This article was published in the 91短视频 WeatherVane, a student newspaper.
A Nicaraguan coffee farmer and a local roaster teamed up last Thursday to discuss their efforts in supplying Common Grounds coffee in a way that is responsible and fair to the global community. Jamie Miller talked mainly about the challenges of coffee farming in Central America. Troy Lucas (of Lucas Roasting Co.) explained his role as a 鈥渃onscientious middleman鈥� in the coffee industry.
鈥淭here is a lot of money in the coffee industry,鈥� Lucas began. 鈥淗ow can we change that industry so that the money that starts here gets back to the farmers? That鈥檚 the question we are trying to answer.鈥�
Backed by a plethora of facts, Lucas and Miller painted a picture of a coffee industry unseen by most consumers, one in which social injustice is commonplace.
Much of the money earned in the lucrative trade remains at the top of the social pyramid. Subsistence farmers in Central and South America receive a very small percentage of the pay-off, earning between $1 and $2 per pound of coffee. Many coffee farmers do not have a large enough income to support themselves, let alone consider environmental issues.
In addition, the increasing lack of predictability in the seasons in Central America has led to widespread problems with coffee cultivation. 鈥淭he rainy season isn鈥檛 the rainy season anymore,鈥� lamented Miller.
鈥淥ur coffee is no longer getting the time needed to flower and mature.鈥� Droughts and floods especially hurt farmers, since coffee plants have a maturation period of five years until flowering.
Lucas Roasting鈥檚 mission statement is, 鈥渢o educate coffee consumers on conditions in the world鈥檚 coffee growing regions while producing incredible coffee.鈥�
As part of a campus-wide dedication to sustainability, Common Grounds began purchasing coffee from Lucas Roasting Company several years ago.
Thursday marks the first time since that agreement that Lucas has given a presentation to the 91短视频 community.
鈥淚鈥檓 here to plant seeds of transformation,鈥� Lucas said. 鈥淓ducating the consumers in the industry is the first step.鈥�
In this regard, 91短视频 is well on its way to sowing the seeds of knowledge. Lucas and Miller were hosted by three student organizations: Peace Fellowship, EarthKeepers, and the Sustainable聽Food Initiative (SFI).
Tyler Eshleman, community coordinator of SFI, played an instrumental role in inviting the speakers and organizing the event. Because of his leadership position, Eshleman interacts with many Harrisonburg community members.
In addition, Eshleman鈥檚 family has purchased coffee from Lucas Roasting since its inception. When asked about their relationship, Eshleman laughed and said, 鈥淟ucas is very concerned about social justice issues. That鈥檚 one of the reasons we get along so well.鈥�
In the spirit of Troy Lucas鈥檚 mission statement, Eshleman plans to continue cultivating the seeds of sustainability here at 91短视频 through SFI. Eshleman hopes all coffee connoisseurs will join him in this endeavor.
– Harrison Horst, Staff Writer