St Ann farmer eyes agritourism empire

What started as a simple observation of her husband's success in farming has turned into a powerful journey of perseverance and reinvention for Tricia Smith.

Hailing from Claremont, St Ann, Smith initially dismissed farming as a viable option, having watched her father struggle to make ends meet on their four-acre property. But everything changed when she saw her husband's profits from a harvest of Scotch bonnet peppers.

"My husband planted some hot pepper and when he reaped one of his harvests, it was my monthly salary when he sold it. I said, 'So if he's doing that, then I could try and do something as well,'" Smith recalled, igniting her spark to take farming seriously.

However, her journey didn't come without challenges. Despite her determination, Smith faced setbacks. Drought conditions, rocky terrain, and a lack of capital made it difficult for her crops to thrive.

"I lost a lot of money from buying the seedlings and planting them out. They did not come because I didn't have any irrigation, so they dried up. The terrain that I have is very rocky; it's hill and mostly limestone, so I lost a lot of money in that," she lamented.

But giving up was never an option. Instead, Smith sought guidance through the Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP), a six-month entrepreneurial training initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining. With support from the Jamaica 4-H Clubs and HEART/NSTA Trust, the programme helped Smith develop a clearer vision for her future.

"I'm in a phase now where I'm pivoting. I am looking at doing a nursery because I had constructed one, but I had not intended to use it to sell seedlings," she said. "I wanted to use it to start off my plants and then plant them out, but I don't have the support and capital is very low. So, I am considering now to turn that into a nursery, where I'll be selling the seedlings because there's a great market for it."

Not only does Smith aim to boost the local economy, but she is also committed to empowering her community. She plans to hire a mother from her neighbourhood to assist with the nursery.

But that's just the beginning for Smith. Her ultimate dream is to transform her four-acre farm into a thriving agritourism hub where visitors can experience the beauty of rural Jamaica.

"As a child, I always wanted to build a bed and breakfast, or something, on the property and have persons stay there. In St Ann, there is a lot of tourism. Ocho Rios is right up the road, and I'm not aware of any agritourism farms [in the parish]. So, now I'm thinking of actualising that dream," Smith shared.

Her plans for the farm are as ambitious as they are exciting: a cabin, complete with a spa and pool; a farm-to-table restaurant featuring food grown on-site; and even a venue for events, such as weddings and parties, crafted from recycled materials.

Smith also has big plans for the farming side of the business, including the use of aquaponics and the installation of concrete grow beds to optimise crop production. She plans to build an in-ground irrigation tank to keep the farm running smoothly.

Thanks to her RYEEP training, Smith has already begun reaching out to potential investors for the nursery, bringing her dream one step closer to reality.

"I've started discussions with an investor and the feedback from the documents I presented has been good. She was asking who assisted me to prepare them, because they were very professional and very well done and I told her that I had received training...so I did them myself," Smith proudly shared.

Smith's message to other young people? Take advantage of RYEEP.

"Most definitely, they need to sign up, because for one thing - the training is free. You're basically being paid to train, since you're provided with a stipend and the transportation is paid for. You are receiving knowledge on not only crop production or animal production, but whatever area you choose, whether it is apiculture or agro-processing," she encouraged.

The training isn't just about farming. Smith highlighted that RYEEP also offers essential skills in business development, marketing, stress management, and entrepreneurship, setting participants up for success no matter the industry.

"We are also exposed to a network of like-minded individuals. The information that they provide you and the people that they connect you with can be so invaluable. So, it is a win-win all around. It's not something you're paying for and at the end of it, you're being certified in whatever area you are in; so it's an excellent opportunity," Smith said.