Creating a livelihood through farming , 36 year old Rhonda Joseph, is putting into practice techniques learnt from training in Agriculture, to manage her farm.
“ I did a level II CVQ training in General Agriculture and now I am pursuing one in tree crop production; although it may be hard to complete ; I am happy that I have received that background , which is contributing to the progress that I have been able to make with my farming venture today,” she explained.
Rhonda is a full-time farmer; a mother and spends her days completing various tasks on her farm, sharing duties related to managing her family . She cultivates a wide variety- sweet potatoes, sweet peppers, cabbages, cauliflower among the likes and aspires to move into the production of carrots , broccoli and others.
Rhonda said her favorite crop to plant was sweet potatoes as she is fascinated by their growth and development, especially as they change colours. Of the tasks completed on the farm, Rhonda explained that she preferred molding.
“This helps aerate the soil and it prevents soil erosion. I also like mulching as it helps the soil retain moisture,”she said.
Understanding the issues she has with access and storage of water, this woman in agriculture expressed her desire to move on to more water efficient practices. “Most of my farming is rain fed. I am not close to a river; I have two barrels that I collect water in and use watering cans to water the plants. I have to water twice a day so sometimes it is very hard. I would very much like support towards the establishment of a rainwater system that I can use here on the farm.”
“Someone came here and cut some of my cabbages, harvested some of my sweet peppers and my sweet potatoes that were not ready as yet,” she continued, explaining her challenge with praedial larceny.
Rhonda, who has been farming for some 13 years, is desirous of getting access to more land, to scale up production.
According to Joseph, she understands, fully, the potential of the agricultural sector. This is what drives her to complete what she is currently involved in. Added to her busy schedule of managing the farm, taking care of her kids, and going to her crop production classes, is the selling of her produce at Grenville. Persons interested in purchasing from her can call 473-422-3367.
