Farmer to Farmer Bahamas
Extension Education
Jennifer Schutter
HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST
KIRKSVILLE
Abstract
The Bahamas is made up of about 700 islands and home to about 400,000 people. Tourism is the number one industry. Fishing and farming make up a small percentage of the Gross National Product. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 hurricane, hit the Bahamian Islands and caused extensive damage, especially on the island of Abaco. In 2020, Covid-19 had a major impact on the country’s economy as tourism came to a halt. Transportation issues and importing food became a problem. The Bahamas imports about 92% of their food. Finding ways to grow their own food and sell it as a business become a priority. An emphasis on tourism in recent decades pulled people away from the agriculture industry. As a result, there are fewer people involved in agriculture which resulted in a loss of agriculture knowledge and farming practices. The hurricane and pandemic presented a great need for increased local agriculture production and sustainable food sourcing. Through the Farmer-to-Farmer Program, Convoy of Hope connected United States based agricultural expertise with local producers and consumers in the Bahamas. Since its founding in 1994, Convoy of Hope?has served as a faith-based, nonprofit organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreach, and disaster response. In partnership with local churches, businesses, civic organizations, and government agencies, Convoy strategically offers help and hope to communities around the world.?They contacted University of Missouri Extension for assistance in providing educational resources to the people of the Bahamas. Nine teams of two agriculture specialists were organized for 2-week visits over 11 months to the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco. Morning trainings for commercial producers and backyard farmers were held simultaneously on a variety of horticulture and agriculture business topics, with afternoon field trips to supplement what was learned in the training. As a result, many Bahamians have started backyard farming to grow their own food and become more sustainable. They learned the importance of being productive, efficient and keeping good records. Two companies went back into commercial farming as a result of what they learned.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Jennifer Schutter
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Schutter, J. HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 63501