Marlene McPherson, Gleaner Writer
Left: Michael Black (left) and Stephen. - MARLENE MCPHERSON PHOTO.
Right:
Young farmer Emmanuel Thompson in a face-off with his prized ram goat during
one of their many play sessions. - PHOTO BY IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
LYSSONS, St. Thomas:
MICHAEL BLACK is one of the few persons who have done well in agriculture, and his son Stephen Black is following closely. Together, the father and son team has established and successfully managed a 700-acre coconut estate in Nutts River, St. Thomas.
The success of the Blacks has been built on the determination and hardwork of five generations who had a natural love for agriculture. This has been inherited by Michael and his son Stephen who both share a natural synergy and passion in their quest to keep the business alive.
The older Black revealed that he was born in Manchester in 1931. As a child, he moved from place to place due to his father's work assignments as a supervisor at the Lands Department. For a while, he lived in St. Mary and went to the Water Valley Primary School then moved on to Jamaica College in Kingston.
After moving to several locations across the island, he finally settled in Seven Miles, Bull Bay, where he established a farm. There he reared over 600 goats, 18 cows and a number of pigs.
"I made use of the hillside," he said laughing. The older Black later bought land in Nutts River, St. Thomas, on which he reared over 4,000 pigs, 2,000 heads of cattle and 600 sheep.
"During this time, I travelled daily to look after the farm because the children were all going to school. So on weekends, they would all come to St. Thomas."
In 1983, Michael Black won the coveted 'Champion farmer' title at the annual Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show - agriculture's premier event. However, the high cost of feed and competition from pork imports forced him to eventually sell his animals and turn to planting coconuts. Today, that farm is over 700 acres.
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
The younger Black, who is now the director of the business, is continuing the legacy. He returned to manage the farm after studying Business Administration in Canada. "I came back to the farm because I love farming," he said.
Today, the farm not only grows coconuts, but it also produces bottled coconut water, exports coconut seedlings and has diversified into other crops like ackee and coffee which are in strong demand on the export market. Between 15,000 and 25,000 nuts are used daily. Up to 80 per cent is exported to the United States, Canada and England.
"During the summer season, we are unable to fulfil our market so there is thought of further expansion," Stephen revealed.
He, however, emphasised that the business was risky as it was susceptible to natural disasters such as storms, hurricanes and diseases. The lethal yellowing disease is the main disease affecting the coconut industry but so far, the Blacks have been successful in containing it.
Amid all the achievements, the Blacks are selfless. They attribute a large part to the hardwork and dedication of the workers on the farm. They employ between 30 and 300 workers seasonally.
