The story of the Finca Grano de Oro starts in 1917 when Don Alberto Bendix bought the property for his first daughter, Ella Bendix-Magaña. Dona Ella married Ing. Manuel Santana-Pinto in 1947, and together they ran the farm from 1971 until 1993 when their son, Manuel Santana-Bendix, began helping them with the farm management.

Mr. Santana-Bendix, a biologist by education and training, with a Master’s degree in Wildlife Science, fully understands the importance of sustainable agriculture and continues the tradition of running the farm under such principles. Specifically, he continues the practice begun by his parents of not using any chemical pesticides. Instead he uses biological controls and manual weeding practices. Furthermore, since 2001, the coffee has been cultivated without the use of chemical fertilizers.

The coffee grown on Finca Grano de Oro is mostly Bourbón (95%) with some interspersed Arabigo (typica) and Pacas. All of the coffee is cultivated under a diverse and full canopy of shade trees. Don Manuel continues to plant shade trees to increase the canopy height and species diversity. Currently, at least 34 species of trees thrive on the property including some like Cedro, Trompillo and Balsamo that are locally threatened. These trees provide shade and pesticide-free protection for a diversity of wildlife including many migrant bird species such as Wilson’s warbler, Black and White warblers and Townsend’s warblers. Other species commonly found on the farm include Altamira and Baltimore Orioles, Magpie jays, and the beautiful Blue-Crowned Motmot.

This year’s coffee submitted for the COE competition was picked under the daily direct supervision of Mr. Santana-Bendix between January 12th and 22nd. It was sent daily to the mill for careful processing. Those workers who put the extra effort into picking the gourmet coffee submitted for this COE competition were paid a bonus wage.

Mr. Santana-Bendix understands that Sustainable Agriculture also implies that workers must receive a fair and sustainable, livable wage, and he has succeeded in past years, despite the low prices of coffee on the international market, to support his workers at wages that are higher than those paid locally. Mr. Santana-Bendix is especially pleased to win this COE Award, as he will translate the funds received into higher wages for his workers during the next harvest season. Access to better prices for coffee that this COE Competition supports is essential to the development of Sustainable Agricultural practices both in regards to social and ecological health.