The Project: Finca Peru Paris is a family farm that has been in business for 130 years in the Sierra Madre region of Chiapas, Mexico. This 256-hectare organic coffee farm is both Rainforest Alliance Certified and Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certified. In addition to commercializing sustainably harvested coffee, the farm has set aside 30 hectares for conservation and natural regeneration of native species.

The Deal: In October 2006, Verde Ventures approved an $80,000 rotating line of credit for three years to assist Finca Peru Paris with its working capital needs to harvest, process, and export shade-grown coffee.

The Benefit to Conservation: Finca Peru Paris is located in the buffer zone of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas Biosphere Reserve in the Mesoamerica biodiversity hotspot. This investment in Finca Peru Paris ties with other Verde Ventures investments around the Sierra Madre de Chiapas and provides connectivity to this important protected area. In addition to directly impacting 256 hectares of critical buffer habitat, this investment benefits 172 people who are employed by the business.