POPE Emeritus Benedict XVI was once quoted as saying, “It is necessary, then, to point in a truly unified way to a new balance between agriculture, industry and services, so that development be sustainable, and no one goes without bread and work, and so that air and water and the other primary resources be preserved as universal goods.”

Members of the St. Marks Church, who are part of a Parish comprising four churches, are putting action to this notion shared by Pope Benedict XVI. The church is situated in Enmore, East Coast Demerara, where members recently resuscitated another crops farm with assistance from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).
Last year, 25 elderly members of the Church formed a farmers’ group. To become a member of the group one needs to acquire the age of retirement. Even though farming may be deemed mostly a man’s job, the group is dominated by women.

According to Michael Gittings, lay minister of St. Marks Church and the group’s coordinator, the land which is now converted into a viable farm was once deserted. The old trees and overgrown bushes had erased evidence of a farm that once produced fresh fruits and vegetables. With permission from the church leaders, the group began land preparation. “We had to remove old trees, plough and partition the land…NAREI assisted by provided technology and technical support during the process,” he added.

The one and half acre farm comprises both cash crops and permanent crops. Boulanger, tomato and bora are being intercropped with coconut while callaloo, pak choy, celery and cabbage are on another section of the farm.

While, members of the group are the primary caregivers of the farm, from time-to-time the services of two labourers are required. “There is no fixed time for the group to meet. We offer whatever available time we have to maintain the farm. Working on the farm is a good form of exercise to get rid of the aches and pains for persons our age,” Gittings said.
The group has started reaping the fruits of their labour. Some of the crops were distributed free of cost to some church members. Others were given the opportunity to purchase fresh produce from the farm at affordable prices Sunday last.

Gittings noted that the seniors of the church are proud of this accomplishment, which is being viewed as a legacy for the youths.