In the early 1920s, Emma and Santiago Londoño built a farmhouse on a parcel then called La Argelia. The economic impacts of the Great Depression encouraged Emma to plant the family’s first coffee plants, starting a tradition of women leaders and stewards of this land. Although her husband and children lived mostly in the city, they supported Emma in this nascent enterprise.

The original parcel is now divided but it is still owned by Emma’s descendants. La Violeta, owned and managed by Emma’s granddaughter and named to honor the memory of Emma’s daughter, is one of the farms established in the old farmstead. Nextdoor, La Ceiba and La Argelia are managed by the siblings of La Violeta’s owner. These three farms function as one productive and ecological unit.

Emma’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren grew up spending as much time as possible on the farm and working on the coffee operation. All were involved in picking, drying, and removing defective beans, learning about proper practices, and acquiring a deep appreciation of how a great cup of coffee depends on excellence at every step.

Today, La Violeta is a diversified agricultural enterprise, continuing an unbroken line of environmentally and socially responsible women farmers.