staff, to visit and see these magnificent spirits up close. I hope you will be able to come with us. Until then, buy their coffee and know you are on the bus with us. And let me use that old expression , “The steak is as good as the sizzle “ when I say that the coffee inside the package is as good as it gets. You be the judge.
Wild Grounds Coffee
supports the American Wild Horse Campaign
The American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) is dedicated to preserving American wild horses and burros in viable free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage.
Since 2004, this organization has been raising awareness and making change for America’s wild horses. Thanksgiving Coffee Company has partnered with them to create Wild Grounds, a cause coffee to save the wild horses.
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![Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg 2024]()
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg
The Noyo Food Forest is having their annual Earth Day celebration this Saturday at the Learning Garden. This four hour event is a fundraiser for the Farm-to-School and Youth Intern programs that the Noyo Food Forest operates year-round. We partner with the Noyo Food Forest throughout the year, and we especially love being a part of this annual event in Fort Bragg.
15th Annual Earth Day Event
Saturday, April 20, 12 - 4 PM
At the Learning Garden at Fort Bragg High School on Dana Street.This Earth Day event is free and geared toward everyone in the family. There will be live music, and you can participate by putting down a bid for the silent auction, paying entry to bouncy houses, and tasting goodies from local chefs. This is one of the most fun events that happens in the city of Fort Bragg every year. Local organizations and nonprofits are a big part of this event, and you’ll see booths and representatives from the Noyo Marine Science Center, the Mendocino Land Trust, our Mendocino County state parks and many more important parts of the coastal community.
Thanksgiving Coffee will be serving up samples of our Bee Bold Blend, our new Nitro Coffee, and the Noyo Food Forest will be selling 12oz bags, as well. All the proceeds benefit the Noyo Food Forest and their important work here in our community. We are very happy to be a part of this awesome event. For more information, visit the Noyo Food Forest Earth Day page on their website, and RSVP on Facebook to share with your friends. Join us on April 20 – see you at the Learning Garden.
Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Partnership with the Noyo Food ForestLearn more about how we support our Mother Earth
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg 2024
read more -
![Women Powering Change: SOPPEXCCA's Revolutionary Approach to Economic Justice in Coffee]()
The Story Of SOPPEXCCA: Empowerment Through Coffee
In the verdant highlands of Jinotega, Nicaragua, a revolutionary approach to gender equity is transforming the coffee industry. Led by the visionary Fátima Ismael, SOPPEXCCA cooperative operates on a powerful belief: "Women's independence can only be achieved through economic autonomy and awareness."
"This groundbreaking initiative doesn't just produce exceptional coffee – it creates a model for sustainable economic justice." – Thanksgiving Coffee Company
What makes this partnership unique is SOPPEXCCA's pioneering recognition of women's traditionally invisible contributions to coffee production. This approach addresses a global challenge documented extensively by international organizations including the United Nations.
Fátima Ismael, SOPPEXCCA'S General Manager
The $40,000 Unpaid Work Fund: Valuing Invisible Labor
Since 2013, Thanksgiving Coffee Company has committed an additional $0.10 per pound of green coffee purchased from SOPPEXCCA – specifically allocated to recognize women's unpaid work. This initiative has now generated over $40,000 supporting women's economic empowerment.
The Global Context of Unpaid Labor
According to UN Women research:
- Unpaid care work is essential to functioning economies but often goes uncounted and unrecognized
- Women—particularly from low-income, migrant, and racialized groups—perform more than three-quarters of unpaid care and domestic work globally
- If women's unpaid work were assigned monetary value, it would exceed up to 40% of GDP in some countries
Measurable Impact in Nicaragua
The SOPPEXCCA initiative has created transformative changes for women:
- Improved relationships among women in rural communities
- Increased active participation in economic decision-making processes
- Development of creative potential within family economies
- Financial independence through personal savings accounts
- Growing cooperative membership among women
"8 March ... Day of commemoration and new commitments for a world of equality, equity and respect .. Greetings female producers, friends and companions who have been with this organization on their way that has not been easy but together we have overcome a thousand adversities and will continue to be fighting ..." Soppexcca
Woman Farmers of Soppexcca Cooperative - Jinotego, Nicaragua
Environmental Stewardship Meets Social Justice
Shade Grown Coffee: Critical Habitat for Migratory Songbirds
SOPPEXCCA's commitment extends beyond economic justice. Their shade-grown cultivation methods create essential winter habitats for migratory songbirds, demonstrating how sustainable agriculture directly contributes to biodiversity conservation.
