Juan Martinez Quezada

Costa Rican inventor who pioneered sustainable coffee farming practices in Central America

Juan Martinez Quezada (1912-1968) revolutionized agricultural practices across Central America through his invention of the shade-grown coffee system. A self-taught agronomist from Costa Rica's Central Valley, he developed a method of planting coffee under native tree canopies that doubled crop yields while preserving biodiversity. His 1943 patent for the 'Quezada System' became mandatory for all Central American coffee plantations by 1955.

His innovations:
- Prevented deforestation in coffee regions
- Increased soil fertility by 300%
- Created habitats for over 40 bird species

Quezada's 1958 book Harmony in the Hills is still used in agricultural schools. His work laid the foundation for modern organic farming standards, though his name is often overshadowed by larger coffee industry figures. The Rainforest Alliance credits his methods as precursors to their certification system. Despite his contributions, Quezada lived in obscurity until a 2017 documentary Bean of the Earth brought attention to his life. His legacy persists through the Juan Martinez Quezada Agricultural Institute in San José.