Episode 53 - Adapting coffee farms to prepare for the future – A Conversation with Moises Herrera from Finca el Puente

In this intimate and insightful episode of the Tim Wendelboe Podcast, host Tim visits Finca El Puente in Honduras, home to renowned producers Marisabel Caballero and Moises Herrera. The conversation centers on the challenges and innovations shaping their coffee farms, particularly in response to climate change and evolving sustainability practices. Moises shares how last year’s severe frost devastated yields—reducing a planned 70 bags of Geisha to just 35, requiring up to ten passes through color sorters to salvage quality—while this year’s harvest has been remarkably strong despite a late cold snap that delayed ripening but spared the beans. The core focus of the episode is the launch of the Biophilia project, a bold shift toward regenerative, biologically driven farming that replaces chemical inputs with organic sprays, enhances biodiversity, and integrates native shade trees. Moises explains how this holistic approach, though initially more labor-intensive and costly, is already showing benefits in soil health, tree resilience, and overall farm vitality. The episode also reflects on the long-term nature of coffee farming—emphasizing that meaningful change, especially in variety selection and farm management, takes a decade or more to realize. Tim and Moises conclude with optimism, underscoring that true progress in coffee comes not from chasing trends, but from patience, deep connection to the land, and a commitment to long-term stewardship.