Shade grown coffee is produced under a canopy of trees which provides habitats, enriches and conserves soil and often decreases the need for chemical inputs by farmers. The system contributes to the conservation of forest habitats in coffee producing countries, although shade is not a guarantee of quality.
Shade trees are not always geographically appropriate. For instance, the Lambari farm in Poços de Caldas, Brazil does not grow healthily under a shade canopy, due to the latitude of the sun. Therefore, these farms designate 20-30% of their land specifically as conserved forest land. Also, the arid landscape of Yemen does not support shade trees.
In 1996 the National Audubon Society of America initiated the concept of bird-friendly coffee as an awareness campaign to encourage the planting of trees and to promote the purchase of shade grown coffee.