"When you choose SOPPEXCCA coffee, you're supporting both women's empowerment and environmental stewardship – values at the heart of Thanksgiving Coffee Company."
Woman Farmers from the Soppexxcca Cooperative - Jinotega, Nicaragua
The Economic Impact Of Ethical Investment
UN Women's research reveals that investing in care infrastructure creates three times more jobs than equivalent investment in construction, with 70-90% of these jobs benefiting women.
The SOPPEXCCA fund represents precisely this kind of strategic investment.
Read about our support for the women of Soppexcca:
"Recognizing the Value of Womens Unpaid Work".
Celebrate the Women Coffee Farmers of Soppexcca
Try this delicious coffee and support a more balanced and just economy for the women of Soppexcca.
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company.
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Women Powering Change: SOPPEXCCA's Revolutionary Approach to Economic Justice in Coffee
read more -
![Roots & Regeneration: Pioneering Regenerative Agriculture]()
Pioneering Regenerative Agriculture
High in Nicaragua's pristine Arenal Forest Reserve, at 1,500 meters above sea level, Finca los Pinos stands as a testament to agricultural transformation. Here, Byron Corrales and his family have spent over four decades pioneering a different way of farming coffee. Since embracing organic practices in 1986, they've developed an innovative approach that works in perfect harmony with nature. Through their dedication to biodynamic farming, they've not only twice earned top honors for their extraordinary coffee, but they've also created a model for sustainable agriculture that's changing how we think about coffee cultivation.
Sarah Corrales on her families coffee farm
Byron Corrales hugging a tree on his family coffee farm
A Legacy of Excellence
Our relationship with the Corrales family spans three generations, witnessing their evolution from traditional farming to becoming leaders in biodynamic agriculture. Byron's innovative spirit led him to develop the exceptional Maracaturra variety, a unique hybrid that produces remarkably large beans – distinctively bigger than typical Arabica coffee beans. This size isn't just for show; it allows for exceptional taste elements that smaller beans simply cannot achieve, delivering a remarkable sweetness and richness in every cup.
Benita Corrales, Byron's mother
The first meeting with Thanksgiving Coffee Company in 1992- Left Byron Corrales, Right Arnulfo Corrales
Arnulfo Corrales, Byron's father
Left to right - Thanksgiving Coffee's Co-Founder Paul Katzeff, Byron Corrales, and Nick Hodgkins (Etico -The ethical trading company)
the Art Of Processing
Byron with drying natural Maracaturra coffee beans.
Corrales' artisanal approach to processing begins long before the cherries reach the beneficio (drying patio). On his farm, every element serves an integral function in creating exceptional coffee. This includes the carefully selected forage crops sustaining his cattle, whose manure enriches the compost used around the coffee trees, as well as the diverse pollinators - from honeybees to other beneficial insects - that support optimal cherry development.
For Corrales, successful coffee processing stems from creating a balanced, thriving ecosystem that produces the highest quality cherries possible for processing. This foundation of environmental harmony directly influences the clarity and complexity of his final cup.
The Natural process is when the coffee cherries are dried whole, without removing the pulp or using water or machines, and has become Byron’s preferred method for many reasons, as he explained in this video. It is a very good choice to reduce the use of fossil fuels and for water conservation, as well as the added antioxidant health benefits.
