The Helen’s Daughters (HD) and Hotel Chocolat (HC) Agri-Apprenticeship Farm and Programme at Project Chocolat is officially operational following a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, November 18th, 2022.
The first of its kind in Saint Lucia, the HDxHC Farm is climate resilient, and it incorporates aquaponics and organic farming practices for a farm-to-table model. The farm reflects the distinctive relationship between the non-profit HD and world-renowned HC. All produce grown on the farm will be purchased by Hotel Chocolat for use in the resort’s restaurants, with proceeds being reinvested into the farm. Intended to be more than just a produce farm, the HDxHC Farm is the location of Saint Lucia’s first-ever all-female, agri-apprenticeship programme. Currently, two young women from Soufriere are involved in a year-long programme working full-time on the farm and one part-time. The programme allows them to gain first-hand experience in running an agri-business, along with receiving training and mentorship throughout the year.
“As a fairly young organisation that is youth and women-led, one of our major weaknesses was that we had a training programme with no actual training ground and I can tell you, it’s kind of difficult to teach agriculture without a farm. This is why it is so important to us that Hotel Chocolat, and by extension Project Chocolat, has taken a chance on us,” stated Helen’s Daughters Executive Director, Keithlin Caroo, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Upon completion of their one-year apprenticeship, the three young women stationed on the farm will be given a choice to either launch their own agri-business, or be employed with either Helen’s Daughters or Hotel Chocolat. John Brett, CEO of Hotel Chocolat shared, “This is an opportunity to work on an advanced farm, with hundreds of international and local visitors per week as part of a mature commercial supply chain, which we hope will equip our women apprentices with the skills needed to thrive and grow in the agri-tourism sector.”
Present at the November 18th ceremony were Agriculture Minister Hon. Alfred Prospere, Resident British High Commissioner Ms Lesley Saunderson, and H.E. Mr Luis Manuel Lopez Moreno, Ambassador of Mexico to the Eastern Caribbean States.
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Congratulations to Ms. Caroo. Very impressed with the work being undertaken by Helen's Daughters. So proud of Ms. Caroo. Wishing Helen's Daughters and Ms. Caroo the very best on this latest project with Hotel Chocolat.