The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

One farm has pivoted to providing backyard farming consultancy services to more than 2,500 persons as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on incomes and food security.

Sidney Sinclair, principal of Down too Earth Adventure Farms, told Tribune Business that the business has received multiple visits and inquiries from persons seeking to start their own backyard farming initiative. Over the past 24 months, the number of persons who he either monitors a backyard farm for, or purchase seedlings and fertilizer to keep it maintained properly, has grown to 2,500 people

“I always keep a good selection of seeds. It was never difficult for me during the COVID-19, because once the soil is good and the season is right, you will always be able to make it,” Mr Sinclair said. He does not just sell seedlings but teaches people proper grow techniques.

“April has seen me make 19 years in this business, so I know what I’m doing. I make myself available to the people and then I teach them how to grow stuff. I don’t have any problems with getting fertilizer, seedlings or feed or anything like that. Things have been steady for me,” Mr Sinclair added.

Cameron Jones, owner/operator of Harvest Fresh Organic Farms, said he makes his own feed and fertilizer, and COVID-19 has not slowed him down either.

“I make my own feed most of the time, and I have some organic feed coming in some time next week. I’m just trying to make it happen even though COVID-19 has changed a lot of things,” he added.

Mr Jones has livestock ranging from chickens, pigs and ducks, as well as fruit bearing trees. The droppings from livestock are used for fertilizer for the fruit trees and vegetables.

Pivoting to backyard farming consultancy is not something Mr Jones is very keen, adding: “You tell people to do something and they go and do something else. I have to I will, but then you have people who don’t know about farming telling people about backyard farming, and then when things go wrong they want to come and run to the farmer to fix it for them.”

Anna Edgard, owner/operator of Edgars Seedtime & Harvest Farm, added: “I usually get my feed right from the vendors on Potter’s Cay Dock. Because of what’s happening with the COVID-19 things are not as good as they should be, but it’s average.”

Backyard farming consultancy is not something Ms Edgar is concerned about, adding: “People come in and ask about it, and get seedlings when I have them, but it isn’t something I would consider long-term. I know people just want to have something for themselves instead of going to the store all the time. They can have their fresh produce right in their own yard.”