With money earned from a coffee fundraiser by Libby, a Champlain Valley Union highschool student, and with additional donations from our VBSR friends [Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility], our farm was able to build a coop and purchase chickens for eggs and meat.

Our farm volunteer, Dylan, has outlined the goals of the Chicken Project:

1. 1)provide a source of income for members of the community,
   

2. 2)generate manure to use for compost,
   

3. 3)produce meat and eggs to sell to the Finca and to members of the community
   

4. 4)provide an example of a an agribusiness opportunity for people in the community.
   

Here is Libby’s story:

Before starting this project I had very little knowledge of coffee and

the coffee industry. I took for granted the effort that is necessary to

getting coffee into my cup. From the woody perennial evergreen that is

the coffee plant, to pulping and drying, to the certified organic

decaffeination process, my sip of coffee means so much more than I ever

imagined. I have a new appreciation for organic and fair trade products,

and I will be more aware of these certifications from now on. With the

help of Vermont Coffee Company I developed Redhawk Roast and Redhawk Roast decaffeinated to sell to the Champlain Valley Union High School community. Students and teachers alike were eager in helping me raise enough money to support Finca Alta Gracia and the Community Chicken Program.

When determining which company to work with for my project, I did a bit

of research online. I knew I wanted a local company with a great product

but there was something that struck me about Vermont Coffee Company. I

saw their motto "Coffee Roasted for Friends" and became very curious

about whose friends they were talking about, and what this has to do

with coffee roasting. Throughout my Graduation Challenge learning

experience I discovered the answers to these questions. I learned that

good coffee takes fresh beans, proper harvesting, and precise

preparation, but most importantly it takes passion. Whether roasting,

cupping, or selling, the most important ingredient in good coffee is

always remembering that you are creating the perfect blend not just for

you, but for your friends.