Farming on the Rock

Avia Ustanny, Freelance Writer

WHAT'S A woman with green fingers to do? Planting petunias is not the only option open to those women who love plants with a passion.

Dawn Ottey, CEO of Rock Mountain Herbs Limited, says that "Farming was my father's hobby." It is now her career, taking on the challenge full time, after walking away from a job as Senior Planner with the Jamaica National Export Corporation.

It was an opportunity to show others that what she believed in could be done. The farm, located in Rock Hall, St. Andrew, produces pre-cut vegetables, fresh herbs on a smaller scale and salad greens.

Now, things are going well. A lot of difficulties laid the ground work for what is now a solid operation.

The current vegetable production represents a switch in direction, spurred on by hurricane and other difficulties. They were producing blooms for the export market, before. "We got completely demolished by the hurricane (Gilbert)," she recalls. This disaster came after they had secured a loan for expansion. It was a very depressing season.

But, she was determined, and with the backing of her husband, Dr. Frank Ottey, Rock Mountain Farms was back in production by late 1989. Export re-started though, in 1990, the market was weaker because of competition. A significant price drop forced Dawn to look around for alternatives to flowers.

Fortunately, the herb craze was just on the rise and they switched production to fresh herbs. This was a 24-hour operation, with crops reaped just one day before shipment and stored in cool facilities. Unfortunately, the airport did not have the necessary cold room facilities . There was also a problem in shipping the product to Canda.

The need to transport the product in cold trucks was also a major headache. It was time again, for a change in direction.

"At the time, we took the decision to develop a firm local base. Up to this point, we were relying entirely on the export market. We closed out the business in Canada with some major recievables which we never collected. We just had to walk away.

"Producing for the local market would represent reduced risk factors in terms of exposure to changing weather conditions. It was at this time that one of my children said to me that the fast food suppliers are growing the fastest. We saw where we could contribute to minimising the production time, which is of paramount importance in the fast food business."

At a JEA seminar on pre-cut vegetables, she met Thalia Lyn of Island Grill, a long-time school mate who she hadn't seen in years, who encouraged her to produce the crop. Research started and, after six months of testing and checking with the Scientific Research Council, the new venture was implemented.

"One advantage we had was equipment," Mrs. Ottey recalls. "We already had a cold room from the days of herbs." The company which declared itself willing to work with them in this experimental stage was Restaurants of Jamaica (KFC).

After one year negotiating the contract, she began an association which she describes as very beneficial, "taking us through the learning process". The company assisted in quality control, and food safety regulations.

"We started off in the right way," Ottey comments. The company has now met international standards.

The focus is now turning to other restaurant chains and the hotel trade. "We are holding our own and we still have capacity for more. It is not a large margin. It never will be. But by volume we hope to make it."

She has no regrets about leaving her job as Senior Planner. "When I walk outside of here and look across the valley, I am satisfied. I really do enjoy what I do," she claims.

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