Gaharo Hill

The story

Gaharo Hill is the site where the Long Miles Coffee Project began in 2011, founded by Ben and Kristy Carlson. The project's first washing station, Bukeye, was constructed at the foot of the hill using bricks sourced from the valley and land cleared by local farmers. The hill serves as a central community for the project, with many station employees and their families residing in the area.

Challenges

Coffee production in the region faces significant hurdles including aging trees, soil degradation, and outdated farming practices. These factors, combined with unpredictable weather cycles and political instability, contribute to volatile harvest yields.

Innovations

The Long Miles Coffee Project introduced a farmer-focused model that provides year-round agronomic support, training, and transparent cherry pricing. Their processing approach involves meticulous hand-sorting, floating, and drying on traditional African raised beds for 16-20 days.