Coffee School Project

11.07.2025 tildamaria.turunen

The Coffee School Project is transforming abandoned farms into vibrant learning centres where sustainable agriculture meets social good: environmental stewardship, fair economic exchanges, cultural inclusion, and community development – all enabled through coffee.
The Coffee School Project operates impactful community-based initiatives in both El Salvador (Buenos  Aires region) and Colombia (Arhuaco territory), focused on reconnecting farmers, roasters, and nature through sustainable coffee cultivation.

We wanted to highlight this initiative, which is only one of many projects that showcase how collaboration can revive both land and livelihoods in different cultivation areas.

Coffee School Project: El Salvador & Colombia

Origin: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia & Buenos Aires, El Salvador
Team: Rodolfo Ruffatti, Leonhard Wild & Tobias Heppner
Farmers: Arhuaco community (Colombia) & local farmers (El Salvador)

El Salvador – Buenos Aires Project 🇸🇻

In the fertile, volcano-adjacent Buenos Aires region, many farms were abandoned after leaf rust outbreaks in early 2010’s, compounded by low prices, crime and outdated cultivation methods . The Coffee School Project acquired a neglected farm to develop the region using organic methods and a community-focused model.

– Local employment with fair wages
– Education for farmers
– Connecting roasters and farmers
– Reinvestment in local infrastructure

Colombia – Arhuaco Project 🇨🇴

Based in the territory of the indigenous Arhuaco people, the initiative is built on mutual respect and shared sustainability values. The project funds the Arhuaco elementary school and creates long-lasting agricultural partnerships rooted in respect for people and nature.

– Collaborating with indigenous communities
– Education for farmers
– Learning from Arhuaco’s environmental and spiritual practices
– Preservation of culture and land