Empowering Coffee Farmers in Gaitania: The Black Condor Project
At Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters, we believe that every great cup of coffee carries a story—one of resilience, passion, and commitment to quality. But the story we are about to share is one that breaks barriers and reminds us that transformative change is possible with the right people, resources, and commitment. We could not be more honored to continue our partnership with Forest Coffee in supporting the Black Condor Project, an initiative transforming the lives of agricultural producers and a community deeply affected by the drug war in Gaitania, Tolima, Colombia.
A Vision for Change
In 2020, Forest Coffee launched the Black Condor Project as part of Forest Academy, with a mission to uplift farmers affected by years of violent conflict in Gaitania. This initiative is more than just a coffee project—it’s a commitment to empowering small-scale producers through education, infrastructure, and fair pricing. In a region that historically relied on coca production to sustain an unstable and dangerous drug economy, our friends at Forest Coffee saw a unique opportunity: to build upon the area's agricultural foundation, leverage its incredible natural resources, and empower the community to forge a new path forward.
Building a Sustainable Coffee Future
The Black Condor Project provides farmers with access to vital resources, including:
✅ A central washing station and processing facility, ensuring consistent quality and efficiency.
✅ Training workshops focused on fermentation, drying, and cupping, so farmers can refine their craft, taste their coffee and understand desirable flavors sought by international markets, and understand the value of their coffee.
✅ Fair pricing, with farmers receiving 18-20% above market rate—around $350,000 COP per carga—ensuring economic stability and long-term sustainability.
Celebrating Quality: Black Condor Graduation 2024
One of the most exciting milestones in this journey is the Black Condor Graduation, where the top farmers in the program are recognized for their excellence in coffee production. This past year, our Green Coffee Buyer, Gracie Lance, was able to travel to Colombia and participate in the graduation ceremony, where 24 producers graduated. Gracie took part in the scoring of the cupping competition, in which the top ten coffees were awarded for their outstanding quality and flavor profiles. (We are so excited to have purchased the 4th place winner - Colombia Holanda Caturra - offered now as a limited single origin offering!)
The winning coffees featured exceptional tasting notes, from the chocolate and tobacco richness of Juan Rua’s natural Papayo to the floral and fruit-forward elegance of Justiniano Paya’s natural Pacamara. Each coffee represents the dedication and artistry of the farmers who have transformed their lives and become a part of our specialty coffee industry, thanks to Forest Coffee. These growers, men and women, are growing their lots at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,900 meters above sea level. Here are a few images of this recent graduation class.
Join the Movement
At Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters, we are proud to showcase coffees from the Black Condor Project, bringing these extraordinary beans to our customers while supporting a movement that is adding value to our specialty coffee industry and building long-term, sustainable growth to a region once ridden with conflict.
We invite you to taste the results of this remarkable project and become part of a story that extends beyond the cup—one of resilience, sustainability, and the pursuit of excellence.
Taste the 4th place winner of the Black Condor Auction - Colombia Holanda Caturra.
