Jamaicans in Florida Assist Vegetable Farmers

Five vegetable farmers from the rural community of Flagstaff in St. James, who suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Ivan, have benefited from US$1,000 worth of farm equipment and supplies donated by Jamaicans in South Florida.
The donation includes vegetable seedlings, fertilizers, equipment and plant materials. The farmers, who produce crops for local retail on about 2.4 hectares (six acres) of land, had lost all farming tools and supplies during the hurricane and were without the resources to rebuild to sustain their livelihood.
Their plight was discovered by production staff from WSRF-1580 AM – a Jamaican-owned radio station in South Florida – who were in the island covering the hurricane damage and they offered to help.
On returning to South Florida, broadcaster Roy Miller initiated the assistance effort with the support of Big Brothers Construction Company in Miami and Jamaica United Relief Association (JURA), which is a charitable organization.
Farm Hut Company, located in Montego Bay, also assisted in the distribution of materials to the needy farmers.