In 1977, Samuel Coto Escobar purchased Finca El Platanillo, passing management to his son Stuardo Coto in 1985. Since then, Stuardo has prioritized ecosystem balance, community welfare, coffee quality, and productivity.
By aligning environmental protection with farm operations, Finca El Platanillo easily met standards for major certifications like Rainforest Alliance and 4C. The farm has maintained Rainforest Alliance certification since 2005 and was the first globally to implement its Climate Module. Community initiatives include providing fresh water and vegetable gardens for residents. Education has also been central: the farm’s original 1978 school evolved into the Nuevo Platanillo School in 2002 on donated farm land, which features a computer lab with internet access. Additionally, the farm co-pioneered the award-winning “Bachillerato en Ciencias y Letras con Diplomado en Café” program with Funcafe. To optimize quality and yield, Stuardo studies roughly 100 varietals in an on-site garden to select and plant those best suited to the microclimate.
