Organic First: The Foundation for Regenerative Coffee Farming

Sustainability in the coffee industry has always been a hot topic, with many companies relying on buzzwords over true impact and action. We're now hearing a lot of talk pushing regenerative agriculture as the future of "ethical coffee". I believe that regenerative practices have their place in coffee (we’ve been pioneering them for over 20 years) but we can’t have a serious conversation about regenerating soil without first prioritizing organic practices.

At Mayorga Coffee, we’ve been 100% organic for over 12 years, not because it’s what we think consumers want but because it’s the best way to ensure long-term sustainability for farmers, consumers, and the environment. Ensuring that dangerous, toxic chemicals aren't present where our food is grown and where producers live just seems like common sense, doesn't it?  Regenerative agriculture is an important complement to organic practices, but it cannot replace the fundamental need for organic farming.  

Why Organic is the Baseline for True Sustainability

Many people hear the term “regenerative” and assume it means better environmental practices—but without an organic foundation, regenerative claims can be hollow. Here’s my opinion on why:

1. Organic Eliminates Harmful Chemicals

• Conventional coffee farming relies heavily on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides that damage soil, contaminate water, and harm farmers' health

• Regenerative agriculture focuses on soil health, but if it doesn’t start with an organic approach, the soil is still being exposed to harmful chemicals 

2. Organic Protects Farmers & Their Land

• Many smallholder farmers in Latin America struggle with the impact of chemical-intensive farming. These chemicals degrade their land over time and leave them dependent on expensive, toxic inputs.  (I always compare it to a human seeking to be healthy by deciding to take antibiotics for the rest of their lives.  There WILL be a negative impact on your natural health)

• By prioritizing organic first, farmers break free from cycles of chemical dependence, restoring their land’s natural fertility.

3. Organic Certification Provides a Healthy "Trust but Verify" Foundation

• Regenerative agriculture has no clear, enforceable definition in coffee. Some companies may use regenerative claims while still relying on chemical inputs. Some simply rely on third party certifiers that cut and paste standards from other industries like factory dairy or soy farming.

• Organic certification, on the other hand, ensures clear standards and accountability, giving consumers confidence in their choices. 

• While NO certification is free of fraud, USDA organic establishes a standard with tight processes at the farm level as well as traceability up the supply chain.  Any responsible coffee roaster should be engaging with the local auditors while communicating and verifying processes with producers on a continuous basis

Mayorga Coffee: 100% Organic + Regenerative Practices

While organic farming is our non-negotiable foundation, we also recognize that appropriate regenerative practices can enhance organic systems. That’s why, at Mayorga Coffee, we complement our organic approach with regenerative initiatives that focus on long-term sustainability and farm resilience.

1. Agroforestry Plans

• We work with farmers to incorporate shade-grown coffee systems, mimicking natural ecosystems to maintain biodiversity and protect soil.

• Agroforestry also helps retain soil moisture, reduces temperature extremes, and creates a natural habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

2. Water Management Plans

• Water conservation is essential in coffee farming, especially in regions facing climate change challenges.

• We work with our farmers to implement water-efficient processing methods and reduce waste by recycling water used in wet milling processes.

3. Soil Studies & Adaptive Input Strategies

• Each farm has unique soil needs, and we support farmers in conducting soil studies to determine the best organic inputs.

• Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we ensure farmers have the knowledge and resources to maintain nutrient-rich, productive soil without relying on synthetic chemicals.

4. Diversification

• Since 2012 Mayorga has led the revolutionary process of coffee producers planting other crops including chia, cacao, turmeric, and beans to leverage their organic certified land.  (Until recently, the coffee industry CRITICIZED us for it, claiming that we weren't "coffee forward")

• Beyond providing additional income to producers, diversification tends to help to restore soil through nitrogen fixation, erosion control, and natural pest control

• Diversification also promotes that producers get more engaged in farm and soil management as most diversified crops have a shorter cycle than coffee

Organic and Regenerative: A Partnership, Not a Replacement

The future of coffee farming isn’t about choosing between organic and regenerative—it’s about recognizing that regenerative practices are only effective when built on an organic foundation–and followed up through continuous relationships with producers.  In my opinion, we're only talking about restoring/regenerating soil because we've allowed chemicals to sterilize and kill soil for so many years. 

For over a decade, Mayorga Coffee has remained 100% organic because we believe in real, long-term impact. We don’t just follow marketing trends—we prioritize integrity, transparency, and the well-being of the farmers and consumers who rely on us.

If we want to create a truly sustainable future for coffee, the conversation must start with organic farming. Only once that foundation is in place can regenerative practices be used to build even stronger, healthier farms that benefit both people and the planet. Then, it's all about presence, engagement with producers, and being willing to adapt to the needs of each producer or community.  Just how each coffee growing country and community is beautifully unique, so is each coffee farm.  We need to understand their real challenges if we want to create real and sustainable solutions.

Con Orgullo Latino,

Martin Mayorga

Founder & CEO, Mayorga Coffee