The Living Systems Of Los Pinos
At Finca los Pinos, every element serves multiple purposes in an intricate dance of mutual support:
- Native and planted trees provide essential shade and soil health
- Free-ranging cattle contribute to natural fertilization cycles
- Coffee cherry pulp (cascara) is recycled into nutritious cattle feed
- Birds and beneficial insects maintain natural pest control
- Pine trees create unique conditions that enhance both soil and coffee quality
Los Pinos coffee farm looking out over the forest
Soil: The Foundation of Life
Byron Corrales with his hands full of soil
Byron's approach to soil health demonstrates the core principles of regenerative agriculture. "The farmers that produce with agrochemicals and herbicides destroy the life of the soil," he observes. "We protect it." This protection includes:
- Maintaining ground cover to retain moisture
- Supporting microorganism and mycorrhizal networks
- Using natural fertilization methods
- Working with, rather than against, natural processes
“I feel really happy that those who drink my coffee are drinking a cup of life”
Byron Corrales
Climate Resilience Through Diversity
Great video produced by Viva La Finca - Virtual origin experience - Byron Corrales of Finca Los Pinos
Understanding the challenges of climate change, Byron has implemented robust adaptation strategies:
- Diverse tree species for enhanced shade coverage
- Strengthened soil biology
- Natural mineral enrichment
- Water conservation systems
The Unique Maracaturra Experience
This regenerative approach culminates in the cultivation of Maracaturra, a special variety found only at Finca los Pinos. This unique hybrid of Maragoype and Caturra (Bourbon) produces a truly exceptional coffee with:
- Juicy apricot aromatics
- Rich cashew nuttiness
- A deeply toned sweet cacao finish
- Remarkable sweetness unique to the large bean size
- Complex flavor elements impossible to achieve with conventional varieties
A Vision for the Future
"I want to transmit our family's art, our work of many years, discovering the flavors we've learned to bring forth from our mountains, expressed in this cup by way of respect for our environment," Byron shares. This respect for environment and commitment to regenerative practices creates coffee that is, in Byron's words, "the expression of life and the life energy of all the living beings who live in our community."
The Corrales Family from one of our origin trips.
Sold outEach cup of Byron's coffee embodies a powerful truth: regenerative agriculture can produce extraordinary coffee while healing the earth.
Our Byron's Blend is where ancient farming wisdom meets modern artistry. By masterfully combining washed and natural processed Maracaturra coffees, we create a harmonious cup that showcases the finest expressions of both methods. The result is more than a blend – it's a testament to coffee craftsmanship at its peak.
As Byron himself reminds us with characteristic wisdom: we are "celebrating with joy the responsibility of protecting the future of our generations." In every sip, you taste that promise.
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company.
Roots & Regeneration: Pioneering Regenerative Agriculture
read more
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg
The Noyo Food Forest is having their annual Earth Day celebration this Saturday at the Learning Garden. This four hour event is a fundraiser for the Farm-to-School and Youth Intern programs that the Noyo Food Forest operates year-round. We partner with the Noyo Food Forest throughout the year, and we especially love being a part of this annual event in Fort Bragg.
15th Annual Earth Day Event
Saturday, April 20, 12 - 4 PM
At the Learning Garden at Fort Bragg High School on Dana Street.
This Earth Day event is free and geared toward everyone in the family. There will be live music, and you can participate by putting down a bid for the silent auction, paying entry to bouncy houses, and tasting goodies from local chefs. This is one of the most fun events that happens in the city of Fort Bragg every year. Local organizations and nonprofits are a big part of this event, and you’ll see booths and representatives from the Noyo Marine Science Center, the Mendocino Land Trust, our Mendocino County state parks and many more important parts of the coastal community.
Thanksgiving Coffee will be serving up samples of our Bee Bold Blend, our new Nitro Coffee, and the Noyo Food Forest will be selling 12oz bags, as well. All the proceeds benefit the Noyo Food Forest and their important work here in our community. We are very happy to be a part of this awesome event. For more information, visit the Noyo Food Forest Earth Day page on their website, and RSVP on Facebook to share with your friends. Join us on April 20 – see you at the Learning Garden.
