09/06/2026
From the farm to the cup.
Have you ever stopped to think about the journey that happens before the coffee reaches your table? We invite you to discover how the concept of "Sítio" (small farm) shapes the identity of specialty coffees in the Serra de Minas region, supporting families, strengthening communities, and guaranteeing a rich and consistent profile in each batch we select directly from the source.
Luiz Scalco and his son Luiz Scalco Jr., owners of Sítio Colina, located in Poço Fundo - MG
For the Brazilian people, coffee carries a meaning that goes far beyond a simple drink to start the day. In our culture, it is synonymous with unity, affection, and companionship. There is a very strong cultural tradition in the country of gathering family and friends around the table in the middle of the afternoon. This time is dedicated to sharing coffee, taking a break from the routine accompanied by good conversation. In these gatherings, people talk about everything: work, economic and political news, the weather, and family life. But the truth is that this unity begins long before the beverage reaches the cup. It is born in the earth.
Coffee and Family Farming in Minas Gerais
For small producers, coffee is the central element of prosperity. It is through coffee farming that farmers maintain their rural properties and support their families. However, the impact of this crop goes far beyond a single household: the coffee harvest has the power to mobilize entire communities.
At harvest time, unity transforms into practical cooperation. Families from the same region take turns working in the coffee plantations, helping each other with the fieldwork. This dynamic reflects the agricultural structure of the state of Minas Gerais itself, where family farming is the main pillar of support.
2nd place in Brazil: Minas Gerais is the second state with the most people working in family farming.
Over 72% of all rural properties in Minas Gerais fit the profile of family farming.
87% of these properties have an area of less than 50 hectares.
Coffee harvest
What is a Sítio?
It is precisely from these small properties of up to 50 hectares that we understand the concept of a "Sítio" (small farm). Here in Sul de Minas Gerais, the region where Legender is located and which concentrates 40% of all coffee production in the state, this cultivation model is our daily reality.
For us, the "Sítio" is not just a geographical demarcation or the size of a piece of land. It represents specialty quality coffee.
Jacutinga Community
Family Properties: Lands with a history passed down from generation to generation.
Producer-Managed: Meticulous and direct supervision by the farmers themselves.
Generational Tradition: Practical knowledge of cultivation shared through time.
Small-Scale Production: Work done by hand, where each batch receives individual care.
Commitment to the Communities
The Sítios don't operate in isolation; they cluster together and form strong communities. At Legender, we are proud to walk side-by-side with communities like Barra Grande, Jacutinga, and Roseira. Since coffee production is the main source of local income, we understand that working with the communities of Sítio requires real social and economic responsibility. Our operating model focuses on three pillars:
Product Value: Greater appreciation and recognition of the quality of the coffee produced.
Family Income: A real increase in revenue and financial stability for farming families.
Rural Development: Socioeconomic advancement and improved quality of life for the entire community.
To make this happen in practice, Legender cultivates close relationships with these families. We buy without intermediaries, ensuring that the true value of the work remains in the field. In this way, we guarantee fair compensation that reflects the rigor and effort required to produce top-quality coffee in mountainous areas.
The next time you savor a cup of Legender coffee, remember: you are valuing the tradition of a Sítio, the livelihood of a family, and the strength of an entire community.
References:
IBGE, 2017. Agricultural Census. Available at: https://cidades.ibge.gov.br/brasil/mg/pesquisa/24/27745 . Accessed on: June 9, 2026.
Minervino, Luiz Eduardo. Farm, ranch, or smallholding? Learn the difference between rural properties. Globo Rural, 2025. Available at: https://globorural.globo.com/vida-na-fazenda/noticia/2025/06/fazenda-sitio-rancho-ou-chacara-saiba-a-diferenca-entre-as-propriedades-rurais.ghtml . Accessed on: June 9, 2026.
Government of Minas Gerais, 2022. Minas Gerais is the 2nd Brazilian state with the most family farmers. Available at: https://www.mg.gov.br/agricultura/noticias/minas-gerais-eo-2o-estado-brasileiro-com-mais-agricultores-familiares . Accessed on: June 9, 2026.
Antunes , Larissa Dulce Moreira; Redin, Ezequiel. How about a coffee? Family farming and corporate farming in coffee production in Minas Gerais. Revista Sem Aspas, Araraquara, v. 11, n. 00, 2022. Available at: https://periodicos.fclar.unesp.br/semaspas/article/view/15356 . Accessed on: June 9, 2026.