A Journey to the Birthplace of Humanity and the Cradle of Civilization!

Designed to give participants the opportunity to learn about organic coffee production in the coffee growing regions of Sidamo, Harar, and Yrgacheffe.

Home to the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia offers its visitors an outstanding array of cultural and environmental diversity. Accounting for nearly 60% of its’ GDP, more than 15 million families rely on coffee for its income in Ethiopia. Over 95% of the farmers are small scale growers with less than 2 acres.

Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, comprised of the Oromo people have created the first ever Union to bypass the national auction – increasing much needed income for growers throughout the state of Oromo. Working together in small scale cooperatives they have created direct links with coffee buyers around the world. Join us on a trip to learn about fair trade and organic coffee production in the coffee growing regions of Harar, Sidamo, and Yrgacheffe while examining the political, economic, and cultural backdrop of the cradle of civilization.

The trip will begin in the bustling and vibrant capital city of Addis Ababa where we will meet with international and national development organizations, visit the national coffee auction and processing center and meet with Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union - featured in the film Black Gold.

The majority of the adventure will find us traveling across the Ethiopian countryside with Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union as we examine the distinct coffee of 3 unique regions in Ethiopia – meeting with the farmers, learning about how fair trade have impacted their lives, and exploring ways we can continue to support the growers of Oromia upon our return home.

Highlights Include: 

Travel the countryside meeting with organic coffee growers and community leaders in three unique regions of Ethiopia

Witness the production of coffee in Ethiopia from the tree to the export process

Visit the ancient mystical walled-city of Harar

Meet Beyene and the growers featured in the Oromia Photo Project

Learn about Community Development projects and the Oromia Fair Trade Fund

Watch the national coffee auction in action and visit the national cupping labs

Experience the unique coffee culture of Ethiopia

Participate in a coffee ceremony with new friends you’ve met on the trip!

Price includes double occupancy lodging, guides, translations, all in-country transportation, donations to organizations we visit, two meals a day plus $100 per person to the Oromia Fair Trade Fund

Flights: Each participant will be responsible for the cost of their international flight to Addis Ababa but the group will be traveling together from Washington D.C. Contact Higher Grounds for special group flight pricing.

 

Contact Jody for more information.