March, 21, 2014 - A wherehouse worker ties bags of green coffee closed to be stored for world-wide shipment at a co-op, Coopertiva de Caficultores de Andes in the town of Jardin in the Department Antioquia region of Colombia.<br /> Story Summary:<br /> Deep in the verdant valleys of Colombia&rsquo;s Department Antioquia region is Fabio Alonso Reyes Cano&rsquo;s coffee finca. Finca La Siemeona has been in Cano&rsquo;s family for generations. <br /> He and two workers farm the 5-acres of land as his ancestors did, bean by bean.  It is a tradition that has dwindled amid modern day farming techniques that harvest quicker but the selectively picked ripe deep red cherries are picked individually by hand for the best quality. &lsquo;Grain by grain&rsquo; processing allows for greater control over that quality of one of Colombia&rsquo;s top exports.  It also may help save an industry that is seeing firsthand the effects of climate change.<br /> Cano takes pride in the organic process, which he practices out of respect for nature and the land he was born and raised on.  A businessman, Cano keeps his eyes on way to grow but he also takes seriously his role as steward, encouraging biodiversity and employing natural pest control on the finca.  His practices are at odds with other coffee farmers, who have adopted more industrialized techniques. <br /> Climate change threatens a way of life that supports about 92,000 families nationwide and serves as one of Colombia&rsquo;s economic backbones.  Colombian coffee production has declined in recent years due to regional climate change associated with global warming as both the average temperatures have risen and an increase in rainfall.  The trend disrupts the specific climate requirements to grow the Coffea Arabica bean, and a way of life.  (Credit Image: &copy; Eric Reed/ZUMAPRESS.com)
{}