Jamaica: Farming in the City: Farming leads to harmonious partnership in Jones Town

“Anything wi plant, mi successful with it. And anything wi plant, it sell. Everybody sell, everybody have dem customers, and wi not taking each other’s customers,” said Williams.

By Sashana Small
Jamaica Star
June 17, 2019

Excerpt:

The vegetable farm on 25 Woodrowe Street in Jones Town, Kingston, has been a place of harmony for Michael Williams and 75-year-old Rebecca Bennett. For four years, the two, along with Bennett’s husband, 75-year-old George Bennett, have been planting green lush rows of callaloo, okra, Scotch bonnet pepper and corn.

The land was donated by the Jones Town Baptist Church, and it was the silver lining Williams needed when he was made redundant from his job.

“I have a lot more time now than when I used to work. Mi just come in the morning, do what mi have fi do – water; if mi fi weed out mi weed out; and just go back up ‘bout 10 or 11 o’clock sometimes, and just come back in the evening again,” he said.

For Bennett, she retired from her housekeeping job of 40 years and was looking for something more relaxing to do.

“I love to see the plants grow. Like a baby, I take care of it. I need the money to fall back on. At least it can provide food on the table,” she said.

Read the complete article here.