Moore Haven family wants to 'save Florida farmers' with coffee farming

MOORE HAVEN, Fla. —

When it comes to Florida farmland, we typically think sugar or citrus.

On one family farm in Moore Haven, typical is nowhere to be found.

Three years ago, Matt Davis decided to stop selling citrus and start harvesting coffee. He didn't know if it was possible.

"What can we do in Florida that no one's doing?" said Matt. "We were like, let's do coffee. No one is doing coffee. Everyone likes coffee."

"Old Okeechobee Coffee Company" was born. Matt started planting coffee trees in his greenhouse.

"This is a second harvest," said Matt. "That's unheard of, and that's what we've created on accident is a microclimate. This should not be happening right now at all."

The coffee cherries grown on the farm are then processed and roasted.

Being the first to start and own a coffee farm in Florida hasn't come without its challenges.

"When Ian came through, I got rain on top of saturated ground," said Matt. "I lost 400 trees at 20 dollars a pop and had to start over one section."

But no matter the cost, the Davis family has kept going. Matt's daughter, Darien, says their mission is bigger than themselves.

"I think our goal is to help save Florida farmers," said Darien. "To help the farmers not sell their land and help them provide for their families and prove that it can be done. I think that's amazing if we could just help one farmer and their family."

The Davis family proves that with determination, anything is possible.

"No matter how many people say you're crazy, it can never be done; we're proving that it can be done and we're doing it," said Darien.

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