As part of its class project, which challenges participants to apply their leadership skills through community-focused initiatives, the Leadership Cayman Class of 2026 recently hosted a farming and food security initiative aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and local food production in the Cayman Islands.
The project, titled ‘Island Harvest Community Collaboration’, held on 16 May at the Cayman Community Farm in Newlands, was designed to give participants hands-on experience in farming while raising awareness about the challenges facing local agriculture and food accessibility.
Organised by Leadership Cayman participants Kimberley Rhone, Luigi Moxam and Nayo Swan, the farming project included planting, harvesting, weeding, packaging produce and assisting with food distribution efforts.
Crops planted during the event included broccoli, cauliflower, pak choi and kale, while harvested produce included tomatoes, pumpkin, scallion, thyme, rosemary, mint, bananas, plantains and callaloo.
The project also involved partnerships with organisations including Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE) and the National Children’s Voluntary Organisation.
The Cayman Community Farm, established in 2021, provides free fruit and vegetables to elderly and underprivileged residents across all three islands. Produce from the farm is distributed to organisations including Meals on Wheels and the NCVO Community Pantry.
Organisers said the project was intended not only to support food distribution efforts but also to educate participants about sustainable farming, healthy eating and environmental stewardship while encouraging greater support for local food production.
Leadership Cayman Planning Committee chair Melissa Whorms said the initiative reflected the programme’s focus on service and community engagement.
“The Island Harvest Community Collaboration Day was a true reflection of leadership in action – a day filled with energy, teamwork and purpose as participants supported families in need and learned directly from those involved in agriculture and community outreach,” Whorms said.
Panel discussion
Following the farm activities, participants attended a panel discussion and farm-to-table brunch at Thatch & Barrel restaurant. The panel featured Deputy Director of Agriculture Demoy Nash and Miss Universe Cayman Islands Tahiti Seymour.
Discussions focused on sustainable farming, food security and ways to strengthen Cayman’s agricultural sector, including increasing youth involvement in farming and addressing infrastructure challenges faced by local farmers.
Seymour said the event encouraged meaningful dialogue about Cayman’s food system.
“The panel successfully engaged community members across various industries in meaningful discussions about our food system,” she said. “We shared diverse experiences in agriculture, high-level insights from food industry leaders and perspectives on how youth are shaping modern systems.”
Giving back to the community
Moxam said the project also resulted in meals being distributed within the community.
“We were so happy to donate 150 meals made at Cayman Cabana from the produce we harvested with Leadership Cayman and the Cayman Community Farm as well as from items donated from the public,” he said.
The project successfully highlighted broader issues impacting food security in Cayman, including dependence on imported food, rising food prices and supply chain disruptions, while encouraging greater appreciation for locally grown produce.
Leadership Cayman, a programme run by the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, brings together professionals from across industries to examine key national issues through workshops, site visits and community initiatives focused on leadership and civic engagement. One of its central components is the annual class project.
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