We Are:

a non profit initiative that is steadily becoming an important and innovative force in improving the environment of the Caribbean, as well as the economic standing of small farmers across the region. The Organic Initiative for a Sustainable Caribbean, OIC, is a non profit organization that seeks to stimulate the organic agricultural movement in the Caribbean primarily through the creation of sustainable, alternative livelihoods for small organic farmers in the area. OIC fulfils this goal by generating economic development, offering technical assistance, and establishing a network between farmers and the local and international market.

Small farmers of the Caribbean are consistently marginalized by large industrial farms and foreign imports, causing a great loss not only of local agricultural economy, but also of traditional and sustainable farming practices. In turn, the environment has suffered greatly under the impact of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, causing severe ecological problems such as polluting of the water table, widespread soil toxicity, and most importantly, a dire reliance on chemical farming that has caused farmers, the very keepers of the earth, to poison and destroy the land that must sustain them.

The Organic Initiative for a Sustainable Caribbean is a critical response to these pressing issues. By providing farmers with comprehensive training in organic agricultural, establishing a market for the farmers’ products, and ultimately offering farmers the option to hold a stake in the very business that processes and markets their produce, OIC equips rural farmers in the Caribbean with the necessary skills to create and maintain sound, sustainable farms and businesses. At its core, The OIC maintains that organic agriculture is not just about cultivating clean and pure food, but fostering healthy relationships and communities in the Caribbean.

OIC is currently implementing several fledgling and successful programs in the Caribbean. For example, a network of farmers across the island of Jamaica is already well on its way in achieving organic certification and refining production thanks to the assistance provided by OIC .A similar network is about to emerge on the islands of St.Lucia and Dominica and will complement the one started in Jamaica . With the help of OIC, these otherwise struggling farmers are able to achieve new skills in order to improve their own livelihoods and the health of the land. I am asking you today to support us in deepening the capacity of OIC to carry out this important work. Your generous donation will go towards strengthening the grass roots networks that have been already established, and to expanding the initiative in order to create more opportunities for environmental, agricultural, and economic improvement across the Caribbean. Please rest assured that your contribution will not go to a “black hole,” but rather will directly and clearly assist this important and unique initiative in helping small farmers, on the ground.

We are currently in the process of establishing an interactive website which will allow you the opportunity to learn more about OIC, support where you feel it is needed most, keep track of your donation, and become a part of the OIC family. In the meantime, you can direct your donation to three different categories:

1. Financing the technical assistance and the capacity building of our allied farmers and projects.

2. Direct support of a farm or project of your choice to build their capacity through the purchase of simple but effective farming equipment such as a weed wacker, a water pump, or a solar-dehydrator.

3. Donation into a OIC managed micro-credit financing pool where funds will be directed to what the farmers need most.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. All of us at OIC are more than grateful for your generous support.

With respect,
Eddie Wray,
Markus Braun,
And the rest of the Organic Initiative for a Sustainable Caribbean - Team