This washed lot is made up from 1,325 small organic growers organised into 25 farmer groups in the subregion of Planadas, South Tolima. These farmers, most of whom continue a family tradition of coffee cultivation, are based at elevations up to 2,050masl and grow the varieties of Colombia, Castillo and Caturra. Planadas is located on the southern tip of the department of Tolima, close to borders with Huila and Cauca. Situated in the foothills of the central mountain range of the Colombian Andes, the region benefits from excellent altitudes, cool temperatures, plentiful sunshine and rain, and rich volcanic soils. Coffee farmers in Tolima are dedicated and traditional. In some areas, their infrastructure is not as developed as in other regions because of the history of conflict. This is the region where FARC guerrilla originated and therefore, communities all across Tolima experienced the cruelest years of conflict in Colombia. As a result, and despite exceptional growing conditions, many farmers were previously isolated from access to extension services, agri-inputs and thriving markets for their coffee. To process this coffee, organically grown cherries are selected, de-pupled and fermented to break down the mucilage. The coffee is then thoroughly washed and dried in a parabolic greenhouse for between 10 and 18 days, depending on the climatic conditions.
