George Howell's recent photos

Isaias Cantillo Osa met us in the town of Suaza and led us on his motorcycle to his 2007 first place Cup of Excellence farm, La Esperanza, in the mountains.

2009-06-03T11:15:33Z

George Howell
Isaias Cantillo Osa met us in the town of Suaza and led us on his motorcycle to his 2007 first place Cup of Excellence farm, La Esperanza, in the mountains.

Another great fruit, called uchua, like a very sweet tomato.

2009-06-03T11:32:37Z

George Howell
Another great fruit, called uchua, like a very sweet tomato.

The flowers of grenadilla, a passion fruit.

2009-06-03T11:31:42Z

George Howell
The flowers of grenadilla, a passion fruit.

Grenadilla: you eat the seeds, like pomegranate.

2009-06-03T11:31:16Z

George Howell
Grenadilla: you eat the seeds, like pomegranate.

Granadilla

2009-04-26T06:38:44Z

George Howell
Granadilla

Vines of Grenadilla, a delicious fruit of perfumed sweet citrus-like flavor.

2009-06-03T11:30:33Z

George Howell
Vines of Grenadilla, a delicious fruit of perfumed sweet citrus-like flavor.

We leave La Esperanza.....

2009-06-03T11:27:51Z

George Howell
We leave La Esperanza.....

The drying area.

2009-06-03T11:27:31Z

George Howell
The drying area.

After the coffee has been washed and is still very wet it is predried on the racks below, left. Then it is brought above where air passes through continuously to evenly dry the beans. Fina ...

2009-06-03T11:27:00Z

George Howell
After the coffee has been washed and is still very wet it is predried on the racks below, left. Then it is brought above where air passes through continuously to evenly dry the beans. Fina ...

Isaias' home in the background. In the foreground is a structure he built for drying his coffees, based on the parabola.

2009-06-03T11:21:26Z

George Howell
Isaias' home in the background. In the foreground is a structure he built for drying his coffees, based on the parabola.

A day on the farm....

2009-06-03T11:19:23Z

George Howell
A day on the farm....

Mr. Cantillo's home.

2009-06-03T11:18:56Z

George Howell
Mr. Cantillo's home.

Isaias Cantillo Osa.

2009-06-03T11:18:30Z

George Howell
Isaias Cantillo Osa.

San Bernardo variety?

2009-06-03T11:17:50Z

George Howell
San Bernardo variety?

Coffee surrounded by bamboo.

2009-06-03T11:17:34Z

George Howell
Coffee surrounded by bamboo.

Isaias' farm - coffee trees under bamboo. La Esperanze grows five different varieties of Arabica coffee.

2009-04-26T07:03:51Z

George Howell
Isaias' farm - coffee trees under bamboo. La Esperanze grows five different varieties of Arabica coffee.

La Esperanza is the thick diagonal of trees from lower left to upper right. The brighter green patch is bamboo. It is surrounded by other farms with far less shade to protect the soil.

2009-04-26T07:02:20Z

George Howell
La Esperanza is the thick diagonal of trees from lower left to upper right. The brighter green patch is bamboo. It is surrounded by other farms with far less shade to protect the soil.

Small coffee farms in south Huila.

2009-04-28T10:37:40Z

George Howell
Small coffee farms in south Huila.

Yes, the bridge moved quite a bit!

2009-04-28T10:37:10Z

George Howell
Yes, the bridge moved quite a bit!

We follow Isaias and his son on motorcycle over this bridge.....

2009-04-26T06:58:46Z

George Howell
We follow Isaias and his son on motorcycle over this bridge.....

George Howell's photo

2009-04-26T05:42:35Z

George Howell

On the road in the southern part of Huila state.

2009-04-26T06:56:43Z

George Howell
On the road in the southern part of Huila state.

Julio Cesar was staying at CIREC, Foundation Colombian Center for Integrated Rehabilitation, when I visited. After over a year of extensive therapy he had received a prosthesis and was now ...

2009-06-03T11:11:59Z

George Howell
Julio Cesar was staying at CIREC, Foundation Colombian Center for Integrated Rehabilitation, when I visited. After over a year of extensive therapy he had received a prosthesis and was now ...

Later in the day I met with Julio Cesar Munoz, owner of El Placer farm in Planadas, state of Tolima. In 2006 El Placer won the Cup of Excellence Presidential award (over 90 points received ...

2009-06-03T11:11:13Z

George Howell
Later in the day I met with Julio Cesar Munoz, owner of El Placer farm in Planadas, state of Tolima. In 2006 El Placer won the Cup of Excellence Presidential award (over 90 points received ...

