For María Carmen, coffee represents art, livelihood, and family. Yet she faced seasonal income gaps, reliance on external nurseries, and skepticism about women leading in agriculture. Her vision was to take control of her production and demonstrate what women could achieve.

With seed funding, she established her own nursery, managing seedlings from germination to transplant. Through Farmer School, she received mentorship in farm management, technical skills, and leadership, guiding her own family and encouraging others to participate. “Sometimes being a leader isn’t easy, especially as a woman in this community, but the results are visible. Those I’ve invited and guided are now pursuing their own initiatives.”