Food Farm Gardens: Transforming Plantation Succour into Caribbean Food Sovereignty

From Colonial Legacy to Community Empowerment

Deep in the southeastern hills of Sint Maarten lies Plantation Succour—once Estates 96 and 98, documented in “St. Maarten since Columbus: The first centuries” as a registered plantation spanning 50-100 hectares. Known as “The Golden Rock” for its rich volcanic soil, this land bore witness to centuries of colonial exploitation, where enslaved hands built the dry-stacked stone walls that still stand today.

Today, those same walls frame something revolutionary: Food Farm Gardens (FFG), a comprehensive agricultural transformation project that converts colonial legacy into Caribbean food sovereignty.

The Vision: Food Security Through Community

Food Farm Gardens isn’t just another agricultural project—it’s a blueprint for Caribbean resilience. Launched by Stichting Marlin Yard in response to food security challenges exposed by COVID-19 and Hurricane Irma, FFG combines ancestral agricultural wisdom with cutting-edge sustainable farming technology to create a thriving local food system.

Core Mission: Transform Sint Maarten from food import dependency to agricultural self-sufficiency while honoring the land’s historical significance and creating economic opportunity for local families.

What We’re Building

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program

Our CSA model serves 400+ Sint Maarten families with fresh, organic produce through flexible subscription options:

• Individual Share: XCG 32 ($17.78) weekly
• Family Share: XCG 48 ($26.67) weekly
• Large Family Share: XCG 72 ($40.00) weekly

Members enjoy direct access to seasonal harvests, educational workshops, and participation in our community governance model.

Community Gardens & Allotments

50+ individual garden allotments (30 m² or 50m² each) provide families with space to grow their own food while building community connection. Each plot includes:

• Irrigation infrastructure
• Organic certification standards
• Access to shared tools and equipment
• Technical support from agricultural specialists
• Integration with The Keys Market for surplus sales

Intensive Agricultural Production

Our state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities produce 324,000 kg of organic vegetables annually through:

• 3,000 m² CRAVO hydroponic greenhouse systems
• Advanced cooling house technology for year-round production
• Solar-powered irrigation systems
• Climate-controlled growing environments
• Hurricane and earthquake-resistant infrastructure

Heritage Agrarian Institute of Caribbean Innovation (HAICI)

Plantation Succour becomes a living classroom where traditional Caribbean farming wisdom meets modern sustainable practices:

• 12-week Farmers Academy program
• Monthly advanced workshops on agroecology, permaculture, and climate-resilient agriculture
• Hands-on training in hydroponics, aquaponics, and organic certification
• Student internships and mentorship opportunities
• Target: 100 online students year 1, 80 on-site after campus launch
• Website: HAICI

Economic Impact & Revenue Model

For Farmers & Growers

Freelance Farmer CSA Program: Aspiring farmers join with 300m² plots at XCG 1188 ($660) annually and receive:

• 80% revenue retention from produce sales
• Priority market access through The Keys Market and CSA subscriptions
• Comprehensive training and technical support
• Access to seasonal agricultural workers
• Participation in Eco Shares profit sharing
• CARET token integration for payments and rewards

Estimated Annual Income per Farmer: $2,850-$23,650 (after land fees)

For Community Members

Eco Shares Program: Community ownership through accessible investment:

• Minimum investment: 5 shares at $534 ($106.80 per share)
• Annual ROI: 1-3% based on market performance
• Annual allocation cap: $25,000-$30,000 (ensuring broad participation)
• Voting rights on key decisions
• Discounted CSA produce access
• Free HAICI workshop participation

Revenue Streams

• CSA subscription boxes: €730,191-€1,080,000 annually
• Community garden allotment fees: €200,520 annually
• Wholesale produce sales: €150,000+ annually
• HAICI training programs: €80,000+ annually
• Eco Shares dividends and CARET transactions
• Agri-tourism and educational experiences
• Seasonal worker coordination fees

Job Creation & Community Development

Direct Employment

Construction Phase (2026-2027):

• 50-100 construction workers
• 5-10 architects and designers
• 8-12 engineers (civil, electrical, environmental)
• 3-5 landscaping and environmental consultants
• 5-8 project managers

Operational Phase (2026+):

• 2-4 community managers
• 10-15 maintenance and facilities staff
• 2-4 health and wellness professionals
• 3-5 educators and workshop facilitators
• 5-8 technology and infrastructure specialists
• 10-15 local business and retail staff
• 5-8 security and emergency response personnel

