Episode 52 - Transitioning to Biological Farming – A Conversation with Diego Baraona

In this episode, I travel to the top of the Tecapa volcano in El Salvador to sit down with Diego Baraona, a fifth-generation coffee producer and the owner of Los Pirineos farm. Diego took over the family business in 2020 after his father passed away and he has since become a vital partner in our mission to produce more resilient and mindful coffee. In our conversation, we focus on the progress of the TW Biological Project, an initiative we launched together in 2023 with the goal of transitioning his farming practices toward a regenerative model over a ten-year period. Diego explains how he has managed to drastically reduce his reliance on chemical fertilizers and herbicides, cutting his annual input costs from nearly $100,000 down to just $12,000. This was achieved by building aerobic bioreactors to grow beneficial microorganisms and fungi, such as mycorrhizae, to restore the natural biology of the soil. We discuss the critical role of shade trees, the use of traditional varieties like Pacamara and Bourbon, and his recent experimentation with new genetics like Geisha from Malawi and Arara from Brazil. Beyond the technical information, Diego reflects on the shift in mindset required to be a modern producer: having the patience to let the ecosystem heal and the desire to create a farm that is not only a source of high-quality coffee, but a thriving home for local biodiversity. His optimism after seeing the first visual improvements on the farm is a promising sign that the path toward regenerative agriculture is the right one for the future of specialty coffee.   Music by my uncle Jens Wendelboe.