Community Project Sustainable Agriculture Jamaica

December 2023 Update:

I am returning to Jamaica to continue the project further. Farmer Glen has been working hard to keep the farm going in a good way. I will post photos and updates on Instagram between now and the New Year. The next big expenses are a high wheel lawn mower to maintain the living pathways, ongoing labor to keep the farm planted, weeded, and maintained, and the expansion of water holding capacity through the purchase of additional tanks and piping. The drought situation in Jamaica over the past year has been one of the driest on record. There are additional issues with the lack of water from the public utility, such that many people are short on even drinking water and household water, not leaving water for irrigation and maintenance of gardens and farms.

This project has been very timely and will continue to grow and expand the positive impact on the community.

Your help and support is deeply acknowledged and appreciated.

Supporting local communities and small farmers continue to embrace and thrive through agriculture - providing healthy food and increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Giving thanks!

Hi my name is Adam Mitchel. I am creating this fundraiser as part of a community project that I am working on to help small farmers in rural Jamaica.

The intention of the project: Provide the materials, equipment, installation, technical support, skills and positive energy sharing that will be a model for small farmers in Pell River Hanover, Jamaica West Indies.

I have been working with small farmers in this community since the early 90s. Since that time there has been an ongoing decline in the number of farmers; less and less young people are choosing farming in the community. Simultaneously, there have been significant and escalating food security issues across the island. The issues are related to fewer local farmers, less land in the production of locally consumed crops, an increase in imported foods, an increase in consumption of processed foods because they are "cheaper", along with an ever-increasing rich/poor gap and lack of resources.

When will it begin: The end of February 2023, with a plan to have everything installed and planted within a few weeks total. Time is of the essence as we intend to have the plantings completed before the rainy season begins in April/May.

What will we do: The project will take place on my neighbor's existing farmland in Pell River. Purchase a 1,000-gallon water tank, along with a drip irrigation system and mulch. We will also provide the inputs and tools needed to support the farming activities. We are hiring a tractor to prepare the land. We will construct a foundation for the water tank, and connect it to the drip irrigation system. Then we will employ local farmers to help us install the system, roll out the mulch, hand hoe the mulch into place, and plant the seeds and planting stock. We will build a small rudimentary nursery to protect seedlings and tender young plants from extreme sun and rain until they are big enough to be planted in the field. Ongoing maintenance will include weeding, pruning, and plant care. Harvests will begin about a month after planting for crops like pak choi and calaloo, and will continue through the years as many of the perennial crops will be harvested at about 1 year+ from planting. Succession planting will occur so as to make the best use of the space and produce as much food as possible in a good way.

What will we grow: The farm will grow for the local community and focus on foods that are typically part of Jamaican cuisine. We are incorporating regenerative and permaculture practices that embrace the climate and soil of this part of Jamaica. Crops will include perennial crops that surround the area where the drip irrigation and mulch are being installed to. We are planning to plant bananas, plantains, papaya, and pineapple, along with taro roots, cassava, ginger, sweet potatoes, calaloo, pak choi, okra, onions, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, and other crops in rotation throughout the year.

A portion of the crop will be donated to local schools and elders in the community that could use some extra help and nourishment. The remainder will be sold at small local shops and restaurants as well as to folks that come by the farm to procure their produce - all proceeds will go to the local farmers, I am seeking no money whatsoever in return.

Why should folks consider donating to this: This is a true grass-roots project where 100% of the funds go to the community and none of it goes to administrative costs or otherwise. By supporting this project, you will help us achieve the goal and implement the project fully and completely. This will help the farmers be in as good a position as possible to see the success of the project over time and continue it on their own, also inspiring others in the community to follow suit. We will help improve food access on a local level to a group of people that previously had an extensive and abundant local farmer base and local food network, but has been negatively impacted by a global supply chain.

What if I have questions before donating: We love questions and talking about this project. Feel free to reach out with any questions you have.

How will donors know the project is effective and helping as intended: The intention is to utilize a public platform for sharing video and photo content along with updates. We are not hiring a professional film team or anything like that - but we do understand the value of photos and videos, and we want folks to be able to feel some of the joy and positivity that the donations are supporting.

Thank you for considering, and sharing this fundraiser with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others that may be interested in donating.