Food producer network 2020 grantee

Rowan Higgs' Farm

Rowan Higgs’ Farm was founded 20 years ago, initially growing only mangoes and avocados but expanding over the years to also produce limes, sugar-apples, and more than 200 other fruit trees. This variety allows the Higgs to take advantage of different growing seasons and expand the harvest season significantly. Following Hurricane Dorian, though, the farm saw significant damages — up to 75% loss of fruit trees.

The farm’s first priority is to clean up damage that the hurricane caused on the farm so they can establish which trees will remain viable producers, remove dead trees, and get water to the surviving ones. This is where the Plow to Plate grant comes into play: the Higgses will purchase a zero-turn mower, water pump, and irrigation system. In the next phase, they will replace the badly damaged or dead fruit trees with new ones, including 100 new mango trees. With this help, over the next year, the farm estimates it can increase its harvest from 1,000 to 2,000 mangoes, and from 2,000 to at least 4,000 avocados, which will require hiring an additional employee to help with the harvest.