Before Finca Chocolat became home to cacao, vanilla, and essential oils, much of the land had been cleared for cattle grazing. Since acquiring the property, one of our core commitments has been reforesting this land—not only to benefit our cacao through natural shade and moisture retention, but to support local biodiversity and increase long-term value for our investors.
A key part of this reforestation effort is the annual propagation of native hardwoods like Salmwood (Cordia alliodora) and Rosewood. Each spring, we collect seeds from mature trees on and around the farm, and use them to spawn over 5,000 hardwood seedlings.
The image below shows a Salmwood tree heavy with seeds, harvested just a few weeks ago. The photo above captures the next stage of the journey—those very seeds beginning to sprout in our nursery.
Once germinated, each seedling is carefully transplanted into its own nursery bag, where it will grow under the watchful eye of our team. These young trees will spend several months in the nursery before being planted in the field during the fall.
Over time, these hardwoods will form a protective canopy over our cacao trees, create habitat for local wildlife, and—eventually—offer an additional source of long-term return through sustainable timber harvests. It’s a process that takes patience, but it’s one we believe in deeply.
At Finca Chocolat, reforestation isn’t just about restoring what was lost—it’s about planting the future.