BASSETERRE: Denise “Pam” Gillard has been crowned Crop Farmer of the Year for St. Kitts, receiving the prestigious award during the Farmer & Fisher Prizegiving Ceremony on October 16.
The ceremony, part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s World Food Day Week of Activities, celebrated this year’s theme: “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”
Gillard’s journey into farming began unexpectedly 38 years ago. “I got into it as a mistake,” she explained. What started as backyard gardening transformed into a thriving agricultural enterprise, prompting her to use her grandfather’s land in Fahies Estate.
A visiting representative from Taiwan’s agricultural group recognized her potential and offered support. With assistance from both the Taiwanese delegation and her Extension Officer, Gillard expanded her production capacity, eventually supplying crops to the wider community.
Today, Gillard views farming as both a personal blessing and a contribution to national food security.
“Being a farmer is really one of the best things that happened for my life,” Gillard said. “I eat much healthier now.”
She emphasizes the broader impact of local agriculture: “If I produce 10lbs of food, that’s 10lbs less we could be importing from overseas.”
Gillard advocates strongly for locally grown produce over imported alternatives, noting that local food is healthier and free from unknown additives often found in imported products.
Her dedication to producing fresh, nutritious crops has inspired a new generation of farmers while reducing the nation’s dependence on food imports.