Stories from the Farm: Life at Finca T Week 6
Another busy and memorable week unfolded at Finca T as the team welcomed a new group of roasters eager to experience life at origin. The schedule looked similar to previous weeks with early mornings, long days, and plenty of coffee, but the excitement was as fresh as ever. Watching new guests fall in love with the farm never seems to lose its spark.
Rather than revisiting the usual cuppings, composting tours, and sunrise hikes, this week stood out for the stories behind the familiar routines.
Día de los Muertos in Corquín
Corquín came alive for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a cherished Honduran tradition dedicated to honoring loved ones who have passed. Instead of candy and costumes, families spend the day visiting the cemetery with flowers, food, and cleaning supplies to care for the graves of relatives.
Corquín has one main cemetery, and it fills quickly. Cremation is rare in this region, so space is limited, and on this day the grounds overflow with people. The cemetery also sits along the main road leading to Finca T, creating a lively scene of walking crowds, moto taxis weaving between vehicles, cars parked in every direction, and pickup trucks overflowing with flowers. It may look chaotic from the outside, but it is a kind of chaos filled with heart. Thousands pause their daily lives to celebrate the lives of those they miss, and the beauty of that tradition is unmistakable.
A Road in Need of More Than a Metaphor
This week marked the beginning of long-awaited roadwork between Corquín and Finca T. Those who have traveled the route know it is no easy drive. The four kilometers of dirt and deep potholes make even slow trips jarring.
Many wonder why the farm takes responsibility for the repairs. Marcial, the farm director, has served on the local development board for years and has pushed tirelessly for government funding. Unfortunately, funding rarely reaches this region. Like many communities in rural Honduras, the people often have to solve the problem themselves.
Each year, neighboring farmers and businesses come together with donations of funds, machinery, labor, or fuel. Some participate, while others rely on the fact that the work will be done regardless and they will benefit later. It can be frustrating, but persistence remains at the core of the effort.
Cementing the entire road would transform access and safety, but the cost makes that dream a long-term goal. For now, the focus is on making the road more passable each year, one improvement at a time.
New Faces on the Farm
The week also brought some lighter news: new animals. Two calves were born on the farm, bringing even more charm to the daily routine. But the biggest surprise came in the form of four peacocks.
The story began when a friend sent Marcial a photo of the birds. One look was all it took for the team to decide they were a perfect addition to the farm’s ecosystem. A few weeks later, the peacocks arrived at Finca T and quickly became the talk of the farm.
Peacocks require a 30–day acclimation period before they can be released, so a spacious enclosure was built to keep them safe and comfortable. Just outside their temporary home sits an even larger area filled with fruit trees and natural vegetation, designed to encourage them to stay once they are fully free. With how enthusiastically they have taken to their food and environment, it seems the plan is working.
Closing Out Week Six
With six weeks now complete, the Finca T crew prepared to head back to Atlanta to reconnect with the Alma team. Whether plans stayed on track or a last-minute decision extended their stay is a detail that remains a mystery for now.
More stories are on the way next week. While you wait, discover our roasts and let a little bit of Honduras find its way to your cup.
