Elkin Guzman is an innovative producer who inherited the family farm of over 70 years, El Mirador, from his mother, Fanny Vargas. Elkin has always been interested in and drawn to applied science, and his approach to coffee is no different. This led him to Popayan, where he studied agricultural engineering at Cauca University. He then returned to the family farm, where his work is inspired by methodical research and experimentation.
Elkin shares his knowledge with other producers in the region. He believes that the future of coffee relies on the past. For many producers, coffee is multi-generational. Farms are passed down throughout families and are dependent on the next generation. Maintaining and improving the farm's health and the quality of processing will set up future generations' success. He hopes to show fellow coffee producers their value in the production chain. They are not simply workers but coffee experts, and they should be encouraged to strive for quality and find new markets.