Thanksgiving Coffee Company
Partnership with the Noyo Food Forest
Learn more about how we support our Mother Earth
Earth Day Event in Fort Bragg 2024
read more
The Story Of SOPPEXCCA: Empowerment Through Coffee
In the verdant highlands of Jinotega, Nicaragua, a revolutionary approach to gender equity is transforming the coffee industry. Led by the visionary Fátima Ismael, SOPPEXCCA cooperative operates on a powerful belief: "Women's independence can only be achieved through economic autonomy and awareness."
"This groundbreaking initiative doesn't just produce exceptional coffee – it creates a model for sustainable economic justice." – Thanksgiving Coffee Company
What makes this partnership unique is SOPPEXCCA's pioneering recognition of women's traditionally invisible contributions to coffee production. This approach addresses a global challenge documented extensively by international organizations including the United Nations.
Fátima Ismael, SOPPEXCCA'S General Manager
The $40,000 Unpaid Work Fund: Valuing Invisible Labor
Since 2013, Thanksgiving Coffee Company has committed an additional $0.10 per pound of green coffee purchased from SOPPEXCCA – specifically allocated to recognize women's unpaid work. This initiative has now generated over $40,000 supporting women's economic empowerment.
The Global Context of Unpaid Labor
According to UN Women research:
- Unpaid care work is essential to functioning economies but often goes uncounted and unrecognized
- Women—particularly from low-income, migrant, and racialized groups—perform more than three-quarters of unpaid care and domestic work globally
- If women's unpaid work were assigned monetary value, it would exceed up to 40% of GDP in some countries
Measurable Impact in Nicaragua
The SOPPEXCCA initiative has created transformative changes for women:
- Improved relationships among women in rural communities
- Increased active participation in economic decision-making processes
- Development of creative potential within family economies
- Financial independence through personal savings accounts
- Growing cooperative membership among women
"8 March ... Day of commemoration and new commitments for a world of equality, equity and respect .. Greetings female producers, friends and companions who have been with this organization on their way that has not been easy but together we have overcome a thousand adversities and will continue to be fighting ..." Soppexcca
Woman Farmers of Soppexcca Cooperative - Jinotego, Nicaragua
Environmental Stewardship Meets Social Justice
Shade Grown Coffee: Critical Habitat for Migratory Songbirds
SOPPEXCCA's commitment extends beyond economic justice. Their shade-grown cultivation methods create essential winter habitats for migratory songbirds, demonstrating how sustainable agriculture directly contributes to biodiversity conservation.
"When you choose SOPPEXCCA coffee, you're supporting both women's empowerment and environmental stewardship – values at the heart of Thanksgiving Coffee Company."
Woman Farmers from the Soppexxcca Cooperative - Jinotega, Nicaragua
The Economic Impact Of Ethical Investment
UN Women's research reveals that investing in care infrastructure creates three times more jobs than equivalent investment in construction, with 70-90% of these jobs benefiting women.
The SOPPEXCCA fund represents precisely this kind of strategic investment.
Read about our support for the women of Soppexcca:
"Recognizing the Value of Womens Unpaid Work".
Celebrate the Women Coffee Farmers of Soppexcca
Try this delicious coffee and support a more balanced and just economy for the women of Soppexcca.
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company.
Stay in touch - we like to stay connected
Women Powering Change: SOPPEXCCA's Revolutionary Approach to Economic Justice in Coffee
read more
Pioneering Regenerative Agriculture
High in Nicaragua's pristine Arenal Forest Reserve, at 1,500 meters above sea level, Finca los Pinos stands as a testament to agricultural transformation. Here, Byron Corrales and his family have spent over four decades pioneering a different way of farming coffee. Since embracing organic practices in 1986, they've developed an innovative approach that works in perfect harmony with nature. Through their dedication to biodynamic farming, they've not only twice earned top honors for their extraordinary coffee, but they've also created a model for sustainable agriculture that's changing how we think about coffee cultivation.
