Farms certified to the Sustainable Agriculture Standard receive a range of social, environmental and economic benefits.

Protection for wildlife and the environment. Farmers on certified farms protect critical ecosystems, create forest reserves and plant trees along roads, around housing and in areas not suitable for crops. To control erosion and to limit the need for agrochemicals, they also plant buffer zones of native vegetation along rivers and springs and allow ground cover to grow. They also manage all pollutants, from tractor fuel to coffee mill wastewater.

Protection for workers. Certified farms hire locally, pay equitable wages and ensure safe working conditions and access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities. More than 1.7 million farmers, farmworkers and their children benefit directly from the certification program.

Management plans and controlled operating costs. Certified farms implement programs to reduce costs, improve quality and increase productivity. These farms also gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace by using the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal on their products.