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The renowned Zelaya family has been growing coffee for over 100 years and four generations on farms throughout Guatemala, and their Santa Clara is one of only a handful of genuine �Antigua� coffees; coffees grown in the Antigua valley area bounded by three volcanoes � Agua, Acatenango and Fuego.
The 110-hectare Santa Clara farm is located on the fertile southern slopes of the Volc�n de Agua in the Antigua Valley at 1,600-1,830 metres above sea level. Since 1988, Ricardo Zelaya has managed the farm, which was bought in 1974 by his Grandfather, and is the 4th generation of the Zelaya family to have produced coffee at Santa Clara.
Under Ricardo's stewardship, the farm has expanded from 17 hectares of coffee plantations to 95 hectares, with a wet mill, drying patios and a greenhouse incorporated to improve the processing of the coffee.
Santa Clara's farm workers are seen as members of the family, and Ricardo began a scholarship program in 2010 to help his workers pay for their children's education. The program is funded by Ricardo, with the additional support of three overseas buyers who have supported the cause since 2012.
Away from the plantation, Santa Clara's goal is for the scholarship program to help all the children of the farm workers. Despite the fact that the program grows each year, at the moment there are still only 9 children with scholarships. It is hoped that with the help of more overseas buyers, all the children of the workers will be able to realize their dreams.
