NICHOLAS HAMMOND

FARM: 

CATALAN DE LAS MERCEDES

ABOUT:

In the town of San Martín Jilotepeque, Nicholas began working on his family farm at a young age and became owner in his 20’s. A student of modern agronomy with a degree in agricultural engineering, he is known at the roastery for his expert processing methods and separating each lot by variety.

Pilot Coffee Roasters co-founder, Andy Wilkin met “Nico” in 2012 during the Cup of Excellence competition in Guatemala. Andy was instantly impressed by his coffees, and since that day, our relationship has been extremely collaborative.

Nicholas’s coffees can be found in our single origin lineup throughout the year, as well as our blends, including ‘COMMUNITY’ where a portion of the proceeds directly support programs for coffee workers and their families at origin.

CATALAN EDUCATION CENTRE

Catalan team members are provided with access to a newly-constructed children’s education centre on the farm. Pilot Coffee Roasters will fund 100% of its operating costs – including teacher wages and daily meals – with proceeds from each Catalan coffee that we purchase.

SPECIFICS:

REGION: 
Chimaltenango, Guatemala

ALTITUDE:
2200m

DURATION: 
Since 2012 

COFFEES RELEASED WITH PILOT: 
33

CERTIFICATION:
Coffees from Catalan De Las Mercedes feature the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal, which helps to assure environmentally and socially responsible production and harvesting practices. The seal is awarded to farms and forestlands that meet the rigorous criteria of the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard or the Forest Stewardship Council.