Sarah Corrales on her families coffee farm
Byron Corrales hugging a tree on his family coffee farm
A Legacy of Excellence
Our relationship with the Corrales family spans three generations, witnessing their evolution from traditional farming to becoming leaders in biodynamic agriculture. Byron's innovative spirit led him to develop the exceptional Maracaturra variety, a unique hybrid that produces remarkably large beans – distinctively bigger than typical Arabica coffee beans. This size isn't just for show; it allows for exceptional taste elements that smaller beans simply cannot achieve, delivering a remarkable sweetness and richness in every cup.
Benita Corrales, Byron's mother
The first meeting with Thanksgiving Coffee Company in 1992- Left Byron Corrales, Right Arnulfo Corrales
Arnulfo Corrales, Byron's father
Left to right - Thanksgiving Coffee's Co-Founder Paul Katzeff, Byron Corrales, and Nick Hodgkins (Etico -The ethical trading company)
the Art Of Processing
Byron with drying natural Maracaturra coffee beans.
Corrales' artisanal approach to processing begins long before the cherries reach the beneficio (drying patio). On his farm, every element serves an integral function in creating exceptional coffee. This includes the carefully selected forage crops sustaining his cattle, whose manure enriches the compost used around the coffee trees, as well as the diverse pollinators - from honeybees to other beneficial insects - that support optimal cherry development.
For Corrales, successful coffee processing stems from creating a balanced, thriving ecosystem that produces the highest quality cherries possible for processing. This foundation of environmental harmony directly influences the clarity and complexity of his final cup.
The Natural process is when the coffee cherries are dried whole, without removing the pulp or using water or machines, and has become Byron’s preferred method for many reasons, as he explained in this video. It is a very good choice to reduce the use of fossil fuels and for water conservation, as well as the added antioxidant health benefits.
The Living Systems Of Los Pinos
At Finca los Pinos, every element serves multiple purposes in an intricate dance of mutual support:
- Native and planted trees provide essential shade and soil health
- Free-ranging cattle contribute to natural fertilization cycles
- Coffee cherry pulp (cascara) is recycled into nutritious cattle feed
- Birds and beneficial insects maintain natural pest control
- Pine trees create unique conditions that enhance both soil and coffee quality
Los Pinos coffee farm looking out over the forest
Soil: The Foundation of Life
Byron Corrales with his hands full of soil
Byron's approach to soil health demonstrates the core principles of regenerative agriculture. "The farmers that produce with agrochemicals and herbicides destroy the life of the soil," he observes. "We protect it." This protection includes:
- Maintaining ground cover to retain moisture
- Supporting microorganism and mycorrhizal networks
- Using natural fertilization methods
- Working with, rather than against, natural processes
“I feel really happy that those who drink my coffee are drinking a cup of life”
Byron Corrales
Climate Resilience Through Diversity
Great video produced by Viva La Finca - Virtual origin experience - Byron Corrales of Finca Los Pinos
Understanding the challenges of climate change, Byron has implemented robust adaptation strategies:
- Diverse tree species for enhanced shade coverage
- Strengthened soil biology
- Natural mineral enrichment
- Water conservation systems
The Unique Maracaturra Experience
This regenerative approach culminates in the cultivation of Maracaturra, a special variety found only at Finca los Pinos. This unique hybrid of Maragoype and Caturra (Bourbon) produces a truly exceptional coffee with:
- Juicy apricot aromatics
- Rich cashew nuttiness
- A deeply toned sweet cacao finish
- Remarkable sweetness unique to the large bean size
- Complex flavor elements impossible to achieve with conventional varieties
A Vision for the Future
"I want to transmit our family's art, our work of many years, discovering the flavors we've learned to bring forth from our mountains, expressed in this cup by way of respect for our environment," Byron shares. This respect for environment and commitment to regenerative practices creates coffee that is, in Byron's words, "the expression of life and the life energy of all the living beings who live in our community."
The Corrales Family from one of our origin trips.
