NEIF MOUNTAINS HURRICANE BERYL RELIEF
On October 29, 2024, Friends of Jamaica and the United Way of Jamaica partnered to provide Hurricane Beryl relief funds to the Neif Mountain Evergreen Farmers Benevolent Society—a critical lifeline for a community hard-hit by the devastating storm that swept through St. Elizabeth earlier that year.
Neif Mountain was situated in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range above the Pedro Plains—a quiet, semi-arid farming community known for its rich soil and stunning views of southeastern St. Elizabeth. In September 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, local farmers came together to form the Neif Mountain Evergreen Farmers Benevolent Society: a grassroots effort to stay connected, support one another, and promote sustainable farming practices.
The group grew to around 35 members, with a strong majority of women farmers. They met monthly to share knowledge, discuss farming needs, and support each other—embodying community resilience. Following its founding, the group participated in training through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), and several members received farming awards. Leading the charge was President Junior Salmon, a seasoned farmer and pastor who was named St. Elizabeth Farmer of the Year in 2024.
When Hurricane Beryl struck Jamaica in July 2024, the winds tore through the island, destroying crops and threatening the livelihoods of farmers across the region. For smallholder farmers in Neif Mountain, the storm’s aftermath meant not only a lost harvest but the loss of critical income used to purchase seeds for the next planting season—at a time when the dry season loomed on the horizon.
In response, Friends of Jamaica and the United Way of Jamaica provided $186,400 JMD in relief funds to the Society for the purchase of fertilizer—essential for helping farmers regenerate their land. Each member received a portion of the fertilizer, boosting yields and restoring hope.
Tesha Thomas, a long-time farmer and active Society member, saw a vibrant transformation in her carrot crop thanks to the grant. One of her fields alone yielded 350 pounds of carrots, selling for $28,000 JMD, while her remaining fields progressed toward similarly strong harvests.
