🌺 Our Why
We didn't wait for retirement.
We chose it—early, intentionally, and with a purpose.
For us, this isn't about stepping away from life. It's about stepping into it. Into something real, something tangible, something that keeps us active, engaged, and growing as the years go on.
We set out to build a life that feels simple and humble—but deeply rewarding and free.
🌱 Where It All Began
Long before cacao, there was a backyard. And then garden beds. And then a trellis.
What started in 2018 as a small way to teach our daughters where food comes from—planting strawberries and blueberries they could snack on right off the plant—slowly turned into something much bigger.
Season by season, the garden grew:
peaches, blackberries, passionfruit, raised bed vegetables, persimmons, avocados, mangos, pecans, mulberries, sugar cane… even corn.
So did our curiosity.
We weren't just growing food—we were growing a connection to it.
🍫 The Spark That Changed Everything
That curiosity eventually led us somewhere unexpected.
Through John Kohler (Growing Your Greens) and his visits with Juan Echeverria (Hacienda JeanMarie), we were introduced to the world of cacao farming in Puerto Rico.
At the same time, we were spending time learning permaculture and self reliance on native plants from growers like Tim Armstrong (Eat Your Yard Jax), continuing to expand what we thought was possible.
In 2022, we took the next step—when visited Puerto Rico, we met Juan in person and began to truly understand what it would take to build something of our own.
We ran the numbers.
We did the research.
And at some point, it stopped being a dream and became a decision.
🌿 A Life Reimagined
Before this, our lives looked very different.
Chip spent years as a District Sales Manager with ADT, after serving in the United States Air Force.
Viv worked as a translator for a law firm, bridging language and understanding every day.
We built careers. We built stability.
But we also felt the pull toward something more connected. More physical. More meaningful.
This farm is our answer to that pull.
🌺 Puerto Rico, Home & Discovery
Puerto Rico is more than a place to us—it's part of our story.
Viv was born here before moving to Florida.
Chip grew up in Ohio.
Together, we've explored dozens of cacao farms and traditional agricultural spaces across the island, each visit deepening our appreciation—not just for the crop, but for the people.
What stood out most was the spirit of the cacao community.
It's collaborative. Supportive. Generous.
Farmers share knowledge. They help each other. They celebrate each other's wins.
There's no sense of competition—only a shared commitment to doing things the right way.
That spirit shaped our vision from the very beginning.
🤝 Building With the Community
We're not here to stand apart—we're here to contribute.
Our goal is to support the broader cacao ecosystem in Puerto Rico by:

Partnering with local farms


Reselling and showcasing their products


Exploring co-branded offerings


Creating opportunities for shared growth

If we succeed, we want that success to ripple outward.
🌱 Purposeful Retirement
We like to think of this as our purposeful retirement.
Not an ending—but a beginning.
A life where we stay active.
Where we keep learning.
Where we build something that gives back—to the land, to the community, and to the people we share it with.
🌺 Our Journey
We're still early in this.
There's a lot ahead of us—and that's exactly what we want.
To grow alongside the trees.
To stay curious.
To stay connected.
And to build something that lasts.
✍️
— Viv & Chip