Taferi Kela began as a two-hectare family coffee farm and a vision shared by their grandmother after their grandfather Syoum passed away: to keep the farm as a safe home for neighbours, where community members could learn, work together and build a future through coffee. For years the land had been neglected due to the income pressures faced by smallholders in the area. Ageing coffee trees were in decline, eucalyptus had spread and depleted the soil, and there were few alternative livelihoods or local job opportunities.

After inheriting the farm, the focus first shifted to restoring the original two hectares to health, then expanding to 20 hectares. This meant replanting coffee to improve cherry quality and removing old trees and invasive eucalyptus. The goal was to develop a model farm that produces specialty coffee while also acting as a learning centre for neighbouring farmers, sharing practical knowledge on cultivation and farm management to support collective progress.

A major barrier was access to seedlings of newer, climate-resilient varieties, so Taferi Kela established its own nursery. The first year began with around 10,000 seeds, and the nursery has since grown into a key resource for the wider community. Each year, approximately 350,000 surplus high-quality seedlings are distributed to local farmers, supporting farm renewal and higher-quality harvests across the area, while strengthening relationships for cherry sourcing.

The farm, nursery and a purpose-built wet mill have also become an important source of employment and skills development. In 2025, more than 106 people were employed full-time, with work spread across nursery operations and coffee processing and drying. This structure allows for hands-on training in cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest practices, and has enabled some team members to pursue formal coffee qualifications.

Alongside coffee production, Taferi Kela is investing in long-term community resilience. Plans include developing simple lodging to host visitors, workshops and farm groups, generating additional income to support operations and expand local employment. Environmental restoration is also underway through a rewilding project, gradually reclaiming nearby grasslands that were once forest. By acquiring and regenerating these areas in collaboration with local farmers, vegetation is returning and wildlife is becoming more abundant, supporting biodiversity and the long-term health of the landscape.

Details provided by Falcon Speciality