Williams College January 2012 ENVI 25 Sustainable Eleuthera

Farm Interviews

Elideux Joseph • Traditional Pothole farming technique • No chemicals or irrigation "Every time someone says thank you, I get rain. " - why he gave away his produce

David Carey • Heavy herbicide use • Lost $30, 000 in Hurricane Irene • No insurance; government came to evaluate damages but never followed up • Sells to the packing house, but refuses to do so on a large scale because it's not profitable: "They're just irresponsible. . . I've been given $0. 12/lb for cabbages, how are you going to do that? . . . I like working, but I don't like working for nothing!"

Bishop Nixon “They say all the right things, but do nothing. ”- on government • Not enough support from government; sells only 10%of produce to packing house • Reserved about Wild Dog Initiative, lost 30 animals to dogs • Head of Farmer's Association in South Eleuthera, currently working on Green House Initiative

Bishop Dudley Kelly • Lost his crop this year to Irene • Hurricanes are a big challenge to farmers on Eleuthera • Stresses the need for government to encourage youth to become part of agriculture. "If you don't have young men and women in any business, then that business is dying. "

Edrin Symonette • Suggests government programs and other start-up assistance for potential farmers • Recommends both citrus and livestock as profitable ventures, though fixed costs are high • Highly supportive of a processing plant A processing plant would allow farmers to sell grades B-D produce, establish new markets, encourage alternative crops and make farming more attractive as a profession.

Pharis Cash • Takes advantage of government funding and land programs • Has issues with marketing during a glut • Suggested that a processing plant would be very successful I have too many pumpkins, no one will take them. I just leave them on the ground to rot and go back into the Earth.

Lady Di • Daughter is interested in farming • Soil is rich enough to grow pineapples, always in demand so one of the most successful farmers • Thought that processing plant should not be run by government but rather farmer's association "I always like to play in the dirt and farming is fun and easy. " -Sabrina, Lady Di's daughter.

Packinghouse: Background Operations • Ministry of Agriculture • Middle Man • Straight to Nassau

Packinghouse: Background Operations • Middle Man • Straight to Nassau • Ministry of Agriculture Interviews • Godfrey Deveaux (Packinghouse manager in S. Eleuthera) • Phillip Miller (Under Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture) • Amanda Wells (Agricultural Officer with BAIC)

Packinghouse: Current Issues • • Lack of availability of local food on Eleuthera Low prices for farmers 9000 dollar cap Dismantling system?

Packinghouse: Suggestions Communication • Distributing Intermediary • Communicative Link • BAIC (Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation)

Packinghouse: Suggestions Communication • Distributing Intermediary • Communicative Link • BAIC (Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation) 9000 Dollar Cap

Packinghouse: Suggestions Communication • Distributing Intermediary • Communicative Link • BAIC (Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation) 9000 Dollar Cap Packinghouse Future • Expand the role • Only institution in place

Processing Plant

Problems • Packing House only buys Grade A produce, Grade B-D either processed by the farmers or is “left on the field”

Problems • Packing House only buys Grade A produce, Grade B-D either processed by the farmers or is “left on the field” • Gluts on certain crops, make their cultivation unprofitable

Problems • Packing House only buys Grade A produce, Grade B-D either processed by the farmers or is “left on the field” • Gluts on certain crops, make their cultivation unprofitable • Packing House requirements “force” the farmers to use excessive amounts of fertilizers to achieve the Grade A standard

The Economic Opportunity

Value Added Through Processing Raw/Processed Product Unit Price of Unprocessed Products (USD) Packaging or Canning Containers' Cost (USD) Average Price of Processed (USD) 1 Tomato/Salsa lb 0. 68 6 2 Banana/Banana Chips lb 0. 4 10 3 Cabbage/Kimchi 12 for 1 case 7 for 1 lb 4 Mango/Dried Mango 17 for 1 case 56 for 1 lb 5 Pumpkin/Canned Pumpkin lb 0. 25 3 0. 50 6 Watermelon/Wt. Melon Juice lb 0. 3 10 0. 40 0. 50 Assumptions: 1. Pricelist 2. Conservative Estimate of Price of the Processed Good

The Model • Stationary • Equipment Purchased already? • High capacity • Ability to process several crops • Cost: ? • Geography

The Model • Geography • Lower capacity • Ability to process several crops • Cost: Vermont Mobile Flash Freeze Unit - USD $75, 000 • Mobile

Further Considerations & Suggestions • Importance of various types of equipment • Need for training on Marketing and Researching – Simeon Pinder • The Standard of Quality • Niche marketing • Ownership structure o Private o Packing house management o Farmer's association

Mobile Slaughterhouse • Livestock a good investment for farmers o Large demand

Mobile Slaughterhouse • Livestock a good investment for farmers o Large demand o Available year-round

Mobile Slaughterhouse • Livestock a good investment for farmers o Large demand o Available year-round o More profitable than produce

Mobile Slaughterhouse • Livestock a good investment for farmers o Large demand o Available year-round o More profitable than produce o Young people relatively interested

Mobile Slaughterhouse • Livestock a good investment for farmers o Large demand o Available year-round o More profitable than produce o Young people relatively interested • Issues with livestock production o Lack of slaughterhouse