One of many cupping sessions at the Virmax office in Bogota. My daughter, who is our conpamy quality control officer, Jennifer, accompanied me for the first time. She is cupping here along ...

2009-04-26T05:50:11Z

George Howell
One of many cupping sessions at the Virmax office in Bogota. My daughter, who is our conpamy quality control officer, Jennifer, accompanied me for the first time. She is cupping here along ...

Sisal fibers drying.

2009-04-14T10:50:23Z

George Howell
Sisal fibers drying.

Kaboulle Cique

2009-04-14T10:49:50Z

George Howell
Kaboulle Cique

Extracting the fibers by hand.

2009-04-14T10:49:50Z

George Howell
Extracting the fibers by hand.

Sisal is a cactus.

2009-04-14T10:51:04Z

George Howell
Sisal is a cactus.

On the road we see Kaboulle Cique, the sisal plant belonging to the Agavaceae family. Colombian coffee is traditionally packaged and shipped in 70 kg. bags made from their fibers.

2009-04-14T10:30:48Z

George Howell
On the road we see Kaboulle Cique, the sisal plant belonging to the Agavaceae family. Colombian coffee is traditionally packaged and shipped in 70 kg. bags made from their fibers.

DSCN0444_edited-copy.JPG

2009-04-14T06:29:07Z

George Howell
DSCN0444_edited-copy.JPG

Variedad de Colombia with yellow ripening fruit.

2009-04-14T07:20:39Z

George Howell
Variedad de Colombia with yellow ripening fruit.

Owner of Las Faldas del Cerro farm, Edgar Martinez.

2009-04-14T09:26:07Z

George Howell
Owner of Las Faldas del Cerro farm, Edgar Martinez.

The giant coffee cherries of Maragogypes.

2009-04-14T07:18:52Z

George Howell
The giant coffee cherries of Maragogypes.

We were often invited to lunch and usually served chicken. The soups were especially delicious.

2009-04-13T12:08:15Z

George Howell
We were often invited to lunch and usually served chicken. The soups were especially delicious.

This farm is called Casa Quemada, Burned House.

2009-04-14T07:27:09Z

George Howell
This farm is called Casa Quemada, Burned House.

George Howell's photo

2009-04-26T05:09:04Z

George Howell

Rain and blue sky alternate.

2009-04-13T12:03:36Z

George Howell
Rain and blue sky alternate.

As we drive by....

2009-06-03T11:01:01Z

George Howell
As we drive by....

George Howell's photo

2009-04-26T05:08:40Z

George Howell

George Howell's photo

2009-04-26T05:09:06Z

George Howell

Edgar is a committed cyclist with many trophies.

2009-04-14T07:22:38Z

George Howell
Edgar is a committed cyclist with many trophies.

George Howell's photo

2009-04-14T07:22:00Z

George Howell

Edgar's family.

2009-04-14T07:23:10Z

George Howell
Edgar's family.

We enter the lush Finca Faldas del Cerro, meaning the lower slopes, or folds, of the the hill.

2009-04-14T07:16:56Z

George Howell
We enter the lush Finca Faldas del Cerro, meaning the lower slopes, or folds, of the the hill.

We approach our next farm.

2009-04-14T07:17:33Z

George Howell
We approach our next farm.

The Badis sisters....

2009-04-13T11:57:52Z

George Howell
The Badis sisters....

Mom.

2009-04-13T11:58:06Z

George Howell
Mom.

The El Cucho clan and neighbors. Ermes Lasso, owner of El Cucho, and his wife are to the far left.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
The El Cucho clan and neighbors. Ermes Lasso, owner of El Cucho, and his wife are to the far left.

Alejandra Cadena even more inspired than usual. Talking agriculture, not ....

2009-06-03T10:52:20Z

George Howell
Alejandra Cadena even more inspired than usual. Talking agriculture, not ....

With his lovely daughter....

2009-06-03T10:30:43Z

George Howell
With his lovely daughter....

We drove out of La Union, past coffee beans laid out to dry.....

2009-04-13T10:30:14Z

George Howell
We drove out of La Union, past coffee beans laid out to dry.....

A wall of green coffee cherries....

2009-04-14T07:18:12Z

George Howell
A wall of green coffee cherries....

We next visited La Samaria of Segundo Bados whose very sweet coffee Terroir was roasting in the winter of 2008-2009 . Here we see Segundo Sr. and Jr..

2009-06-03T10:55:32Z

George Howell
We next visited La Samaria of Segundo Bados whose very sweet coffee Terroir was roasting in the winter of 2008-2009 . Here we see Segundo Sr. and Jr..

