Juan Pablo and the Argote project have been intertwined with This Side Up since the start. In 2014 during our first visit, the project was just Juan Pablo, his father and a dream of direct trade. Fast forward to today, 21 smallholder farmer families export their coffees directly, but more than that, have formed a community. Together they process coffees, create rich compost and regenerate soils - all influenced greatly by their extensive knowledge of microorganisms. Juan Pablo sees three main areas of impact for the coffee growing community of Genova: economic stability, restoring soils to their pre-fertilisation state and fostering direct relationships through the Field Barista Project.

JUAN PABLO LASSO

“ Impact is to be able to change the minds of exporters, farmers and everyone else in the value chain by showing them the economic stability that can be achieved through producing coffee. The quest to keep improving and producing better quality coffee is a mindset that needs to be internalised and practiced.”

  • Achievements so far: The lifestyle has improved because of earning more through coffee. When his sister and their family moved back from the city, they began working in coffee and with him. They could see the visible difference in their kids being happy with this life. Furthermore, the number of young people working on a farm has increased.

    2023 update: The number of young farmers working together have been increasing in the last few years. The older farmers in the region including his family continue to export through Argote estates and have been actively open to foster direct roaster relationships through This Side Up. The older farmers are also open to innovating and learning new coffee processes other than the traditional methods to earn a higher income.

    What the future holds: Each year JP wants to increase the number of farmers he works together with to export their coffees atleast by 10. He also wants to diversify into different crops like cacao and others that are native to that region so more people can be involved. Essentially increase the job opportunities in this region, higher incomes and stable livelihoods.

  • Achievements so far : More than 25 groups of coffee professionals and enthusiasts have been part of the Field Barista Project in the last 7-8 years. It has led to both the strengthening of existing roaster- farmer relationships and have paved way to new ones.

    2023 update: Adiela Argote, an 83 year old farmer found home for her all of her coffees with Roast Factory in The Hague. They have adopted her entire harvest and will also start working with her to innovate on other processing techniques in the coming years. Schot coffee visited their farmer partner Jesus Ceron and also supported this year's Field Barista Project.

    What the future holds: JP will continue to host FBP and bring as many coffee professionals, enthusiasts until all the farmers find a home for their coffees through direct relationships. Facilitate producers already in direct relationships to work on different processing techniques to stay relevant in the specialty coffee market

  • Achievements so far : Read more about the Training Training hub

    2023 update : John Ceron and Veronica Argote attended a course by Jairo Restrepo Rivera of “La Mierda de Vaca” on regenerative agriculture. Juan Pablo has managed to organize a workshop for 40 farmers belonging to the Argote community and has invited Jairo to train them on agroforestry model and regenerative agricultural practices. Mathieu Clerkx from This Side Up has lent the capital needed to organize this workshop which will be immensely valuable for the producers.

    What the future holds: Bringing more experts to the field and organizing workshops, helping other farmers develop biofertilizers suitable for their farms, attract younger generation to learn, experiment and produce coffee. Finally make the center available for learning and sharing throughout the year

  • Achievement so far : Involve younger farmers to work together with Argote and cultivate coffee organically. Working together with Marcel, one of the youngest farmers in the group to learn more about other coffee species that cater to the market demands. Sending farmers to learn more about Agroforestry and regenerative agriculture through a course with Jairo Restrepo Rivera. Observed the return of bees, butterflies back to JP's farms because of productivity from land.

    2023 Update : JP was able to send samples of a naturally lower caffeinated variety called Laurina (washed, natural) TSU and Shokunin for cupping and understand it's demand for market viability in Europe

    What does the future holds: Planting newer varieties after consultation and cooperation with the roasters, Argote closely works. Doing soil tests to learn more about the microbial activity, soil composition and nutrient requirement for first his farm and then the rest.Measuring organic life, biodiversity in farm