Producer: Yidnekachew Dabessa
Farm: Yidnekachew Coffee Plantation
Region: Wolensu, Limu, Oromia
Altitude: 1,800 - 2,189 masl | 5,905-7,215 feet
Varietal: Heirloom
Process: Natural
Roast: Light-Medium
Notes: Plum, Coriander, Semi-Sweet Chocolate

In Ethiopia, the majority of coffee is produced by smallholder farmers who process their coffees together at cooperatively-owned washing stations. This unique offering, by contrast, is produced by a single-farmer plantation.

The Yidnekachew Coffee Plantation (YDCP) is a 150-acre farm owned by Yidnekachew Dabessa, who worked for more than 15 years as a smallholder farmer before transforming himself into an entrepreneur and large-scale coffee farmer in 2008. His brother, Mesfin Dabessa, holds joint degrees in Agricultural Economics and Business Administration. After spending over a decade in various Ethiopian institutions, he joined his brother as General Manager of the farm.

The YDCP has a four-part mission: Coffee Quality, Economic Value, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Sustainability. The Dabessa brothers are using their combined 30+ years of experience in agriculture and modern farming techniques to produce the highest quality specialty coffee in the region. This high quality gains them a high price, and they are able to reward their 35 permanent and 95 seasonal employees with higher wages and benefits. The brothers are also committed to empowering other smallholders in the region by providing experience exchange and technology transfer. This is all done while giving due emphasis to environmental conservation and protection.