In Loving Memory of Mr. Errol Grant

Herbalist, Farmer, Vice President of Bernard Lodge Farmers Association.

Beliefs and Values

Mr. Errol Grant was a man of deep conviction and unwavering commitment to his community and country. He believed in:

  • Sustainable Agriculture: He was a strong advocate for sustainable farming practices that protect the environment while ensuring food security for future generations.
  • Community Unity: He valued the power of collective action and worked to foster collaboration among farmers to address shared challenges.
  • National Pride: He was deeply patriotic and saw agriculture as a cornerstone of Jamaica’s economic independence and cultural identity.
  • Youth Engagement: He believed in inspiring and mentoring the next generation of farmers, ensuring the continuity of Jamaica’s agricultural heritage.
  • Empowerment of Farmers: He believed in the importance of empowering small-scale farmers through the conservation of their access to fertile land and access to markets
  • Jamaican Ganja Industry for Jamaicans: He joined the Ganja Growers and Producers Association Jamaica (GGPAJ)  in publicly decrying the sale of Jamaica’s ganja industry into foreign hands as,

 

“socially, morally, culturally and economically wrong that those persons constituting the small and traditional ganja cultivators, a number of them being of the Rastafarian faith, who were hounded, beaten, persecuted, arrested, convicted, criminalized for growing ganja and laying the basis for the ganja industry are being left behind” — GGPAJ

Contributions and Achievements

Mr. Errol Grant dedicated his life to improving his country and the lives of those around him. His efforts included:

    • Leadership in the Bernard Lodge Farmers Group: As Vice President, he played a pivotal role in organizing and advocating for farmers in the Bernard Lodge area, ensuring their voices were heard in policy discussions.
    • Advocacy for Farmer Rights: He tirelessly lobbied for better infrastructure, fair pricing, and access to resources for small-scale farmers.
    • Community Health Education & Advocacy: He hosted on Natural Health Program on Sun City Radio named A Healthier You to share his knowledge and inspire young and old to make more informed health decisions, and advocated for much-needed health reform. 
    • Environmental Stewardship: He advocated for the protection of fertile agricultural land and good agricultural practices, not only for food security but also for good health. 
    • National Food Security: He was a vocal advocate for reducing Jamaica’s reliance on imported food by supporting local production and consumption.

Errol Grant has been an inspiration to all of us who have participated in the Stronger Caribbean Together network. We are inspired by his life dedication to selfless community building. He has lived the sentiment of no one left behind. This was in his very DNA, and it is a thread that lives in all of us who work toward the common good. We salute you Errol, and though your departure from this world bereaves us deeply, your spirit will always be an honored part of us.  

The Stronger Caribbean Together network extends its sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Vice President, Errol Grant Raising Awareness about the Loss of the Most Arable Land in Jamaica

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The Bernard Lodge Lands had been used for agriculture since the days of slavery. By the 1980s, these fertile lands were well-established for food production, with millions invested in irrigation systems, the importance of which has only grown due to the seasonal instability caused by the climate crisis. 

The Bernard Lodge Farmers association has decried their government’s decision to turn some of the most fertile and farm ready land, still resilient and food productive, into a housing scheme. Many have lost millions in produce and face delayed compensation, while others receive no compensation at all, as only permanent crops were even considered for compensation—cash crops are excluded. 

As farmers were being relocated to less productive, unprepared land, Errol Grant shared this heart felt and clear message as part of the Bernard Lodge Farmers Association plea to the Jamaican government to reconsider its decision to “plow the land to plant concrete”.

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