Finca Catalan de Las Mercedes, a family-owned coffee farm in Guatemala’s Chimaltenango region since 1851, is dedicated to both coffee cultivation and sustainability. They process coffee at their own wet mill,

Beneficio Catalan, built in 2013. The Hammonds aim to enhance agricultural techniques for high-quality coffee while preserving the environment, earning Cup of Excellence awards and numerous certifications benefiting local communities.

SOMETHING BIGGER THAN COFFEE: THE CATALAN EDUCATIONAL CENTER (CEC)

Under Nico and Angi Hammond’s leadership, the Catalan Education Centre (CEC) nurtures children, allowing families to stay together, especially during harvest.

CEC focuses on three pillars:

1. EDUCATION: Licensed teachers provide personalized education for children.

2. NUTRITION: Daily meals include freshly harvested vegetables, teaching children about planting and harvesting.

3. HEALTH AND HYGIENE: Basic hygiene practices are instilled, with regular medical check-ups.

Founded in early 2021, CEC has grown from humble beginnings to offer a safe space for children of farmworkers to learn and thrive. The “Catalan’s Educational Center” project provides free education and essential resources, emphasizing core subjects and life skills like hygiene, nutrition, and environmental awareness. Children also learn to grow and harvest their own vegetables and herbs in the on-site greenhouse.