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In this blog post, you’ll take a trip through the family’s history and explore our enduring legacy. Learn about the journey of Bibiano and Angela, the pioneers who laid the foundation for our family farm with hard work and perseverance, and find out the why of the name of the farm.
Our History
Bibiano Montenegro
Meet Bibiano Montenegro, the driving force behind our family’s enduring legacy. Born with humble beginnings, Bibiano and his wife Ángela, embarked on a journey of resilience and determination that would shape the destiny of generations to come.
Coffee emerged as the beacon of hope on Bibiano’s farm, providing the means to support his growing family. After losing his right hand in a fishing accident at age 30, Bibiano continued to work his farm, relearning every task with his left hand. He transformed this setback into a powerful lesson, teaching his children the value of perseverance and resilience with the profound words: “if I can do it with one hand, you can do better with two”.
One of his most enduring legacies is the gift of education. Recognizing the importance of learning, Bibiano donated land to build a one room school house, ensuring that every child, including his grandchildren, had access to knowledge and opportunity at the farm.
Today, at the age of 85, Bibiano Montenegro remains a visionary, his spirit undimmed by the passage of time. His dreams continue to inspire us, serving as a guiding light as we forge ahead into the future.
Angela Centeno
Angela Centeno, the backbone of our family’s legacy, is a force to be reckoned with. Without her unwavering support and boundless strength, her husband Bibiano’s dreams would have never flourished into the reality we cherish today.
She embodies the essence of resilience, serving as the steady hand that guided our family through life’s challenges. Angela’s wisdom and practicality have been the mainspring of our household, providing a sense of order and stability while Bibiano toiled away in the fields.
Angela’s dedication to education has deeply impacted our family. Despite only completing sixth grade, she was determined to see her children and grandchildren go further. She instilled a love for learning in all her children, ensuring each of them received an education. From sewing uniforms to supporting all 11 children, Angela spared no effort in nurturing their dreams.
Our History
Elia Montenegro
Elia Montenegro was no stranger to hard work from a young age, helping her parents on the farm alongside her siblings. Amidst the daily toil, she harbored a dream—to become a doctor. With unwavering discipline and determination, she pursued excellence in her studies, emerging as the top student of her generation upon graduating from high school.
Despite the challenges Elia faced as a young and single mother, she refused to let go of her dream of becoming a doctor and with the support of her parents, she gained admission to one of the country’s premier medical colleges.
This marked the beginning of a new chapter, not just for Elia, but for our entire family. Her journey into medicine opened doors of opportunity for her children, providing them with a path to a brighter future.
Today, she owns her own pediatric clinic called “Consultorio Infantil Pepitos,” where she continues to make a difference in the lives of children every day. Additionally, Elia has embarked on a new venture in the coffee business, joining forces with her daughter to pursue their shared passion and make a meaningful impact in their home community.
Viviana Montenegro
Viviana Montenegro, Dr. Montenegro’s first child was born in 1999. Raised by Angela and Bibiano in the embrace of the countryside until the age of seven, Viviana’s formative years were shaped by her grandparents’ nurturing care. While Dr. Montenegro pursued her medical dreams, Viviana developed a deep love for nature and the land, immersed in the captivating rhythms of the coffee picking seasons. It was during this time that she earned the beloved nickname, La Cimarrona, embodying her free spirit and connection to the farm and its vibrant surroundings.
What does Cimarrona means in Spanish?
Una Cimarrona is an undomesticated animal which is indomitable and ferocious. Viviana’s nickname comes from her personality and for challenging the male dominated environment since she was a little girl, where she wanted to milk cows, ride horses, and work in the fields, refusing to undertake a traditional woman’s role.
After Viviana’s mother finished her studies, Viviana moved to the city and had the opportunity to a better education. At the age of 18, thanks to Viviana’s outstanding grades, she earned a scholarship in Costa Rica to pursue her dream to become an Industrial Engineer and to learn to speak english as a second language. She graduated from ULACIT, one of the top private universities of Central America in 2021 and moved to USA to study supply chain management.
But her heart always has been at her farm, so in 2022 Viviana and her mother founded Finca La Cimarrona, and Viviana’s vision of taking the family business to the next stage has started. With all the knowledge from her college degree, she has brought a fresh vision where eco-sustainability and carbon neutral practices merge with producing specialty coffee.
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