Some people feel rusty when they miss their morning cup of joe. Imagine how surprised they would be if their morning coffee was covered in rust!

Coffee rust disease is attacking coffee plants all over the world. A yellow patch forms on coffee leaves. Soon the coffee crop dies. That’s terrible news for these Guatemalan coffee farmers. They don’t just need coffee to help them wake up in the morning. For them, no coffee means no money. They’re gathered in the street in hopes that their government will give them a loan.

But Guatemalans aren’t the only ones in trouble. Coffee is the most important trade item in the world. People rely on it for money more than any other good.

Can the rust-monster be defeated? Yes, but it won’t be easy. Coffee farms all over the world will have to start growing their coffee in full shade. Until they can do that, they just might need a leg up.