This chapter of the book, titled “Changing asset endorsement and smallholder participation in higher-value markets: evidence from certified-coffee producers in Nicaragua” is an analysis by Jason Donovan and Nigel Poole. This chapter was originally published as an article in Food Policy. After an introduction, there is in-depth analysis of an asset-building framework. The chapter uses a background case study of Nicaragua, study design and methods, change in assets of coffee-producing households, the place of human, social, physical and financial capital and a discussion on the smallholder coffee growers in Nicaragua.