🌱 Fazenda São Paulo Named Brazil’s 2nd Most Sustainable Farm

We’re proud to share that Fazenda São Paulo, a member of the Sancoffee cooperative, has been recognized as the 2nd most sustainable farm in Brazil in the "Big Farm" (Grande Fazenda) category of the 9th Globo Rural Sustainable Farm Award. The award celebrates farms across the country that excel in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, and this recognition highlights Fazenda São Paulo’s deep, long-term commitment to sustainable agriculture.

The long road to sustainability

Located in Oliveira, Minas Gerais, Fazenda São Paulo spans nearly 2,000 hectares, combining coffee production, grain crops, and a certified swine operation. Around 880 hectares are dedicated to coffee, while another 560 hectares are preserved as native forest.

At Fazenda São Paulo, sustainability didn’t start with a strategy or certification. It started with a belief that it’s possible to run a large, productive farm while still respecting the land, the animals, and the people who make it all happen.

Over the past decade, that belief turned into action:

🌳 A reforestation project that has already planted over 30,000 native trees, restoring springs and wildlife corridors.
🌱 Technologies that measure gas emissions and absorption, helping the team track their impact with precision.
💧 A complete water treatment and reuse system, where wastewater is safely processed and used for irrigation, reducing waste, protecting springs, and keeping rivers clean.
🌾 Regenerative practices that feed the soil instead of depleting it.

These results come from a combination of technology and regenerative practices. Precision tools track emissions and absorption, while organic fertilizers, soil restoration, and efficient resource use ensure that every hectare contributes to a healthier ecosystem.

“Technology, when used right, works in favor of people and the planet,” they explained. “It helps us take care of the land in a more objective and efficient way.”

The elephant in the room

There’s one part of the farm people are always curious about: the swine production. How can a pig farm be sustainable?

The farm management chose to think of it not as a contradiction, but as a potential a solution. All organic waste from the swine operation is reused through a closed-loop system that produces biogas for clean energy and supports irrigation for crops. Nothing is wasted. The challenge becomes part of the cycle.

“This way, we protect the environment and reduce costs at the same time. Sustainability and efficiency walk together.”

People first

True sustainability always starts with people. For decades, Fazenda São Paulo has invested in the well-being of the 50 families who live and work on the farm. A complete infrastructure, including a health post, school, church, and community spaces,  supports daily life and future generations.

“Valuing people goes far beyond offering good conditions,” the team said. “It’s about nurturing a culture of care that has been passed down over time. Here, grandparents, parents, and children often work side by side.”

Looking ahead

The team is already thinking about what comes next: expanding reforestation, experimenting with new regenerative methods, and sharing what they’ve learned with other producers through the Sancoffee cooperative.

Their vision echoes Sancoffee’s mission of promoting prosperity through coffee: using innovation, transparency, and human connection to create a more sustainable future for all.

Download your copy of the Sancoffee Impact Report 2024