Back in 2013, the small farms in Matão, northern Paraná, were focused on commodity coffee, earning little and just trying to get by. Everything changed when the local agricultural association introduced a program for product diversity and promotion. A group of women—who were also teammates in a local soccer team—gathered over coffee and decided to take on the challenge. This was the birth of *Mulheres do Café do Matão*. Starting small, they held meetings in their football canteen, setting up principles like equal decision-making for all, no matter if they farmed one or ten hectares. Three years later, Capricornio Coffees took notice of their high-quality coffee, strong organization, and dedication—despite having no formal agronomy education. With an agronomist visiting every 60 days to guide their practices, their coffee quality kept improving. Today, they produce outstanding specialty coffee using unique permaculture techniques, intercropping coffee with corn, beans, and nitrogen-fixing grasses. Now producing over 300 bags a year—including experimental funky processing lots—the journey of these 22 women is only just beginning!
