The method of shade growing coffee returns farmers to the original roots of the coffee agriculture. Originally, coffee was shade grown in the underlayer of rainforests, but the farms were eventually converted to full-sun cultivation. The sun method requires pesticides, more water and fertilizer. Many farmers are now going back to shade-grown coffee, planting them under citrus fruits, avocado trees and the like.

Organic farmers get a higher premium for their grounds but it takes about three years to make the change from conventional farming to organically certified. The fair trade prices take into account the crop losses that occur in the meantime.

To learn more, see www.transfairusa.org.