SANTA CRUZ | Brasilien | Pulped Natural [Rainforest Certified]

The Fonseca Figueiredo family have dedicated themselves to producing high-quality coffee that truly stands out. Francisco (also known as Chiquinho Viana), his wife Maria Izabel, and their three sons Denis, Denilson, and Wagner run the fazenda alongside a dedicated team of resident and seasonal staff. Standing at an altitude of 1000–1200 meters above sea level, this farm is the perfect spot for growing top-quality coffee.

Francisco bought the farm in 2019, however coffee has been being produced in the area for many years. The farm's previous owners, the Barreto family, had been growing coffee since 1932 and there is a long heritage of coffee production and agronomy on the farm. Francisco, who has been in the coffee industry since he was a child, brings a wealth of experience and is responsible for the farm's nursery and new seedlings. In addition, his son Denis takes care of the crops, Denilson handles maintenance, and Wagner manages the finances. Together, the family work Tirelessly to ensure that Fazenda Santa Cruz is always at the forefront of the industry.

Francisco has always been an innovator. The farm uses a combination of selective machine and handpicking during the harvest season and the farm cultivates several varieties, including Mundo Novo, Arara, Catuaí, Catucai, and Paraíso over a total of 650 hectares of coffee plantation. The adoption of new Varieties such as Catucai, Arara, and Paraíso, known for their high yields and resistance to disease, has been a challenge, but one motivated by innovation and sustainability. The farm spans well over 900 hectares and is a true gem in the region. The family uses almost, 13000
square meters of patio space to process coffees, both natural and pulped natural, after which the beans are stored in wooden silos. There have been many development projects on the fazenda in recent years, with upgrades to both living
and farming infrastructure, for example 25% of the farm is now hydrated using sprinklers which take their water from large rainwater reservoirs. Aside from the Fonseca Figueiredo family and the ten other families that live on the farm, there is also a dedicated team of over a hundred seasonal workers who help the farm during harvest. The farm not only focuses on coffee production but also provides honey, agricultural machinery sales, and construction services.

Fazenda Santa Cruz is situated in hilly terrain and as a result has had to develop ingenious ways of balancing sustainability and coffee production. Francisco and his team have pioneered soil conservation and the planting of micro lots on the steep slopes of the farm. Their expertise is such that they regularly help other local farms adopt the same practices. In addition to the coffee plantation, more than 180 hectares are fully dedicated to natural reserves and many beautiful native trees such as capixingui and amoreira and a wide range of wildlife thrive on the site.