Brewing Up Success

Women have long played an important role in the coffee industry and Farmer Brothers is proud to support women-led coffee operations around the world. Through our Project DIRECT and Direct Trade programs, we support a number of women-led co-ops and coffee growing farms in South America and Africa.

Our long-standing partnership with Joy Tushabe in Rwanda is just one such example. Joy, who began her career with Technoserve, noticed women in the rural areas of her region had very little ownership in coffee, yet were the ones who bore a considerable amount of the financial burden for their households. While training coffee farmers on ways to improve agricultural practices, Joy began to plan how she could invest in the sector in a meaningful way that would employ women and support them to own their own farm.

In 2014, her dream became a reality when she founded the Ishema Washing Station in Rwanda. After realizing she could not employ all the women in the village where she operated, she opened a sewing training center to provide additional opportunities for women in her community.

“Thanks to the bonus from Farmer Brothers Direct Trade program in 2024, Joy was able to cover an open balance on her working capital loan and enhance the sewing training center. She bought additional sewing machines, materials for handcrafts and rented a storefront near the center of town for displaying materials produced by the trainees,” said Farmer Brothers Green Coffee Procurement Manager Liz Fisher.

This month, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, we want to recognize outstanding women like Joy and the contributions they make to our mission of building connections over coffee. From farmers to roasters to saleswomen to baristas and everyone in between their expertise and contributions are what allow us to enjoy our favorite cup.