Established in 2012 near Popayán, Agroparque Las Villas was created to combine coffee production, ecotourism, and environmental conservation. Today, the farm offers visitors an immersive experience where coffee, biodiversity, and the natural landscapes of Cauca come together, showcasing coffee not only as an agricultural product but as an essential part of the region’s culture and identity.

Agroparque Las Villas combines coffee production with biodiversity, creating a farming system where healthy
ecosystems support consistent coffee quality. Coffee trees are regularly weeded and pruned, while damaged cherries are removed after harvest to reduce pest pressure. Native trees, citrus, and avocado grow alongside the coffee, providing shade, protecting the soil, attracting beneficial wildlife, and strengthening the farm’s natural resilience.

Fertilization takes place every four months using customized nutrient blends adapted to each coffee lot and its stage of development. Organic compost is also applied annually to improve soil health and maintain a balanced microbial ecosystem.

Harvest takes place mainly between May and August, followed by a smaller mitaca harvest later in the year. Only fully ripe cherries are selectively handpicked before flotation sorting removes defective fruit and impurities. Within 24 hours, the cherries are transported to the Área 18 processing facility, where each lot is carefully evaluated, cleaned, optically sorted, and classified by size before processing.

Área 18 was founded in 2024 by three companies with a shared vision: to unlock the full potential of the coffee cherry. Rather than treating by-products as waste, they aim to create value, sustainability, and better returns for producers and consumers. Their circular-economy approach focuses on efficient, responsible processes that minimize waste and transform the entire coffee fruit into high-quality products. By 2030, the goal is total utilization of the cherry under carbon-neutral principles.

This collaboration is more than a technical project—it’s a commitment to reimagining the coffee value chain. Through innovation and thoughtful solutions, Área 18 is paving the way for a more sustainable industry and creating lasting positive impact for coffee-growing communities.