AIPEP, the Associacion Integral de Productores Ecologicos de Pumiri, is a primary-level producer cooperative with approximately 64 members, located in Pumiri, province of Caranavi, Bolivia. The founding members have worked hard to construct impressive internal systems for excellent organic production and quality control, as well as solid mechanisms for assuring participation and administrative oversight by the members.
AIPEP leaders hope to incorporate surrounding farmers to the cooperative but for now are focusing on improving yields and securing markets. Nonetheless, the organization shows great potential for growth. AIPEP has been certified by IMO Control since 2002, but for years had been unable to export directly, nor be adequately compensated for their organic investment.
We use their beans as a year long single origin and also in some of our blends like, El Salvador Dali, Dr Mojo, and Woodstock.
One day, it occurred to Larry that every time he turned on a light or booted up his computer, he was voting for removing mountain tops in W. Virginia to fuel coal-fired power plants. That's not what we want, so we went gonzo to reduce our electrical use (we're still working at it).
We do our best to achieve zero waste. From composting our food waste, recycling, and reusing what we can.
We have 5 cisterns around the beanplant, totaling 2,500 gallons. We use them to run our bathrooms and water our gardens helping to conserve water!
Read more about sustainablity practices at the Larry's facility.