As the owner of Sunsweet Farm in the district of Bodden Town, Colleen Cummings began farming as a business during the pandemic.
She grows a variety of produce which she sells at the Hamlin Stephenson Farmers Market in George Town, on Saturdays, as well as making deliveries.
“As far back as I can remember, I have been planting seeds and caring for plants,” she says. “I have always fancied growing food from seed and always wanted to have a farm of my own. During lockdown, I started looking for property and found a farm for sale. I purchased the property, and I’ve been realising my dream ever since.”
Colleen also has a full-time job so works on the one-acre property in the evenings, weekends, and holidays. In season for summer, she will have cantaloupe, watermelon, zucchini, corn, string and long beans, sweet peppers, hot peppers, and mangoes to take to market.
“I love watching my crops mature from the beginning stage as a seedling to a mature product ready for harvest,” she says. “We pride ourselves on the quality and variety of the produce we have available.”
Colleen is passionate about farming in the Cayman Islands, seeing it as an important part of the local economy and culture. “Farming creates jobs, it provides food,” she says. “If you have eaten today, thank a farmer.”
She points out that is important to take food security seriously and to preserve land for agriculture. “More land needs to be earmarked for farming and raising animals,” she says. “There is a lot of construction underway and there is less land to use to produce food. In response to these changes, we are moving towards vertical farming and hydroponic techniques.”
Colleen’s farm produce
Lettuce, broccoli, callaloo, cauliflower, sweet pepper, a variety of hot peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon, okra, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, bok choy and eggplants. Seasonal fruits of mango, guava, mammy apple and apple banana.
Mango smoothie
Colleen loves to make smoothies with her fruit and, in honour of mango season, she has shared her recipe for a mango smoothie.
“I am sharpening my teeth in anticipation,” she says.
Ingredients
- 1 mango, peeled, chopped
- 1 banana, chopped
- 1-inch piece ginger, peeled, finely grated
- ½ cup coconut water
- Pinch of kosher salt
Method
Purée mango, banana, ginger, coconut water, salt, and 1 cup ice in a blender until smooth. Makes two servings. Divide between glasses.
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