For many Jamaican fathers, farming is more than a livelihood; it is a way of life. It is a profession that requires patience, resilience, sacrifice, and faith. These same qualities are often reflected in how they raise their children and build strong families.

As Jamaica celebrates fathers and their invaluable contributions to society, several farmers from St Catherine and Clarendon share how agriculture has not only provided food and income but has also helped them become better fathers, role models, and community leaders.

For over 40 years, Ewart Blackwood of Thetford in Old Harbour, St Catherine, has dedicated his life to agriculture. Blackwood was introduced to agriculture from childhood as his parents cultivated ground provisions and pimento while also raising livestock.