Author: Kayo Cosio

This is part 5 of a 5-part series on Shade Grown, agroforsestry coffees. Farmers as Part of the Ecosystem Farmers in rainforest agroforestry systems are one species among many, interacting with soil, water, plants, and animals in ways that sustain life. Their labor of planting, pruning, harvesting is not separate from the ecosystem but woven…

This is part 4 of a 5-part series on Shade Grown, agroforsestry coffees. Coffee Growth Within the Rainforest Coffee does not exist in isolation. In a rainforest agroforestry system, it grows beneath a canopy of native trees and alongside diverse understory plants. Sunlight filters through leaves, temperatures are moderated, and soil nutrients cycle naturally. These…

This is part 3 of a 5-part series on Shade Grown, agroforsestry coffees. Pests and Predators in Balance Rainforests are defined by balance. Every insect, bird, reptile, and mammal plays a role that keeps populations in check. When coffee is grown inside this system, it becomes part of the same balance. Insects that might otherwise…

This is part 2 of a 5-part series on Shade Grown, agroforsestry coffees. Soil as a Living System In a rainforest, soil is not just a growing medium but a living system full of microorganisms, fungi, insects, and organic matter. When coffee is grown through agroforestry inside the forest, it becomes part of this cycle…

This is part 1 of a 5-part series on Shade Grown, agroforsestry coffees. Biodiversity as the Foundation of Rainforest Ecosystems Rainforests hold the greatest concentration of biodiversity on Earth. Within even a small area, countless plants, insects, birds, and mammals coexist, each contributing to the balance that sustains the system. Coffee grown through agroforestry inside…