We've known Scott Henderson and Maria Elena Guerra for years - since 1998.  They were both colleagues of ours at the Charles Darwin Research Station back then.   Since, Scott has taken up the job of VP for Conservation International's Latin America Marine program, and Maria Elena is the Chief Administrative Officer for World Wildlife Fund Ecuador.  

But after working hours, they are "walking the talk" and have set up their own organic coffee plantation in the highlands of Santa Cruz island.  I had the pleasure of visiting it for the first time back in November and was so impressed, Heather and I decided to modify the Active Galapagos itinerary to include a stop here instead of at the El Trapiche farm we used to visit. 

And now, I just came across a wonderful little article on the Lava Java estate.  You can click on the link at the end of this article for a great story about them.  

Lava Java coffee is a bit pricier than the usual industrial brew that is shipped in from the continent.   When I asked the manager of a high end ship in Galapagos "Do you use locally grown coffee?", his response was: "You have to realize that people drink a lot of coffee, and it all adds up - so no, we don't - it's too expensive.  We import our coffee".    Yet the owner of the Samba, the small, tourist-superior ship we use for our Active Galapagos trips uses Lava Java coffee exclusively.  The Samba prides itself on working as closely with the local community as possible.  THAT is the difference between supporting the local economy and not caring very much about it.  

https://munchies.vice.com/en/articles/inside-the-galapagos-islands-first-organic-coffee-farm