Mayan Harvest (Rosalba Cifuentes Tovía)

Mayan Harvest is the vision of Rosalba Cifuentes Tovia, a native of Bella Vista, Chiapas, who established the company to advocate for the smallholder farmers in her home community. Raised between Tapachula and the coffee-growing mountains of Bella Vista, Cifuentes Tovia witnessed the challenges faced by local producers firsthand. She founded Mayan Harvest in 2016 to bridge the gap between these remote, family-owned farms and the global specialty coffee market, ensuring that producers receive compensation that reflects the quality of their harvest rather than commodity market prices. Today, she operates the company with a focus on complete traceability and direct partnerships with roasters in the United States, particularly in the Bay Area.

The coffee produced under the Mayan Harvest banner is cultivated by smallholder families, with many farms averaging approximately five acres in size. The region’s high altitude—often reaching 1,700 meters above sea level—combined with abundant fresh water and specific soil conditions, allows farmers to maintain and cultivate traditional coffee varieties such as Bourbon, Caturra, and Catimor. These varieties have adapted to the mountainous terrain of the Chiapas Sierra over several generations, contributing to the distinct flavor profiles often associated with the region, such as notes of candied lemon, apple, caramel, and cinnamon.

In practice, Mayan Harvest functions as an essential link in the supply chain, providing the infrastructure for harvesting, milling, processing, and exporting. Cifuentes Tovia works closely with local producers to refine their agricultural and processing techniques, such as sun-drying and meticulous cherry selection, which are critical for achieving specialty-grade quality. By bypassing traditional commodity market channels, the company secures higher premiums for the farmers, which directly supports their ability to reinvest in their farms, provide for their families, and improve their standard of living.

A significant aspect of Mayan Harvest’s mission is its commitment to social empowerment, particularly for the women of Bella Vista. Cifuentes Tovia has noted that women in the community often manage the heavy workload of farm labor alongside domestic responsibilities. To support them, she has spearheaded initiatives such as the Bella Vista Women’s Group, even fronting the expenses to help them establish their own roasting business. These efforts are designed to provide women with greater financial independence and management experience, ensuring that the benefits of the coffee trade are distributed equitably within the community.

The impact of this work extends beyond simple commerce. Documented outcomes include improved access to healthcare, such as dental campaigns, and the ability for families to fund their children's education through the increased income generated by specialty coffee sales. The organization’s operations are deeply personal; Cifuentes Tovia’s own family members, including her nephew Alexis, have been integral to the daily operations of the harvest, maintaining a connection to the land that has been in their family for centuries.

Despite the success of the project, the region faces ongoing challenges, including security concerns that have made operating in Chiapas increasingly difficult. Cifuentes Tovia has remained steadfast in her commitment, returning to the region to support the community during periods of instability. Her work continues to be recognized by specialty coffee importers and roasters who value the transparency and quality of the coffee she brings to market, solidifying Mayan Harvest’s reputation as a vital force for economic and social development in Bella Vista.