As we welcome 2025, I want to extend heartfelt gratitude to all of our Birds & Beans Coffee customers. Since our launch in 2008, your support has been instrumental in our mission to deliver 'The Good Coffee' — coffee that not only tastes exceptional but also helps save the birds we love and supports farm families and their workers. Together, we’ve nurtured vibrant local economies in Central and South America while caring for the Earth we all share.
Celebrating Coffee Clubs
From the beginning, some of our customers have formed local 'Coffee Clubs,' making it easier for their friends and neighbors to enjoy Birds & Beans coffee. These clubs are inspiring examples of community and conservation in action. Here are three remarkable stories from our Coffee Club members:
Arlington, MA Coffee Club
Bob Stymeist and Martha Steele have been running a group order of Birds & Beans coffee since 2009 after being inspired by presentations from Scott Weidensaul and Kenn Kaufman encouraging birders to support bird-friendly coffee. Bob, a lifelong birder, and Martha, who discovered birding as an adult, have an incredible story of dedication and passion. Martha, who became totally blind due to Usher syndrome, now relies on her cochlear implants to hear birds and continues birding with Bob and her guide dog, Alvin, who has learned to stay calm and quiet while they listen for birds.
Their coffee club began as a way to help their birding friends avoid high shipping costs by pooling orders. Over the years, their group has grown to include 25 loyal households. Each month, they organize a group order, with Bob delivering the coffee personally or members picking it up from their home. This effort helps spread the mission of bird conservation while fostering a strong sense of community among local bird enthusiasts.
Upper Valley, VT – Norwich Coffee Club
Doug Hardy, a climate researcher and passionate birder, founded the Norwich Coffee Club in 2008. His love for birding deepened when his son, Spencer, became an avid birder at a young age. Together, they’ve co-authored scientific papers, including groundbreaking research on the Glacier Finch. Their shared passion extends to supporting bird-friendly coffee and conservation initiatives.
Doug’s coffee club has made a significant impact in the Upper Valley. With nearly half of the original members still actively ordering after 12 years, the club exemplifies loyalty and dedication to sustainability. Doug manages the group’s orders, ensuring every detail is handled smoothly, from email announcements to delivery. Over the years, he has facilitated 192 orders, raising over $200,000 for Birds & Beans coffee and promoting the mission of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.
Golden Gate Bird Alliance – Bay Area, CA
Erica Rutherford started the Golden Gate Bird Alliance coffee club in 2014 as part of her Master Birder program project. Fascinated by the environmental and societal impacts of coffee production, Erica connected with Birds & Beans founder Bill Wilson to learn more about their sourcing and certification. Inspired, she and her partner John Colbert created a coffee club that now serves 65 members across the Bay Area.
To streamline operations, John developed a custom Access database to manage orders, track payments, and send monthly reminders. Erica and John also use their platform to share articles about bird conservation, strengthening their community’s commitment to sustainability. Their members frequently express gratitude for the service, with many purchasing additional coffee as holiday gifts. Beyond their coffee club, Erica and John are avid birders, often found enjoying the vibrant flyway habitats in their region.
Join Us
If you’ve been inspired by these stories and want to start a local Coffee Club, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to 860-271-6326 to learn how you can make a difference in your community.
Thank You
Thank you for your unwavering support of our mission in 2024. As we look ahead to 2025, our team wishes you and your loved ones a wonderful year filled with joy, connection, and, of course, great coffee!
Warm regards,
Bill Wilson
Founder, Birds & Beans Coffee