Jamaica's first ecovillage opens in St Thomas

Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer

JOHN'S TOWN, ST Thomas:

WOULD YOU like to live in a place where public matters are decided upon by community members, and where everyone is committed to the preservation of the environment? If you so desire, please pack your bags and head to the Source Farm Ecovillage in John's Town, St Thomas.

Located on a sprawling 63-acre luxuriant property from which there are breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains and the St Thomas coastline, Jamaica's first sustainable ecovillage is the brainchild of Blondel Shirley-Atwater, who has recently returned to Jamaica after residing in Philadelphia for many years. Her daughter, Nicola Shirley-Phillips, also a long-time United States resident, has been there for about four years, and the rest of the family is set to join them soon.

Nicola Shirley-Phillips told The Gleaner that Source Farm is an intentional community. It's about living in harmony with the members of the community and the environment. Everything is done with a purpose and after consultation with community members. Decisions concerning the treatment of the environment, the disposal of solid and human waste, and other matters that impact the environment are based on consensus. There is a protocol for communicating with one another, and how meetings are conducted. Decisions are made at these meetings. "What we are trying to do is creating a new model for us to start living and learning how to communicate with each other," Shirley-Phillips said.

Progressive living

She added: "We have created processes by which we can live through in good times and bad times. We will foster personal growth and development and empower our community to be ambassadors of natural and progressive living. The Source Farm will be known for its diverse social and economic opportunities with a mosaic of award-winning cultural, recreational and artistic amenities and services."

While there will be facilities to accommodate visitors and guests, it is principally a residential community in which lots will be leased for 99 years. There will thus be a traditional healing centre, a learning centre, and community-sponsored farming in which produce is cultivated based on orders. Residents are encouraged to give back to the community in whatever way they can.

The Source Farm intends to be "an innovative model community that is dedicated to respecting and restoring Mother Earth", Shirley-Phillips said. Two earth-bag houses are already on the property, one of which is not connected to the Jamaica Public Service and National Water Commission grids. Rainwater is stored and purified for domestic use, while electricity is generated by wind turbines.

The earth-bag houses are made of soil-filled bag structures which are encased by mesh wire and a layer of concrete. Some rooms are lit up in the days by ceiling embedded light tubes which reflect the sun's rays. There are also beams made of coconut trunks, and bamboo and other wood fixtures. All of this fits into the whole notion of environmental preservation, and the building of eco-friendly, cost-effective structures. The first phase of the development, offering 10 lots for lease, was recently dedicated with a traditional celebratory ritual.

- rural@gleanerjm.com

Photos by Paul Williams