1. Farm owner: María Felicitas Mairena
2. Farm name: La Verona
3. Farm location:Natural Reserve El Arenal, Cordillera Isabelia, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
4. Production área: 61 hectares
5. Average altitude: 1150 meters (950-1350 m)
6. Production System:
The coffee of the farm is produced under shade with agroforestry systems and with good agricultural practices.
35% of the area in the farm is being protected as a forest reserve area that is located in the National Natural Reserve “El Arenal”, which is one of the few reserve areas of nebliselva forest in Nicaragua. In this foggy mountain area several water springs exist, which are protected and provide drinking water to the community of Escaleras in North Yasica. The water production in the mountains area of the farm is abundant and feeds into the basin of the Yasica River.
The forest area of the farm is an important habitat and refuge for the flora and fauna of the area. The animals that have been seen are black panther, jaguars, deer, boars, coatis, guatuzas, and birds such as the three-wattled bellbird and quetzal. The logo, which is a Black Panther, includes the fauna presence and represents the importance of the fauna in the farm.
Maria Felicitas is not only the owner of La Verona, but also of another farm called San Antonio which is right besides La Verona. A small school for young children was built in San Antonio farm. Children from both farms who have not yet entered primary school have the opportunity to go to school there. Not only is this school being used for children education, but also for adult education and as a recreation area.
7. History: The family of Maria Felicitas has a long coffee background. La Verona was acquired from her ancestors since the 1920s. The farm was unfairly expropriated 1983 by the Sandinista Regime and President Violeta Chamorro returned the farm to the Mairena’s Family 1996. At that time the finca was in a desolate condition and had to be rebuilt from almost zero.
8. Other relevant information
The coffee from the La Verona farm was selected in the list of the 20 best coffees in Nicaragua from the 2018/2019 harvest.
The varieties of coffee on the farm are: Caturra, Red Catuaí, Castilla, Colombia, Marsellesa, Obata, Arara, Java, Maragogype and Parainema.
The Verona farm was one of the first farms that exported its coffee under the concept of Estate Coffee to the Italian city Verona between the years 1950 -1960.
9. Varieties and Processes
The processes that take place on the farm are Washed, Natural, Honey, Anaerobic (washed, natural and honey), Carbonic Maceration (washed, natural, honey) and Green Cherries under anaerobic fermentation.
