Growing a family business Mario Mejia grew up playing on drying patios and chasing his brothers through coffee trees. In La Paz, Honduras, where the cool mountain temperatures and steep slopes provide the perfect environment for cultivating coffee, the Mejia family has been dedicated to their land in Montecillos Sierra for four generations. A 16 hectare farm when it was inherited by his father, Finca El Jardin’s current 52 hectares are now managed by the youngest Mejia, Mario.

Mario always knew he would continue the work his family taught him but he is part of a generation looking to give Honduras a new name in the specialty coffee industry. The future he imagines is one where Honduran coffee earns its own spot on a shelf, rather than being blended away. Inspired by bold and innovative Honduran farmers like Benjamin Paz, Mario chases higher quality every year. And not only for himself. Mario also is creating a network of neighboring farms who he can work with and share his knowledge to collectively lift the name of Honduran coffee.

Mario was determined to overcome doubts, and strive to ensure that Honduran coffee is not just seen as a commodity but as a valued product with a story and quality behind it.

Elevating Honduras' specialty coffee
So starting small, with only 5 hectares and the existing trees there, the family began transitioning to specialty production.In 2021 CONEXH, their very own exporting company, was established with the mission of elevating Honduran coffee quality and market presence. Along with the family farms, they formed a local farmers group called “Los Compaz” to support others’ transitions to specialty production and strengthen their network of supply.

Local workers
With the growth of the farm into the 52 hectares it is, now fully committed to specialty, not only have wages of workers on the farm increased, but there is more work year round. This means instead of relying on finding seasonal migrant workers every year, Finca El Jardin can fully focus on local employment and community development.