Based high in the mountains of northwestern Chiapas, the Federacion Selva Negra Zoque is comprised of 114 members spread among 4 community groups in Pantepec, Tapalapa, Tapelula and Juantan. Selva Negra, or Black Forest, is appropriately named - the mountains where their coffee grows are often covered by dark clouds that bring an unusually high level of rain to the area and help create excellent growing conditions.

Formed in 1992, many members moved to the area after being displaced first by major dam projects in the area then by the volcanic eruption of El Chichonal. These farmer are some of the few remaining native Zoque people. The culture in this area is quite different than other parts of Chiapas from which we purchase coffee – the coastal state of Tabasco heavily influences the area and there is an “old west” feeling in these small towns. Lassos, cowboy boots and working horses are seem everywhere.

The cooperative recently received their organic certification and we arranged for them to sell their first direct export container to us for decaffeination. Next year, we hope to offer their coffee as a new varietal and expect the quality to be comparable to the best organic Mexican coffees.

With assistance from Equiterre and CIDA in Canada, Selva Negra is building a model training facility for their members and others to learn organic farming techniques. The 3 acre test plot includes a chicken hatchery, worm composting beds, an organic vegetable garden and the building are constructed using rammed earth building techniques. Coffee Kids helped a women's group associated with the cooperative launch a mushroom growing project now includes over 20 families. Each family can produce several hundred pounds of mushrooms for sale in local markets.

The cooperative produced about 100,000 pounds of coffee this year, exporting one container of 38,000 to us and selling the remaining coffee to a local buyer. Next year, they expect to sell two or three containers to direct buyers. Their main priorities for 2008 are to invest in fair trade certification and in a warehouse.