Since 2018, Julius Meinl has been supporting sustainable coffee farming in Colombia through our Generations Programme. In 2023 we started the currently ongoing project cycle, which revolves around soil health and views soil as a generational legacy. We have just finished the second out of a total of three years of this project cycle and are happy to share some insights into what we have achieved and learned so far.  

Why Soil Health Matters

The more nutritious and balanced the soil, the better the quality of our coffee beans.

Therefore, we partner with one of our green coffee suppliers, Louis Dreyfus Company in Colombia’s Tolima region to support coffee producers in adopting regenerative agricultural practices that improve soil health, combining traditional knowledge with modern tools and scientific insight. As an outcome of the project, we not only have healthier soil, but also reduce the farmers’ dependence and spending on synthetic fertilisers while boosting productivity and resilience.

Key Achievements so far (May 2023 – June 2025):

• 100 farmers trained in regenerative practices (on track to reach 150 by 2026)
• Soil testing and tailored fertilisation plans for each participating farm
• Compost pits built and used to turn coffee pulp and farm waste into organic fertiliser
• Improved weed control techniques to protect plant health
• Reduced use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, cutting emissions and saving costs
• Educational field trips for participating farmers to promote peer learning and knowledge exchange 

The results speak for themselves: increased organic matter in the soil, healthier coffee plants, and higher potential for improved yields and cup quality.

Farmers Leading the Way

At the heart of our Generations Programme are our coffee farmers. Their stories show how sustainable transformations in coffee farming are possible with the right knowledge and support:

• Nelly Suache and her family in Líbano are composting coffee pulp, reducing chemicals, and restoring the health of their land. 
  How a Colombian family grows coffee sustainably | Julius Meinl Generations Programme Colombia

• Fabiola Catalina Martínez Sánchez is honouring her grandfather’s legacy by leading a regenerative transformation of her family farm using new techniques learned through the programme.
  From her grandfather’s roots to a greener future | Julius Meinl Generations Programme Colombia

• Ever Ayandi Osorio has seen struggling plants rebound through compost use and believes in coffee’s future as a sustainable career path for young farmers.
  A farmer’s path to a better future in coffee | Julius Meinl Generations Programme Colombia

• John Alexander, part of the Durán family, speaks of coffee as a legacy and a source of independence, empowered by a deeper understanding of soil care and natural fertilisation.
  From barren soil to thriving farm: a coffee legacy | Julius Meinl Generations Programme Colombia

What’s Next?

Until the end of the project in summer 2026, we will train an additional 50 farmers, continue to provide mentorship to farmers from previous years and evaluate our KPIs and develop learnings to scale the project beyond its duration.

At Julius Meinl, we believe that the future of coffee depends on regenerating the land it grows on, and empowering the people who care for it.