Farm group gifts produce to Old Harbour golden age home

While Walsch was making reference to a universal ethos on how we should instil in our children certain important values, the moral of his message is an eternal truism that transcends beyond age limits.

It is with this philosophy that a group of farmers from within the Gutters, St Catherine area made a kind gesture to the Miss Robbie Golden Age Home located along East Street, Old Harbour.

Friday afternoon (April 22), two representatives from the 21-member United Farmers Group presented fresh produce from their farms as a gift to the home, founded by the late Gloria Robinson, arguably Old Harbour’s most beloved justice of the peace.

The basket of goods included pumpkin, breadfruit, callaloo, okra, sweet pepper, cucumber and melon.

Though small in numbers it was always the mission of the farming group to give back, outside of its core operations, to the community in a meaningful way, said Patrice Farr.

“We know that people live here (at the golden home), we know that things are challenging and so it’s really from the heart that we want to share a portion of what our handy work, or our produce, and what the Lord has blessed us with,” Farr told Old Harbour News after a photo-op.

It is the first time that the team is making such a thoughtful charitable statement, and has pledged to continue their laudable act by donating to the home every three months.

“Whatever it is that the farmers in the group produce we are willing to take a portion out of it and contribute it to ‘Miss Robbie’,” Farr added.

Lisa Black, a justice of the peace and daughter of the home’s founder who was popularly known as ‘Miss Robbie’, was grateful for the offerings presented.

Black has continued the work of her mother, who was a local heroine to the people of Old Harbour, housing on her premises persons who have fallen on hard times, as well as those shut-in at other places of abode across Old Harbour.

“Every mickle mek a muckle,” Black said, reciting an old Jamaican proverb.

Robinson started the voluntary operated care home in 1988 following the passage of Hurricane Gilbert which left many persons without a home. The late JP focused on helping the most vulnerable in the community by offering them a place to stay at the present property where she also lived.

“We know that it is in giving that we receive so we are sharing with them. We are not anticipating anything but we know that it will come back to us in some form or shape,” Farr said in the company of fellow farmer and group member, Michelle Wallace.

Consist of primarily small-scaled famers, the United Farmers Group also includes individuals who specialises in farm research, and  an agronomist. They have built up a strong working relationship with RADA – the state’s advisory agency on farming at all levels.

“We are working in a myriad of ways to try and get farmers involve and get them educated and let them know what we are really about and that farming is the way to go,” Farr said.

As females Farr and Wallace represent a minority within the group, but have been vocal in encouraging other women, especially young girls, to pursue agriculture as a viable business venture.

“We would like to get more women to get involve to let them understand that you don’t have to sit around and wait, you get a little piece of land and do something for yourself. And it pays,” she said.