In this month's issue of Fair Grounds, Bill Harris takes us along on his latest adventure – this time to Guatemala, with other members of the Cooperative Coffees team. We've also got Community Caravan and staff updates, a Customer Spotlight, a short piece on a Fair Trade Friend, a recipe, a Fair Trade fact, and a brand spanking new trivia question. Go on now – grab a cup of your favorite Café Campesino brew and settle down for a good read!

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Kurt Peterson, who has been working with Bill at Cooperative Coffees (www.cooperativecoffees.com), will be taking Alex’s place down at the roastery. In addition to learning the roasting ropes, Kurt will work with Lee to bring in new wholesale customers in the area. We’re pleased to have Kurt on the team.

Our long-time outreach coordinator, Geoffrey, is no longer working in our offices in Americus. But don’t worry! Geoffrey’s still in charge of our website and he’ll be back to cover events such as BRAG (Bicycle Ride Across Georgia), where he’s become a familiar face to many needing coffee in the wee hours of the morning. Currently, he’s spending some R&R on the Georgia Coast before taking a well-deserved vacation to Germany in March. We look forward to seeing him again in April!

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Walking through Guatemala customs, I remembered the chaotic scene that would greet me just outside the airport – offers for taxis, hotels, hostels, buses and all of the other services that follow the international tourist trail. Just before leaving for the Atlanta airport, I’d sent an email to Lorena at the Dos Lunas Hostel in Guatemala City asking if they had a room for the night. As I exited the airport, I got my answer. Bouncing above the crowd was the "Dos Lunas" sign and my lift to a relatively quiet night in the city.

Read more about Bill's trip to Guatemala.

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Our head roaster, Lee, will be attending CoffeeFest Washington, D.C. March 19-21, 2004. CoffeeFest, now permanently located in Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., and Seattle, features a complete industry wide trade show, invaluable educational programming, Free-Pour Latte Art Competition, New Product Showcase, Opening Night Reception, incredible special attractions and tremendous networking opportunities. It’ll be a terrific opportunity for Lee to see the latest products and network with peers.

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Grace, aka The Coffee Goddess, opened her business in November 2001, but attributes a recent upswing to selling organic and fair trade coffee in her shop.

"Business has really jumped since we've started carrying organic coffee," said Grace. "I sell more whole bean coffee, as well."

If you're in Mt. Dora, be sure to go by Java Republic at 140 W. 5th Ave. and say hello!

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Extending our Fair Trade mission, Café Campesino strives to introduce you to like-minded companies whose products not only titillate your senses but also stir your desire for justice. One such organization is Guayakí Sustainable Rainforest (www.guayaki.com), famous for their Yerba Maté gourds. For a unique beverage experience, try this California-based company’s products.

Guayakí gourds and bombillas (filter straws) are purchased from individual gourd artists in South America, at Fair Trade prices. The gourds are specially chosen by the artists for their strength and durability, and will last a lifetime if taken care of properly. The bombillas will not rust, flake or peel. The folks at Guayakí Sustainable Rainforest encourage you to try this stimulating beverage from a life-giving tree.

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Think you know a lot about coffee? Then enter our Fair Grounds Trivia Contest. Click here for our question of the month. Entering is easy and it's FUN!

Our judges were up all night deciding on last month's answer about where the first espresso machine prototype was made. The answer will surprise some of you, but it won't surprise Dick Stiefvater. Congratulations, Dick, you're our winner!

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"The best way to enhance freedom in other lands is to demonstrate here that our democratic system is worthy of emulation."

– Jimmy Carter

• January 2004 Espresso - What's the Buzz?
• December 2003 Fair Trade: Global Exchange's Fair Trade Challenge; Fellow Fair Traders: SERRV International
• November 2003 Fair Trade: More Than Just a Fair Price; Fellow Fair Traders: Lucuma Designs
• October 2003 Exploring the Coffee Regions
• September 2003 Cooperative Coffees Annual Meeting
• August 2003 Fair Trade Friends: Oxfam America; The Art (and Science) of Roasting Coffee
• July 2003 Exploring Our Origins: Sumatra
• June 2003 Exploring Our Origins: Guatemala; Gayo Mountain Adventure; Dr. Coffee - Cupping
• May 2003 Fair Trade Friends: United Students for Fair Trade; World Fair Trade Day
• April 2003 Exploring Our Origins: Ethiopia; Celebrating Earth Day with Fair Trade
• March 2003 Bill's Central American Adventures, Part 2; SWP Decaffeination
• February 2002 Bill's Central American Adventures, Part 1
• January 2003 My Life as a Bean
• December 2002 Exploring Our Origins: East Timor; Sustainable Development
• November 2002 New Website; Gift Baskets
• October 2002 Interview with roaster Lee Harris
• September 2002 ForesTrade Wins UN Sustainability Award; Exploring Our Origins: Sumatra's Gayo Cooperative
• August 2002 Producer News: Shade Grown; Fair Trade Friends: Atlanta Audubon
• July 2002 Exploring Our Origins: Colombia
• June 2002 Back Roads Journal: Cooperative Coffees and Café Campesino; Exploring Our Origins: Peru; Fair Trade Friends: Music of the Andes
• May 2002 Staff Notes: Cinco de Mayo; Producer News: Visit to Mut Viz; Back Roads Journal: SCAA Meeting
• April 2002 Back Roads Journal: Travels in Fair Trade; Customer Composting Tip