More and more consumers are demanding shade-grown coffee and are willing to pay a few more cents per cup to enjoy a great tasting beverage with the satisfaction of knowing that they are supporting bird conservation, a healthy environment, and the livelihood of small-scale farm owners.

Certified Bird Friendly® farms benefit from:

• Better tasting coffee: beans ripen more slowly in shade, resulting in a richer flavor
• Protection of soil and water resources from the agroforestry environment
• Pollution control at mills, both wet and dry
• Healthy environments for workers and downstream communities
• Organic matter recycling from the leaf litter generated by the shade trees
• Nitrogen fixing (and soil improvement) from leguminous species of shade trees
• Potential for a premium price in excess of the organic premium
• Wood and fruit products from the shade trees
• Eco-tourism possibilities for birdwatchers, nature lovers and agricultural tourists

These are only some of the benefits you as a farmer may profit from. For more information about the value of Bird Friendly® certification, please contact: Robert Rice.

Certification Criteria

• List of certification agencies
• Criteria for Growing