Aubrey & Lubitza
Dominica – Aubrey Binoe
Dominica is Twenty-Nine miles long and 18 miles wide, it houses 9 dormant volcanoes, the largest cluster on earth, 365 rivers, and 75% of the land mass consists of protected rainforest.
On September 18th 2017, Category 5 Hurricane Maria tore through Dominica and other Caribbean islands. Winds close to 200 mph stripped the rainforest of all its leaves and laid waste to more than 90% of the agricultural and tourism sectors on the island. Thousands are still without roofs and electricity with no income to pay for damages.
About the Farm
Free Up Farm is a 7-acre farm at 1,600 ft. above sea level nestled at the base of Dominica's largest peak (and inactive volcano) Mourne Diabolotin. We have over 300 trees planted, an assortment of unique fruit and medicinals including Cacao, Mangosteen, Soursop, Moringa and Neem. The farm will serve as a demonstration site for the sustainability and profitability of permaculture and organic farming methods.
We have partnered with the local rotary club, hotels, restaurants and have begun talks about introducing permaculture into local primary and secondary schools. A start-up grant from Northeastern University has helped manage and support the farm in its mission to serve as an education center, a source of income for the a agricultural community and a gateway to a more resolute chapter for the Nature Island of the Caribbean
Moringa & Climate Resilience
We care deeply about Dominica, and the fate of similar nations that are having to manage the chaos of changing climate. Growing cycles and market demand for dried Moringa leaf will help build resiliency.
One of the cornerstones of the permaculture methodology is the emphasis on diversity. Diversity fosters the environment for resiliency. We have had many discussions with farmers on the island who relied solely on citrus, coffee, and banana harvests; most saw their crops decimated with tropical storm Erika and what remained of their tree crops completely blown away by Maria a couple years later.
Free up Farm showcases the awesome variety that exists in Dominica while specializing in climate-resilient cash crops and appropriate design systems to brace for a seasonal storm season. "You have to have a back-up for your back-up," was what we learned from a local eco-lodge owner.
To know more about their Vision and project visit FreeUpFarm or Donate below