Profile Canaan Organic Farm
Location: upper cockpit country south St. James, Jamaica.
Environment: This wonderfully nested farm between the hills of the cockpit is in an isolated location surrounded by hills covered in secondary and primary forest and abandoned farms
Elevation: around 2000ft
Rainfall: around 3000mm
Seasons: Dry time December to February
Acreage: 30 acre
In cultivation: 10 acre
In forest/ natural habitats: 10 acre
Crops:
- Commercial :
yams , sweet potato , sugar cane , ginger , cut flowers, plantain
- Subsistance :
banana , breadfruit , orange , Malayan apple , guava , corn

Farm History: Canaan Farm is part of an old Estate, which after commercial production of banana stopped in the 1950s was cultivated by the local population based on informal lease arrangements. In the 1960s the Estate was divided to be sold. The owners of Canaan farm bought at that time that section of the Estate previously cultivated by their grandparents to continue all as their Family Farm and Retreat.

Farm Objectives: Canaan Farm wants to optimize their crop production with a special focus on Yam and Cut Flowers. The farm seeks also organic certification by JOAM as soon as manageable. All however should grow into an organic Farm Retreat with rustic cottages providing accommodation in a family atmosphere to share with guests the beauty of the location.

Needs to assist in the development of the farm:
- Monthly consultation to assist in the overall development of the farm focusing mainly on improving organic farming techniques , on guidance towards organic certification by JOAM on the management and improvement of the natural resources and on improving the agronomic performance.

These consultations could be provided by OIC assigned consultants offering training in organic techniques , development and implementation of organic farm management plan leading towards certification in maximum 24 months .

The cost of one consultation per day / visit is 150 US$ consultation fee and 20 US$ travel expenses
- Nursery and growing shed for the cut flowers

Status on OIC assistance 10th of September 2007 :
- No assistance provided so far
- No financial donation towards consultation or
nursery shed received so far.

Assigned Consultant: Markus Braun