I think fate played a role when I found out about Free Up Farm for the first time. The owners of Banana Lama, a wonderful off-the-grid eco-lodge in Dominica I stayed at, had kindly offered to drive me to my next accommodation. Along the way, they made a stop at Free Up Farm to give pineapple tops, taken from their garden, to Aubrey and Lulu, the owners of Free Up Farm, for planting.

Wow, just wow! What Aubrey and Lulu are doing on their 7-acres farm is amazing and needed in Dominica. The farm is centered around organic farming practices, climate-resilient cash crops and permaculture principles. Permaculture is a holistic farming practice which integrates either all or a combination of agriculture, water harvesting and hydrology, energy, natural building, forestry, waste management, animal systems, aquaculture and community development.

A visit and tour to the farm is a must when in Dominica! On the farm, there are over 300 trees planted and an assortment of unique fruits and plants including cacao, the biggest passion fruit you will ever see, and moringa trees, to name a few. You’ll find that buying organic produce is surprisingly hard to find on the island, so be sure to pick up some while you are at the farm if available. Also, if the farm-to-table café currently being built is complete by the time you visit, chill there for a bit and get a bite. The view is great!

If you are into farming and would like to lend a hand at the farm while in Dominica, that’s a possibility as well. Just ask Aubrey and Lulu.

#Dominica