ORGANIC GROWERS AND CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION OF BARBADOS

Courtland Hinkson (Mike in centre) Kornerstone Organic Farm

Phone#240-9156

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting to know the Farm

 

Location

 

St John, Codrington College

 

Background and history of the farm.

 

Donated by Christopher Codrington, a colonial slave owner to the former slaves in the community, the lands around Codrington College in St. John are transformed into an organic landscape By men like Mike.

Mike started to work together with Clarence on their farm in 1988 using conventional methods. In 1994, having embraced Rasta Fari and  disappointed by the inefficiency and dangers of pesticides and fertilizers, they received a grant from the UN to switch to organic farming. Mike continues to play a major role in the OGCA as former Vice President and current acting president.

 

Kinds of produce

 

Banana, figs, plantain, coconut, pumpkin, mangoes, avocado, starfruit, moringa, noni

 

Where to find their produce

 

Cheapside on Saturdays

 

 

Why organic farming?

 

Mike  realized that farming was more than a job for them; it is a way of life, as well as a passion, therefore it was important for him to work in an healthy environment, in accordance with his spirit.  

 

 

Challenges

 

Due to invasion of pests (monkeys and african snails), they had to abandon the production of certain crops (broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, kale…)

 

 

Goals

 

Apply some permaculture designs on his land, as they just completed a Permaculture Design Certification, and start a business of dried herbs for teas.

 

 

Contact

 

phone#240 9156

 

Fertilizing method

 

Chicken manure, homemade compost, mulch

 

 

Pest control methods

 

Companion planting (marigold, sweet basil), liquid tea (neem, black sage, pawpaw leaves, tobacco, aloe), salt for African snails (they want to start using seamoss)