From Territory to University: When Coffee Plants the Seeds of the Future

In the territories where coffee is born, dreams are born as well. At ANEI, we believe that real impact begins at origin and unfolds over time when we invest in people,  especially rural youth. Stories like that of Daniel Javier Maestre, a young man from the Atanquez community in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, remind us that knowledge, when shared with purpose, can transform life decisions and strengthen coffee-growing territories.

When Learning from the Territory Becomes a Life Project

Daniel was part of ANEI’s School of Guardians of the Territory, a training space that promotes soil care, the use of bio-inputs, agroecology, and sustainable agricultural practices. There, he not only learned productive techniques but also strengthened his identity as a rural youth and his connection to the land.

This process planted a key seed: understanding that coffee is not just a product, but a living system that integrates soil,  water, biodiversity, and community. Motivated by these learnings and supported by ANEI, Daniel made a transformative decision to begin his studies in the Agroecology program at the University of La Guajira.

Education, Youth, and Sustainability: A Strategic Commitment

Supporting young people like Daniel is an essential part of building a more conscious, sustainable, and people-centered coffee value chain. Rural education and agroecological training make it possible to:

• Strengthen the sustainability of coffee production systems.

• Ensure generational renewal within coffee-growing communities.

• Promote responsible practices that protect soil and the environment.

• Create a sense of belonging, opportunities, and long-term vision in rural territories.

Investing in youth means investing in quality,  traceability, and purpose at origin—increasingly relevant values
for specialty coffee buyers.

Impact You Can Taste in the Cup

Behind every coffee marketed by ANEI are training processes, technical support, and conscious decisions that begin at the origin. When a young person chooses to study agroecology based on what they have learned in their community, the impact goes beyond the social;  it is reflected in more responsible farming practices, long-term relationships, and coffee that tells an authentic story from its origin.

Testimony

Be Part of the Impact at Origin

Learn more about our origin-based processes, the School of Guardians of the Territory, and how we work alongsidecoffee-growing communities by visiting our website or contacting us to explore partnerships that generate real impact.

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