Total Direct Jobs: 45+ positions across construction and operations

Indirect Economic Impact

• Supplier and service provider employment
• Local business development opportunities
• Tourism and agri-tourism revenue
• Educational institution partnerships
• Technology and digital services integration

Sustainability & Environmental Impact

Water Management

• 14 water tanks (20,000L each) for rainwater harvesting
• Drip irrigation systems reducing water consumption by 30%
• Greywater recycling for non-potable uses
• Decentralized wastewater treatment systems

Energy Systems

• Solar panel arrays for renewable energy generation
• Tesla Powerwall battery storage
• 60% energy cost reduction through efficiency
• Off-grid capability during emergencies

Waste Management

• Zero-waste composting programs
• Organic waste-to-biogas initiatives
• Recycling and circular economy integration
• Digital waste tracking dashboard

Environmental Goals (5-Year Targets)

• 25% CO₂ emissions reduction
• 30% water consumption reduction
• 100% organic certification
• Biodiversity enhancement through native plantings
• Annual sustainability and biodiversity reporting

Technology & Innovation

• IoT Sensors: Real-time monitoring of soil, water, and climate conditions
• Automation: Precision irrigation and greenhouse climate control
• Blockchain: CARET token integration for transparent transactions and governance
• Digital Platform: CSA signups, vendor onboarding, market access
• HAICI LMS: Online learning management with certification engine
• Smart Community: WiFi-enabled infrastructure and digital services

Historical Preservation & Cultural Significance

FFG honors Plantation Succour’s complex history through:

• Slave Wall Restoration: Careful preservation of 300+ year-old structures
• Heritage Hiking Trails: Educational pathways along restored walls
• Historical Garden: Traditional crops and cultivation methods
• Community Storytelling: Documented narratives of resilience and reclamation
• Educational Programs: Teaching Caribbean agricultural history from 17th century to present

The transformation of Plantation Succour from a symbol of colonial exploitation to a hub of community empowerment represents the most powerful form of resistance: transformation that honors the past while building a just future.

Strategic Partnerships

• RVO.nl: Agriloan program and agricultural development support
• DCALFA: Policy dialogue and regional agricultural coordination
• SHTA: Farm-to-table tourism and hospitality partnerships
• CRAVO: Greenhouse systems and technology
• University of Agricultural Sciences: Research and curriculum development
• Local Universities: USM, Lentiz MBO Westland, vocational training partnerships

Implementation Timeline

2025 (Q4): Infrastructure development, initial farmer recruitment, training program launch

2026 (Q1-Q2): Greenhouse completion, CSA program expansion, HAICI campus development

2026 (Q3-Q4): Full operational capacity, 324 allotments active, 400+ CSA families served

2027+: Regional expansion, inter-island replication, sustainable operations

Investment Opportunity

FFG represents a compelling investment in Caribbean food security with multiple return pathways:

• Founding Circle: €10,000-€50,000 for permanent ownership and governance rights
• Eco Shares: $534+ for community ownership and profit participation
• Project Financing: Loans and grants through RVO.nl and impact investors
• Strategic Partnerships: Co-investment and operational collaboration

Expected ROI: 15-20% over 5 years, with social and environmental impact multipliers

The Harvest of Justice

Food Farm Gardens proves that crisis can catalyze community. What began as emergency food security during COVID-19 has evolved into a comprehensive model for Caribbean agricultural independence.

When visitors walk through FFG’s community gardens, they walk through living history. They see how the Marlin family’s century-long journey from enslavement to land ownership continues through Cee’s vision of food sovereignty. They witness how colonial infrastructure can be repurposed for community empowerment. They experience how heritage preservation and agricultural innovation flourish together.

The story of Plantation Succour is no longer just about what was taken—it’s about what’s being reclaimed. Through Food Farm Gardens, the land that once symbolized exploitation now represents empowerment. The fields that once grew crops for distant markets now grow food for local families. The walls that once divided enslaved from free now unite a community in the shared work of feeding themselves.

This is the harvest of justice: seeds planted in ancestral soil, tended by free hands, and shared among neighbors who understand that true wealth grows from the ground up.

Join the Movement

For Investors: Become a Founding Circle member or Eco Shares participant

For Farmers: Join our CSA freelance farmer program

For Community Members: Subscribe to CSA, rent garden allotments, or participate in HAICI training

For Partners: Collaborate on regional food security initiatives

Contact: https://ffg.marlinyard.org | ffg@marlinyard.org | +31 (85) 004 1137

Food Farm Gardens: Building Caribbean Food Sovereignty, One Harvest at a Time

A Stichting Marlin Yard Initiative