A Shared Table, A Shared Future: Transforming Brazil's Coffee Regions Together
Lasting change happens when people come together, not just to talk, but to build. This spirit of unity and purpose drove the "Coffee Regions in Transition: Sustainability and Inclusion" conference, hosted by HRNS Brazil in Santo Antônio do Amparo in 2025. What started as an event turned into something much more, a shared commitment to shaping a better future for coffee-growing families in Brazil’s Campo das Vertentes region.
The gathering brought together smallholder farmers, youth, researchers, public and private actors, not to show case ideas in isolation, but to weave them into a collective vision. It was not a day of lectures, but a day of listening, of understanding, of recognizing that no one holds all the answers alone.
From climate adaptation to economic resilience, from youth leadership to rural innovation, the voices in the room reflected a common thread: we move forward when we move forward together.
Not Just Talking, Connecting
Conferences can feel like checklists. But this one felt like a reunion of people who share the same mission. Whether it was in the sessions or between them, the real value emerged from moments of connection.
Young producers like Geovana Peixoto voiced what many were thinking: “We want to carry forward the legacy of our families. But we also want to innovate. We’re ready.” Her clarity and optimism broke any generational walls.
Alexandre Vilela, from Sítio Refazenda, captured the intergenerational link beautifully: “Success in coffee production depends on combining the experience of older generations with the curiosity and innovation of younger ones.”
Meanwhile, Francyelly Balduino, co-country manager at HRNS Brazil, grounded the conversation in action: “We’re here to bring simple, practical tools, things producers can use today, not just tomorrow.”
Challenges Shared, Solutions Co-Created
Climate change. Unpredictable markets. Youth migration. These challenges aren’t new, but they are evolving, and their impact is deeply personal.
During one exchange, Dr. Marcelo Zeriof CEMADEN shared alarming data on shifting climate zones and warming trends in Minas Gerais. For farmers like Janice Torres, this wasn’t theoretical. “But with the right guidance, I made changes that made my farm stronger,” she said. That guidance came through HRNS and its network of partners.
These aren't just technical adaptations, they’re acts of resilience, supported by a web of collaborators: UFLA, SEBRAE, Sancoffee, Sistema FAEMG/SENAR, Cooxupé, CEMADEN, and many more. Their role wasn’t just to speak, but to stand with producers.
Youth as Catalysts, Not Bystanders
The Semear Program stood out as a vibrant thread running through the day. It’s more than training; it’s a mindset shift. Young people, often overlooked in rural planning, took the stage, not as future leaders, but as today’s changemakers.
Felipe Bento, a Semear participant, summed it up: “This event helped me understand where we’re heading and how I can contribute to my family’s farm.”
The presence of Mr. Michael R. Neumann, founder of HRNS, along with Mrs. Sabine Neumann and members of the Board of Trustees, added a heartfelt dimension. Their engagement wasn’t symbolic, it was a clear sign of continued, personal commitment to inclusive transformation.
Key Takeaways
From every exchange and reflection, a few lessons stood out clearly. Change doesn't begin in isolation, it grows in shared spaces, nurtured by diverse perspectives. When communities and institutions work together, resilience becomes more than a goal, it becomes reality. Youth aren't waiting to lead tomorrow, they are already shaping today. Practicality matters, and simple tools often drive the deepest transformations. Climate adaptation must start locally, guided by science and grounded in real-world experience. And true inclusion means creating space for every voice to shape the way forward.
This is How Change Begins
By the end of the day, no one needed to be convinced that collaboration was key. The only question left was: how do we keep going?
“This was a unique opportunity to engage with HRNS Brazil and learn how to be part of something bigger,” said Jéssica, a press officer from the municipality of Perdões. Her words captured what many felt.
This wasn’t about conclusions, it was about momentum. It was about turning shared insights into shared strategies, and strategies into action.
Looking Ahead
HRNS Brazil remains committed to walking alongside farming families, not in front of them, not behind them, but with them. Through dialogue, training, mentorship, and honest partnership, a new chapter for Campo das Vertentes is being written, one where rural life is not a struggle but a source of strength.
To everyone who participated: your presence mattered. Your voice mattered. And your commitment will carry this movement forward.
Let’s continue this journey, together.
