Last week, we discussed Abaco’s significant need for food security, a vulnerability highlighted by Hurricane Dorian’s disruption of imported food supplies. This week, we turn to the incredible partnerships that are sowing seeds of hope and practical solutions across the island, driven by the dedication of local farmers and organizations.

Pictured Above: Glen Kelly, owner of Driftwood Farms, a partner of Many Hands in Abaco. 

At the forefront of Abaco’s agricultural efforts are Glen and Tracy Kelly, owners of Poinciana Driftwood Farms, a partner organization with whom our Many Hands IMPACT teams work alongside to produce fresh vegetables for the community of Abaco. Their journey into hydroponic farming wasn’t just a business decision; it was a calling to provide their community with fresh, healthy food.

Glen articulates their purpose: “Poinciana Driftwood is predominantly a hydroponic vegetable business… The intent was always to provide a locally grown, high-quality food source direct to the customers.” Tracy adds a personal touch, sharing how hydroponics removes the strenuous labor, making it accessible: “For me, it’s just you don’t have to bend and work so hard. It’s so much easier. Is just eye level to you.” This innovative, soilless method is not just efficient; it offers a sustainable way to produce food where traditional soil is scarce.

Beyond hydroponics, we see other partners embracing resourceful practices. Daphne and Nick, owners of Neem Farm, a Many Hands partner organization looking into more sustainable and organic agriculture production for the island, shared how they literally build the earth beneath their crops.

Daphne explained: “Dig a hole and you’ve got limestone rock. So we have to create our own soil because we’re organic… we produce our own soil using clippings from the farm, the chicken manure, seaweed… everything that we can get from our farm and the beach.” Their ingenuity transforms local resources into fertile ground, a powerful testament to sustainable living.

These efforts are deeply personal and community-focused. Tracy Kelly spoke about the heartwarming demand from local residents:

Pictured Above and Below: Glen and Tracy Kelly, owners of Driftwood Farms, a partner of Many Hands in Abaco. 

 It’s clear this isn’t just a transaction; it’s a mutual investment in well-being. Glen emphasizes this connection: “It’s a partnership… people are willing to pay us to help them eat healthier, prayerfully, live longer and just have a better quality of life.” This holistic view of health, extending beyond mere sustenance, is a core outcome of these partnerships.

Many Hands is woven into these stories. Our IMPACT participants have the unique opportunity to work directly with the Kellys, planting, harvesting, and learning firsthand about their hydroponics system. It’s this hands-on collaboration that brings our mission to life.

Pictured Above and Below: A Many Hands IMPACT team works at Driftwood Farms. 

 These innovations are transforming how Abaco eats, but who will carry this torch forward into the coming decades? Join us next week as we explore the vital role of youth and education in shaping Abaco’s agricultural future, nurturing the hands that will feed tomorrow.

Discover more about our specific agricultural initiatives and partnerships at mh4a.org/agriculture.

• Many Hands is actively partnering with local organizations like Poinciana Driftwood Farms (Glen and Tracy Kelly) and Neem Farm (Daphne and Nick) to bring practical agricultural solutions to Abaco.
• Innovative methods such as hydroponics and organic soil creation are transforming how food is grown on the island, overcoming environmental challenges.
• These partnerships are not just about food; they’re fostering community well-being, driving local demand for fresh produce, and building a mutual investment in healthier lives.
• The success of these solutions highlights a path towards reducing Abaco’s dependency on imported food, a critical need identified in our first post.

Many Hands is an Iowa-based nonprofit creating local and global life transformation. Established in 2008, the organization aims to ignite generosity, grow community, and take people on IMPACT journeys to carve a new, better path to life. Each year, the organization reaches at least 25,000 people through its operations in the Caribbean, IMPACT Trips serving in Abaco, Bahamas, and Many Hands Thrift Markets located in Iowa.

Many Hands is called to transform together, to be love in action, in a broken world.