Gladys Erazo

Gladys Erazo is more than just a coffee farmer; she is a passionate steward of the land and an active force in her community. As a dedicated member of the local coffee growers’ association, APECAEL, Gladys plays a vital role in not only cultivating exceptional coffee but also in nurturing the environment. Through the association, she collaborates with fellow farmers to produce organic fertilizers, sharing the bounty with her neighbors when there’s a surplus. This spirit of collaboration is matched by the support she receives—consultations with agro-engineers, coffee processing experts, and other professionals help her continuously improve her farm’s productivity and sustainability.

Gladys’ farm, Cutanapamba, is a small but thriving piece of land nestled between rolling hills and shaded by a diverse canopy of trees. For the past 20 years, since she was a young adult, Gladys has poured her heart into cultivating Bourbon and Typica varietals on her 1.8-hectare farm. Despite its modest size, Cutanapamba produces around 600 kg of parchment coffee each year, all meticulously washed to ensure the highest quality.

But coffee is just one part of Gladys’ story. She is also a skilled beekeeper, tending to hives that produce honey, which she sells in local markets. This second source of income not only sustains her farm but also enriches her connection to the land and her community.

Cutanapamba is more than just a coffee farm; it’s a sanctuary of biodiversity, bordered by a river that flows directly from the pristine Podocarpus National Park. For Gladys, farming is not just a livelihood—it’s a lifelong commitment to the land, the community, and the rich tradition of coffee cultivation that she is proud to carry forward.