Mobile Slaughterhouse • Livestock a good investment for farmers o Large demand o Available year-round o More profitable than produce o Young people relatively interested • Issues with livestock production o Lack of slaughterhouse o Wild dogs

• M o b Mobile slaughterhouse more suitable than stationary i o Lower cost: stationary slaughterhouse costs four times as much l o Fits needs of geographically dispersed farmers e o Decreases stresses put on animals, increasing quality of meat S "I would buy local but l I have to keep my reputation. " a - Chef at high-end urestaurant g

Mobile slaughterhouse: Operation Public vs. private ownership • inefficiency problem with public ownership. • default danger with private ownership. • Animal waste o Hides processed to make leather o Other waste can be used to make fertilizer

Restaurants • Potential market, but current problems o Cost o Consistency o Lack of coordination • Interviewed 10 chefs and buyers about local problems

Restaurants: Suggestions Changes to packing house system • Increase communication with buyers • Act as centralized distributor

Restaurants: Suggestions Changes to packing house system Mobile slaughterhouse • Allows for legal sale of local meat • Faster, fresher delivery

Restaurants: Suggestions Changes to packing house system Mobile slaughterhouse Value added plant • Increases availability • Pre-made food products

Restaurants: Suggestions Changes to packing house system Mobile slaughterhouse Value added plant Increasing marketing of local food • Increases demand for local food • Focus on tourists

Restaurants: Suggestions Changes to packing house system Mobile slaughterhouse Value added plant Increasing marketing of organics Changing planting of crops • Increasing lettuce, other greens • Focus on what is needed on island

Youth and the Future of Farming

Youth and the Future of Farming “If I had a message to to send to the Bahamian government, it would be to encourage young men. ” -Bishop Dudley Kelly on the future of farming

Youth and the Future of Farming • Visit to Central Eleuthera High School

Youth and the Future of Farming • Visit to Central Eleuthera High School • Student demographics

Youth and the Future of Farming • Visit to Central Eleuthera High School • Student demographics • Student interviews

Youth and the Future of Farming Survey Results

Youth and the Future of Farming Survey Results • Did you enjoy farming?

Youth and the Future of Farming Survey Results • Would you consider farming as an occupation?

Youth and the Future of Farming Survey Results

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids like farming?

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids like farming? • Gender divide

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids like farming? • Gender divide • Common complaints

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids like farming? • Gender divide • Common complaints 3) Physical difficulty

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids like farming? • Gender divide • Common complaints 3) Physical difficulty 2) Weather

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids like farming? • Gender divide • Common complaints 3) Physical difficulty 2) Weather "The sun is very harsh and hot. . . it's not good!"

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids like farming? • Gender divide • Common complaints 3) Physical difficulty 2) Weather 1) Cleanliness

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids like farming? • Gender divide • Common complaints 3) Physical difficulty 2) Weather 1) Cleanliness "I don't like it, too dirty. I don't wanna get out and get dirty that much. "

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally?

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals o Recurring themes

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals o Recurring themes § Stability

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals o Recurring themes § Stability § Higher education

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals • Perception of farming as an occupation

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals • Perception of farming as an occupation o Perceived role of farming

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals • Perception of farming as an occupation o Perceived role of farming "Just the essential things I need the most. . . not on a large scale. "

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals • Perception of farming as an occupation o Perceived role of farming "Most of my friends want to do something big. "

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals • Perception of farming as an occupation o Perceived role of farming o Reasons for aversion

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals • Perception of farming as an occupation o Perceived role of farming o Reasons for aversion 3) Distance

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals • Perception of farming as an occupation o Perceived role of farming o Reasons for aversion 3) Distance "It's not what we do. . . the old folks do it. "

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals • Perception of farming as an occupation o Perceived role of farming o Reasons for aversion 3) Distance 2) Unprofitable

Youth and the Future of Farming Why don't kids want to farm professionally? • Common career goals • Perception of farming as an occupation o Perceived role of farming o Reasons for aversion 3) Distance 2) Unprofitable 1) Unstable

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Mentorship program in school

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Mentorship program in school o Benefits to agriculture class

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Mentorship program in school o Benefits to agriculture class o Positive role models

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Mentorship program in school o Benefits to agriculture class o Positive role models o Natural professional support

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Mentorship program in school o Benefits to agriculture class o Positive role models o Natural professional support o Supports existing farmers

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Support from government

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Support from government o Current support for farming

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Support from government o Current support for farming o Possible ways to help

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Support from government o Current support for farming o Possible ways to help § Land grant system

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Support from government o Current support for farming o Possible ways to help § Land grant system § Technical assistance

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Support from government o Current support for farming o Possible ways to help § Land grant system § Technical assistance § Processing plant

Youth and the Future of Farming Recommendations • Support from government o Current support for farming o Possible ways to help § Land grant system § Technical assistance § Processing plant § Meat processing

Thank You to Josh Shultz for all of his help with our interviews and research, and for showing us around Eleuthera! also to the Island School for hosting us on campus, and to Shaun Ingraham for his support!