Xavier Collymore

Xavier Collymore started farming for a very practical reason – he believes that access to food is central to survival. “No matter where you are in the world,” he says, “food is a must.”

On his farm, Xavier, who is also a chef, grows herbs and seasonings – peppers, thyme, marjoram, mint, dill, rosemary, basil – and vegetables, including lettuce, cabbage, beets, and yams. What he grows depends on what is requested by his customers, as well as what he requires for his recipes. He sells his produce to supermarkets, hotels, and his neighbours, and at farmers’ markets.

Twice daily, he goes through a routine of ensuring that all is well with his crops. His system includes checking for any leaks or blockages in the drip irrigation system, ensuring that the excess water is draining properly, pulling weeds, applying nutrients to the plants, and removing pests.

Xavier would like his farm to become a space of learning in the future. He plans to use the space as a training camp to teach other young people the basics of farming and encourage them to grow their own food, whether for personal use or profit. He also wants to open a farm shop where customers can purchase food, as well as seedlings or cuttings for their own gardens.

He credits his time in the Youth Farm programme with helping him to view farming as a lucrative business venture and showing him how to manage all aspects of the business to ensure a return on his investment.