Now that the essential Emancipation Day celebrations are over we can turn our attention to freeing ourselves from the yoke of mass-produced lifeless food. Growing food is a liberating and empowering path to healthier eating and living. Everyone has the ability to grow food; it just needs to be awakened and encouraged. In this article, four inspired Bermudians who recently took my gardening course or workshops share aspirations and challenges on their journey into the evolving realm of food gardening, in their own words.

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Alex Dill, 26 year-old Medical Assistant and 2006 alumni and board member of Raleigh Bermuda.

“I wanted to grow food for some time but did not get around to it. The workshop you had for Raleigh was timely. I wanted to garden for health and cost reasons, to live a healthier lifestyle, feel healthier and energetic, increase my raw fruit and vegetables intake, and as therapy, so I thought it would be a good idea to have my own garden. I have always been interested in nature and have enjoyed the environmental aspect of my adventures with Raleigh Bermuda but coming back home I didn’t do much with it.

“I started gardening late in the season this year so maintenance has been a challenge. Finding time is a problem but it is important enough to me to make time. I am planning to grow more food when the season starts in the fall. Having someone to garden with would help me at this stage.

“My family are supportive, especially my grandmother. My friends tease me a bit but I think they are intrigued as to why a young man like me is growing food. I’d like to see more people support local food and think of the benefit to their health. I try to influence patients to eat healthy. People want to be healthy but don’t seem to know enough about the food they eat. Gardening can be a way of supporting each other and creating community.”

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Donita Stevens, 25 year-old Underwriting Assistant.

“I began food gardening in March this year at the same time I began the gardening course with you. I started my garden because I wanted to provide fresh, organic food for my family and me. As an organic food gardener, my challenges are nature itself — my plants provide food also for some insects. Another challenge has been determining when the crop is fully ready to be harvested. You don’t want to pick it too early or too late.

“I’ve had nothing but positive feedback and encouragement from my family and friends. I intend to plant more in the fall. I haven’t yet decided what to plant but I’m excited about it. I need more help with natural ways of fighting off the little plant eaters. I definitely would love to see gardening grow in Bermuda, not only personal gardens in residents’ yards but also in green spaces throughout the Island.”

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Fiona Couper-Smith, 48-year old mother and Holistic Health Practitioner at Inner Balance Bermuda.

“I started growing herbs in pots while I was living in England. Coming back to Bermuda I learned from your course to plant according to the seasons. It was late when I started but I managed to plant a small garden. My husband helps with the digging and my family and friends are generally supportive.

“I am motivated by my interest in health. I buy from local markets and try to avoid pesticides and GMOs. There are no restrictions on GMOs in Bermuda as they are in the UK. (Bermuda has restrictions on GMO seed.)

“Food has more vitality if it comes from your garden. Even if imported produce is organic it comes from far away and can be tired. By growing what I can and adding local and best non-local sources like frozen organic fruits from the supermarket I feel I can have more control over my food.

“My seven-year-old son Jake always talks about double scratch cooking. We usually prepare our meals from scratch. Double scratch is growing it and cooking it from scratch. In the fall I want to plant vegetables that I have not tried before.

“I would like to see less pesticide used in local agriculture and keep GMOs out. If local farmers used less pesticide people might support them more. Schools can do more with gardening, even if it is growing sprouts. Everyone should grow something and support local farmers. I found your course useful, it gave me more awareness, confidence, and a connection.”

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Dr Dena Butterfield Phipps, 52-year-old mother and Principal of Dame Marjorie Bean Hope School (currently seconded as the Ministry of Education as a Special Education Compliance Officer).

“I came up with gardening in my family. I was not good with indoor plants but when it came to food I found I had a talent for it. I started growing food in 2011 because it made sense to grow something you can eat. I became more health conscious and wanted to grow food organically.

“I have great support from my husband who told me about your course and helps with the double digging. After I took the course there was ‘no stopping me’. I just love seeing food grow even if I don’t like a particular vegetable. It has been awesome! I save money by growing my own food; it is therapy and great exercise.

“My friends are very supportive and come to me for gardening advice as if I am a professional. I suggest starting small and progress slowly because it is work! My father is my hero when it comes to gardening; he gives me lots of advice.

“We built some new planters and my plan for the fall is to start onion seedlings early so I don’t have to buy them, and carrots. I like to grow greens like kale and lettuce which you can harvest leaves from while the plant continues to grow. I have sugar apple, pawpaw, and bananas but want to grow more fruit trees. Anything I plant has to produce food, even the hedges.

“I would like to see everyone grow some kind of food. If there is no space use pots, and experience the joy of cooking the food that you grow yourself. You can start very small. I can’t wait to get into it again in the fall!”