Swerl – Colombia – Stiven Hoyos

Stiven Hoyos is part of the new generation of coffee growers in the Hoyos Alvarado family, continuing a four-generation coffee tradition in San Agustín, Colombia. Inspired by his father, Rodrigo, who spent decades building the family farm, Stiven grew up helping with coffee production while attending school. At 22, he is among the youngest members of the Monkaaba collective, a group of mostly under-35 producers proving that coffee farming can be a viable future for young Colombians. Although he once dreamed of moving to the city and attending university, working alongside his father deepened his connection to coffee and family life. After an unsuccessful university entrance exam, Rodrigo encouraged him by giving him a section of the farm to manage. Stiven planted 800 Red Caturra trees and successfully brought them into production, an achievement that strengthened his commitment to coffee growing. Today, Stiven sees specialty coffee as a way for young farmers to gain recognition and fair value for their work. For him, visits from international coffee professionals and consumers are a powerful reminder that the effort behind every harvest is appreciated beyond Colombia’s borders.