Growth & Jobs | Leading from the land

In the farming district of Summer Hill, St Ann – where agriculture still anchors daily life– two women are sowing the seeds of change. Fern Campbell and Jean McDermott, president and vice president of the Seville Farmers Benevolent Society, are not only tending crops, but leading a quiet revolution in how rural farming is sustained, strengthened, and shared.

For Fern Campbell, this work is deeply personal.

“I am a daughter of the soil,” she says with quiet pride. “My grandfather farmed this same land. After returning to Jamaica, I knew I had to revitalise farming here in Summer Hill.”

That mission is rooted in Sweet Lilly Farm, Campbell’s five-acre spread of rich Jamaican earth. She currently cultivates three acres of onions, along with ginger, pineapple, sweet corn, peppers, tomatoes, melon, plantains, bananas, and carrots. Behind each crop is a clear strategy, driven by increasing demand and an ambitious plan for growth.

“The appetite for local onions and ginger is growing rapidly. I plan to expand to 10, maybe even 15 acres,” she shares. “There’s real potential here.”

Working alongside her is Jean McDermott – a steadfast organiser and advocate, known for bringing clarity and direction to the collective work of the Seville Farmers Benevolent Society. As vice president, McDermott plays a central role in mobilising members, building partnerships, and encouraging more women to step confidently into agricultural leadership.

“Women have always formed the backbone of farming,” Jean reflects. “What’s shifting now is our visibility. We’re stepping forward – not just as caretakers of the land, but as leaders shaping its future.”

Yet, even with skill, strategy, and ambition, one barrier remains constant: water. Like many farmers in Summer Hill, Campbell depends almost entirely on rainfall. Without reliable access to water, her vision for expansion remains at risk.

That’s why the recent donation of 30 water drums from the Desnoes & Geddes (D&G) Foundation – under its Growing with Communities initiative – arrived not just as a gift, but as a lifeline.

“Sometimes, a drum means the difference between surviving a drought or losing your entire crop,” she explained.

“We hope this donation signals confidence in the capacity of small farmers to lead Jamaica’s push toward food security and sustainable agriculture,” said Dennis Beckford, D&G Foundation Accountant.

The impact has been immediate. Farmers like Marlene Brown, Glanville Jarrett, Barrington Smith, and Clayton Morgan have all expressed how the additional water storage is improving their ability to plan and plant more confidently. But for Fern and Jean, this is just the beginning.

Their leadership is not limited to cultivation – it’s about transformation. They are nurturing a vision where farming uplifts entire communities, where rural women stand at the forefront of innovation and resilience.

“This goes beyond Sweet Lilly,” Campbell says. “It’s about the women who show up every day with hoes and forks in hand – raising crops while raising families. We’re proving that rural women are key drivers of growth, both in the soil and in the society.”

In Summer Hill, the days may be long, the rain unpredictable, and the terrain demanding – but hope runs deep.

“These drums aren’t just containers,” Campbell adds. “They’re tools. One will store rainwater, the other will help with crop spraying. Right now, the farm is rainfed, so this is vital. I need more, yes – but this is a strong start.”

And as Jean puts it: “This isn’t just about food production. It’s about building pride, creating opportunity, and preserving the agricultural knowledge that built this country.”

With Campbell and McDermott leading from the land, the future of farming in St. Ann feels not only possible – but powerful.