Lunar Coffee Washing Station

"Deep in Western Uganda, the Rwenzori mountains loom creating a majestic border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These mountains have been called the “Mountains of the Moon.” This lunar type landscape is awe-inspiring with flat valleys leading up to towering peaks. A rainforest wraps itself around the mountain range, creating a unique micro-climate and weather pattern. In the local language of Rukonjo, Rwenzori means “rainmaker” and it is aptly named. The 2,000+ masl altitude makes this one of East Africa’s best locations for high-quality coffee farming. Our plan to accomplish this is twofold. Our first step is to build a Long Miles Coffee central washing station at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains between the cities of Fort Portal and Kasese. This LMC Rwenzori station will work alongside our friends at the co-op to deliver farmers coffee cherries directly to us. Our process of quality control and cherry selection from the farm right through to the washing station itself is built on what we have learned in Burundi. The year on year improvement in quality will begin at the farm level with our Coffee Scout program. Our Coffee Scouts are a local full-time team of youth trained as junior agronomists to ensure maximum quality and volume for each farming family. Our approach in Uganda will be as unique as our first fully organic undertaking. Our second step is to plant a coffee farm. Tucked up against the rainforest at the top of the Rwenzori Mountains, we are planting a model farm with its own washing station. This farm will showcase variety as well as best organic farming practices. Indigenous green belts of re-planted rainforest will eventually separate different variety plots, giving back to the mountain what decades of deforestation have taken from it. Our Trees For Kibira project will be central to our efforts in Uganda and remains our commitment to helping slow climate change throughout East Africa. Our farm will be planted with the roaster in mind. Micro plots will be dedicated to roasters who are then able to lock and in and pre-commit to coffees. This will give us the ability to plant the variety roasters want and process each micro lot in their desired method. Our hope is not only to showcase Uganda’s potential but also to invest in long-term and transparent relationships with roasters.