And yet nearby no damage at all.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
And yet nearby no damage at all.

2008 was a bad weather year for Colombian farmers. Powerful hail and wind storms swept through. This field shows the damage months later.

2009-06-03T10:51:55Z

George Howell
2008 was a bad weather year for Colombian farmers. Powerful hail and wind storms swept through. This field shows the damage months later.

I visited El Cucho (Old Man), which Terroir Coffee was roasting in April 2009.

2009-06-03T10:51:32Z

George Howell
I visited El Cucho (Old Man), which Terroir Coffee was roasting in April 2009.

George Howell's photo

2009-04-03T10:40:20Z

George Howell

This is Harold Dominguez owner of Casa Quemada. He holds a model he made of a structure for drying coffee beans.

2009-04-14T07:27:45Z

George Howell
This is Harold Dominguez owner of Casa Quemada. He holds a model he made of a structure for drying coffee beans.

A.U.C. stands for Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, the paramilitary United Self Defense Forces of Colombia. See: http://www.cfr.org/publication/15239/colombias_rightwing_paramilitaries_and_ ...

2009-04-26T05:09:01Z

George Howell
A.U.C. stands for Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, the paramilitary United Self Defense Forces of Colombia. See: http://www.cfr.org/publication/15239/colombias_rightwing_paramilitaries_and_ ...

Coffee trees in the foreground.....

2009-04-13T12:02:05Z

George Howell
Coffee trees in the foreground.....

Yet another view from Alto Bonito.

2009-06-03T10:50:10Z

George Howell
Yet another view from Alto Bonito.

- past the outskirts of La Union.

2009-04-13T10:30:14Z

George Howell
- past the outskirts of La Union.

George Howell's photo

2009-04-14T07:22:00Z

George Howell

George Howell's photo

2009-04-14T07:22:00Z

George Howell

George Howell's photo

2009-04-14T07:22:00Z

George Howell

This part of Colombia reminds me of Peru's mountain walls.

2009-04-14T09:47:30Z

George Howell
This part of Colombia reminds me of Peru's mountain walls.

We leave Villa Flor on our way to Pasto, capital of Narino state. Here is where the mountain ranges merge together into a massive block.

2009-04-26T05:14:41Z

George Howell
We leave Villa Flor on our way to Pasto, capital of Narino state. Here is where the mountain ranges merge together into a massive block.

The land of Gabriel Marquez.....

2009-04-13T12:01:38Z

George Howell
The land of Gabriel Marquez.....

This is Marco Aurelio Ortega, his wife Eri Arteaga and daughter Jeimy Melissa Ortega. His farm, Villa Flor, has produced the finest lots I have cupped from Narino two years in a row.

2009-04-26T05:08:44Z

George Howell
This is Marco Aurelio Ortega, his wife Eri Arteaga and daughter Jeimy Melissa Ortega. His farm, Villa Flor, has produced the finest lots I have cupped from Narino two years in a row.

Harvest just the red ripe fruit.

2009-04-14T09:38:49Z

George Howell
Harvest just the red ripe fruit.

Red Caturra coffee cherries.

2009-04-14T09:38:15Z

George Howell
Red Caturra coffee cherries.

Coffee flowers.

2009-04-14T09:39:16Z

George Howell
Coffee flowers.

Marco Aurelio is terracing the steeper slopes, not seen often in the parts of Colombia I have visited....

2009-04-14T09:37:50Z

George Howell
Marco Aurelio is terracing the steeper slopes, not seen often in the parts of Colombia I have visited....

Marco Aurelio has always farmed organically but only obtained certification recently. He grows a great diversity of plants, many herbal both for pleasure and healing. This was taken during ...

2009-04-14T09:35:37Z

George Howell
Marco Aurelio has always farmed organically but only obtained certification recently. He grows a great diversity of plants, many herbal both for pleasure and healing. This was taken during ...

- while this photo was taken during the dry season.

2009-04-14T09:36:21Z

George Howell
- while this photo was taken during the dry season.

Marco Aurelio with his beans drying inside his "parabola." Outside it is raining. He keeps the ends slightly open to keep ventilation going, crucial to keep the drying process on track. P ...

2009-06-03T11:07:35Z

George Howell
Marco Aurelio with his beans drying inside his "parabola." Outside it is raining. He keeps the ends slightly open to keep ventilation going, crucial to keep the drying process on track. P ...

And this is from a calendar I saw in an office which has Villa Flor in it; it shows the reforestation of his farm a number of years ago. Marco Aurelio can barely be seen in the back wearing ...

