Farmer School for Resilient Communities

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Creating Thriving, Resilient Communities Through Coffee

At Bean Voyage, we believe in a world where smallholder women coffee farmers have the tools, training, and opportunities to build thriving, resilient businesses. Thanks to our continued partnership with The Starbucks Foundation, we are excited to expand the Farmer School for Resilient Communities for the fourth consecutive year!

Our Impact in Costa Rica since 2021

✔ 600+ smallholder women coffee farmers trained in sustainable business management, income diversification, and food security.

✔ $115,000+ in seed funds distributed to support 300+ income-generating projects like beekeeping, poultry farming, coffee tourism, and home gardens.

✔ 1,300+ community members positively impacted through increased household income.

✔ 89% of program graduates reported increased confidence, with 64% stating they wouldn’t have grown their businesses without our support.

The Challenge: Barriers for Women Coffee Farmers

In Latin America, smallholder women coffee farmers face systemic challenges—from gender-based barriers to financial insecurity and climate-related risks. Nearly half (47.6%) of smallholder farmers rely solely on coffee for income, making them vulnerable to market fluctuations and food insecurity.

To address these challenges, Bean Voyage developed the Farmer School for Resilient Communities, a 12-month rural incubator program designed to empower women farmers through training, mentorship, and financial support.

Program Highlights

This year, we’re scaling up our efforts! Our goal is to support 250 smallholder women coffee farmers in Costa Rica, equipping them with the knowledge and resources to create sustainable livelihoods.

✅ Training in climate resilience, agroforestry, and income diversification (including beekeeping, poultry farming, and financial literacy).

✅ $54,000 in seed funds distributed to help farmers launch and expand their businesses.

✅ Strengthening community networks through an alumni program and Farmer Advisory Committee.

✅ Hands-on mentorship and regional boot camps to connect farmers with industry experts and successful alumni.

Timeline

Applications open for 250 farmers.
Hybrid training sessions (virtual + in-person) on empowerment, business growth, and sustainability.
Peer mentorship and advisory support from past graduates.
Seed funding awarded in two phases to support project development.
Impact evaluation to assess progress in income growth and community development
Graduation ceremony & impact report publication.