Have you ever wondered why there is no American coffee?

Technically, Hawaii grows some. But for the vast majority of us in the continental United States, our morning ritual depends entirely on imports. We have accepted a geographical limitation. We believe that coffee belongs exclusively to the tropical "coffee belt" as an immutable fact.

I do not believe in immutable facts. I believe in innovation.

That is why the Severin Hacker Vision Fund is partnering with the Neta Foundation to support a radical initiative at the University of Florida. We are funding Dr. Felipe Ferrão to do what was once considered impossible. We are making Florida the next great coffee region.

The coffee industry has often been slow to adopt the data tools that define the tech world. Dr. Ferrão is changing that. He is utilizing advanced genomic tools and data selection. These methodologies are already proven in blueberry breeding. His team is working on strategies to improve coffee performance outside its traditional tropical comfort zone.

We are treating the state of Florida as a living laboratory. We are testing Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora in environments ranging from South Central to North Florida. This is not just about agriculture. It is about supply chain resilience. It is about reducing the distance between the farm and your cup.

Our goal is clear. In the coming years, we aim to identify coffee cultivars that are fully adapted to the climate in Florida. This effort will also generate valuable knowledge for the broader coffee research and grower community. We are proving that with the right science we can be a relevant part of this important value chain, not just as the end consumer.

The reasoning is simple: we can grow it right here.