2009-06-03T11:04:01Z

George Howell
And this is from a calendar I saw in an office which has Villa Flor in it; it shows the reforestation of his farm a number of years ago. Marco Aurelio can barely be seen in the back wearing ...

This is Marco Aurelio's business card and those are Africanized bees on him and his sons. The honey, which I would love to import down the road, is organic and delicious.

2009-04-14T09:40:23Z

George Howell
This is Marco Aurelio's business card and those are Africanized bees on him and his sons. The honey, which I would love to import down the road, is organic and delicious.

Back on the road....

2009-04-14T09:27:55Z

George Howell
Back on the road....

Aleco leads the way through the organic certified Finca Oasis.

2009-04-13T12:02:46Z

George Howell
Aleco leads the way through the organic certified Finca Oasis.

Planting coffee. A real effort is being made here to control erosion,

2009-04-26T05:09:20Z

George Howell
Planting coffee. A real effort is being made here to control erosion,

Shade trees, called Guamo, of the Inga family, protecting the coffee. These trees are also leguminous, providing nitrogen for healthy growth of the coffee plant.

2009-06-03T11:00:20Z

George Howell
Shade trees, called Guamo, of the Inga family, protecting the coffee. These trees are also leguminous, providing nitrogen for healthy growth of the coffee plant.

The town of Santa Cecilia. The colored sign on the building reads: "Responsibility increases the repect one has for oneself." The smaller sign on the building says: "Do you love your town? ...

2009-06-03T10:59:47Z

George Howell
The town of Santa Cecilia. The colored sign on the building reads: "Responsibility increases the repect one has for oneself." The smaller sign on the building says: "Do you love your town? ...

Coffee cherries and blossoms

2009-04-13T12:28:44Z

George Howell
Coffee cherries and blossoms

Coffee blossoms.

2009-04-13T12:28:23Z

George Howell
Coffee blossoms.

We passed this lovely place as we walked back up to the road.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
We passed this lovely place as we walked back up to the road.

Jeremias called this plant Avispa and said it fixed phosphorus in the soil. Phosphorus is particularly important for root development. He said its flowers were pollinated by honey bees at t ...

2009-06-03T10:50:51Z

George Howell
Jeremias called this plant Avispa and said it fixed phosphorus in the soil. Phosphorus is particularly important for root development. He said its flowers were pollinated by honey bees at t ...

The beehive...,.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
The beehive...,.

The tiny native stingless bee

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
The tiny native stingless bee

He showed me a native stingless bee's hive attached to a coffee tree.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
He showed me a native stingless bee's hive attached to a coffee tree.

Segundo Lasso, Wbeimar's cousin. We will be roasting his coffee in the fall as well.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
Segundo Lasso, Wbeimar's cousin. We will be roasting his coffee in the fall as well.

Jeremias Lasso, Wbeimar's uncle. Jeremias is farming organically but without certification, which costs a great deal to get. He gave me a tour of the Lasso families' farms.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
Jeremias Lasso, Wbeimar's uncle. Jeremias is farming organically but without certification, which costs a great deal to get. He gave me a tour of the Lasso families' farms.

Marco Aurelio Lasso, Wbeimar's father. We will feature his coffee sometime in the fall.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
Marco Aurelio Lasso, Wbeimar's father. We will feature his coffee sometime in the fall.

Alejandro Ahumado, Wbeimar's father-in-law. His farm is called La Cristalina.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
Alejandro Ahumado, Wbeimar's father-in-law. His farm is called La Cristalina.

The next day we went to the El Tapiche wet mill. This is where Wbeimar Lasso's extended family members bring their coffees for processing. Their small farms surround the mill.

2009-06-03T10:33:11Z

George Howell
The next day we went to the El Tapiche wet mill. This is where Wbeimar Lasso's extended family members bring their coffees for processing. Their small farms surround the mill.

Segundo Bravo dries his beans in the attic of his roof....

2009-06-03T10:33:46Z

George Howell
Segundo Bravo dries his beans in the attic of his roof....

Segundo Bravo, owner of Alto Bonito.

2009-04-13T10:30:15Z

George Howell
Segundo Bravo, owner of Alto Bonito.

Spent coffee flowers and the setting of coffee cherries, which will take al least 8 months to ripen.

2009-06-03T10:33:26Z

George Howell
Spent coffee flowers and the setting of coffee cherries, which will take al least 8 months to ripen.

Alto Bonito is a well shaded farm with considerable plant diversity.

2009-06-03T10:33:22Z

George Howell
Alto Bonito is a well shaded farm with considerable plant diversity.