HELP BONEFISH SHAKEY GROW HOPE FOR HIS ISLAND.

My friend and I met Bonefish Shakey on a fishing trip to Crooked Island. His passion and hard work inspired us so much that we are sharing his story and helping his cause.

They call him "Bonefish Shakey," but his support of the people, the culture and the future of his tiny island home is rock solid.

Elton “Shakey” McKinney was born and raised on Crooked Island, one of the southernmost and most remote islands of the Bahamas.

He’s known as Bonefish Shakey because he spends his days guiding fishermen for Crooked Island's famous Bonefish. In fact, it was Shakey that made them famous -- he opened up these waters to fishing in the early 90’s, paying out his own money for gas and expenses as he explored the bays and flats on his tiny boat. Bonefishing is now the leading source of revenue in the area.

Shakey is a gifted and renowned fishing guide, but his passion for the health and well being of Crooked Island and its 305 residents is job one.

After grueling days on the waters, he works late each night on his other passion, Shakey’s Community Farm. He’s cleared thousands of stones from the arid land with his bare hands and a single pickaxe.

“Land” here is more like rock with a little sand and dirt sprinkled on top. But Shakey has found a source for real, rich soil – local seaweed, which he gathers on beaches to the north and then composts. He’s even started a simple irrigation system with a generator and a pump that draws scarce fresh water from deep in the marl below.

At not much more than a hundred pounds, it’s amazing that Shakey can pole a fishing skiff all day and still swing a pickaxe every evening. But his wiry frame is as strong as his will. And he works hard for a reason.

He’s seen islands like his in decline. The population on Crooked is falling. The young people are moving to busy Nassau or Canada and leaving behind their island traditions – and their families. He believes that Crooked Island is dying.

“We are losing the elements of our culture that make the island special and those things that bring us commercial success. Our kids are not embracing local traditions. They have no sense of hope here. There is no growth.”

Further, there is no reliable source for produce on Crooked Island. The population relies on meager shipments that arrive on the local mailboat just once every other week – if it arrives at all. And the produce shipped in is rarely fresh.

Shakey only needs a little to do big things. He’s proven it, growing robust squash and cabbage in this harsh environment with just his bare hands. His little farm abounds with peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, papaya, okra and more. He and his son Cocoa even brought a herd of wild goats in from neighboring Long Cay to provide milk and help groom the land.

But Shakey wants to expand his efforts and bring in the community to work together to create viable and sustainable access to healthy food versus relying on the very unreliable mail boat. And he knows just what he needs to do it.

Shaky needs a tractor. A tractor can plow and till and help with bedding and cultivating. A tractor can help expand the farm. It can move compost. A tractor can help the island create a reliable, sustainable source of fresh, healthy produce. Shakey thinks a tractor can even restore hope. He’s located just the right one on neighboring Nassau.

“We need to grow our own food – better, healthier fruits and vegetables. We need to create jobs. We need to develop a sense of pride in our community. We need to show everyone how we can prosper if we work together.”

Bonefish Shakey has done so much for Crooked Island. Each day, he fights hardship with hard work. And, with just a little of your help, he can do so much more. Please help Shakey get the tractor and grow “Shakey’s Community Farm.” Donate now and help Shakey save his island home.

Funds will go through Angela Hole, Shakey's sister.