Hyacinth Bernard reaping okras on her farm in Bulls Bay, Hanover.
-Claudia Gardner photo
This week, Farmers Weekly begins a series of features on rural women in agriculture with Hyacinth Bernard from Hanover.
Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
EARLIER THIS year, Hyacinth Bernard of Bulls Bay, Hanover expanded her agricultural pursuits from just being a small livestock farmer and began cultivating fruits, vegetables and other crops.
Ms. Bernard, a mother of three had long been sourcing agricultural produce from the markets, but she had become wary of them citing that some farmers were reportedly using large amounts of chemical fertilisers and pesticides on their plants.
She said her entry into small farming - primarily organic - has provided more than the confidence that she is consuming 'safer' foods, it has helped her to be more meaningfully engaged.
"I like spending time nurturing my plants, sometimes I spend up to three hours with them," she said.
Ms. Bernard also noted that as a result of her engagement in growing crops, she had managed to cut cost in shopping. "The food that I plant tastes better than those at the market... I believe that is because I do not use artificial fertilisers."
Ms. Bernard, who also rears a few goats, said that while she could not increase her farm acreage, because of limited space, she would be increasing the number of goats she raises.
She currently cultivates her crops near a wetland in Bulls Bay.