Each cup of Byron's coffee embodies a powerful truth: regenerative agriculture can produce extraordinary coffee while healing the earth.
Our Byron's Blend is where ancient farming wisdom meets modern artistry. By masterfully combining washed and natural processed Maracaturra coffees, we create a harmonious cup that showcases the finest expressions of both methods. The result is more than a blend – it's a testament to coffee craftsmanship at its peak.
As Byron himself reminds us with characteristic wisdom: we are "celebrating with joy the responsibility of protecting the future of our generations." In every sip, you taste that promise.
Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company.
Roots & Regeneration: Pioneering Regenerative Agriculture
read more
Beyond The Bean: Buzzing with Biodiversity
Your morning coffee can be more than just a boost—it can drive positive change. With our Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification and our Bee Bold Alliance initiative, we're turning your daily coffee ritual into a force for good. Here's how we're making waves in the world of sustainable agriculture while serving up exceptional coffee.
Butterfly on coffee leaf, Soppexxcca Coop, Nicaragua
Cultivating Natural Ecosystems
Our coffee farming goes beyond conventional methods. We nurture complete ecosystems where coffee plants thrive alongside native flora and fauna. A single coffee tree can support over 100 insect species, enhancing biodiversity on our farms.
coffee beans ripening in the understory of the forest canopy
Our Environmental Commitments
Our commitment to biodiversity is reflected in two key initiatives:
AT ORIGIN
Smithsonian Bird Friendly ® Certification: This certification is literally the environmental gold standard in the sustainable coffee industry. As holders of the Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification since 2015, we adhere to the most comprehensive, science-based standards in the coffee industry. This certification requires:
- Multiple layers of native tree canopy providing crucial wildlife habitat
- USDA Organic certification as a foundation, ensuring chemical-free farming
- Regular third-party inspections verifying our environmental impact
- Documented support of migratory birds and local biodiversity
Did you know? A single coffee tree on a certified farm can support over 100 distinct insect species!
AT HOME
The Bee Bold Alliance: This is our initiative to restore biodiversity and support local food security through pollinator protection. The vision is to create a regenerative ecology network in our community for comprehensive pollinator protection. Here are the key principles guiding our path forward:
- Protecting the Soil: We're working toward eliminating harmful pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides from our farming practices. This transition aims to create healthier environments for pollinators while maintaining productive coffee cultivation.
- Watershed Stewardship: Our growing commitment includes developing better water conservation practices, reducing fertilizer usage, and implementing responsible waste management systems.
- Fostering Pollinator Forage: We're exploring ways to integrate more flowering plants throughout our local farms, aiming to provide year-round nutrition that supports healthy pollinator populations.
- Honoring Indigenous Wisdom: We're beginning to build relationships with Native/First Nation peoples in our growing regions, seeking to learn from their traditional knowledge and collaborate on sustainable solutions for the future.
We're reaching out to neighboring farms and communities, inviting them to join us in protecting pollinators. This initiative is beginning to form, and we believe that together, we can create meaningful change.
The Impact of Your Coffee Choice
We believe in the power of collective action. Here are ways you can participate in this journey:
-
Choose coffee that aligns with your environmental values
-
Cultivate native wildflowers in your garden or community spaces
-
Consider natural pest management practices
-
Create undisturbed areas in your garden to provide natural habitats
-
Learn about pollinator-friendly plants suitable for your local ecosystem
Moving Forward Together
We're at an exciting point in our environmental journey, where your choice of coffee can help shape future agricultural practices. Our Bird Friendly® certified coffee demonstrates our established commitment to environmental stewardship, while our developing Bee Bold Coffee initiative shows where we're heading. By choosing these products, you're not just selecting quality coffee—you're supporting the evolution of sustainable and pollinator-friendly agriculture.
Join us on this journey toward biodiversity conservation through sustainable agriculture. Your support through choosing our Bird Friendly® certified coffee and Bee Bold Coffee helps create positive environmental change, one cup at a time.
Lavender Grace is the Sustainable Ecology Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company