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<p>A young Manchester farmer, Diandra Rowe, has blazed a trail of excellence in her chosen field. </p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Award-Winning-Farmer.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2276" /><figcaption>Award-winning farmer, Diandra </figcaption></figure>
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<p>Among her accolades are: the <em>-2017 Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Champion Greenhouse Farmer</em>, <em>-2017 and -2018 Most Innovative Farm</em>,  <em>-2017 JAS 2nd Place Young Champion Farmer</em>, <em>-2017 Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Agri- Tourism Award</em>, <em>-2017 JAS 2nd place class A farm</em>,  <em>-2017 Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in Agriculture</em>, <em>- 2018 JAS Champion Female Farmer</em> and <em>-2018 JAS 2nd place Champion Greenhouse Farmer</em>.</p>
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<p>Diandra believes, ‘Success is not an accident and dreams don’t become reality through magic, it requires grit, determination and hard work.” </p>
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<p>She
was born in Mandeville, Manchester and grew up in a small community called
Gabby’s Street, which is where she still resides to date. </p>
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<p>Diandra grew up with both parents, her biggest influences and motivators. Her mom has been a teacher for some 30+ years and dad a farmer and Greenhouse Consultant. </p>
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<p>Diandra says through example, her mom has taught her compassion and patience and her dad has shown her the value of hard work and the benefits of being an entrepreneur.</p>
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<p>“I had a happy childhood. I have two brothers and many cousins. Growing up I spent a lot of time with my siblings, cousins and neighbours. We spent hours in the bushes and yard climbing trees, picking fruits and filling our tummies before dinner time. </p>
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<p>We played many outdoor games. We rode our bikes, drove go-carts, explored caves etc. Some of my best and most memorable moments are from my childhood.”</p>
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<p>She
was educated at the Church Teachers College Early Childhood, Mandeville Primary
and Junior High, Bishop Gibson High School, University of Technology Jamaica </p>
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<p>In
December 2014 Diandra resigned her job as a car sales agent, to return home to
Assist her father with the farm which over the years ran into financial
difficulties because of a lack of proper management and attention, as her
father had started a new company and no longer had the time to give it the
attention that was needed. </p>
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<p>“I
have been managing the Farm full time from January 2015 TO DATE.” </p>
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<h3>My mission when I started was and still is to grow
my family’s business for many other generations to benefit. </h3>
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<h3>Her farm Abbey Farms at Kingsland in Manchester
Jamaica now grows a variety of produce items: Lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers,
strawberries, herbs and a number of leaf greens. </h3>
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<h3>Diandra attributes her success in farming to her Drive.
“ I say this to myself when I get frustrated and I want to give you “Diandra
live how others won’t now, so you can live how others can’t later.”</h3>
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<h3>Farming is no joke…</h3>
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<p>She
is a Member of Jamaica Greenhouse Growers Benevolent Society and Nutramix Youth
in Agriculture ambassador </p>
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<p>Bsc.
Hospitality and Tourism Management, Rotary Club of Mandeville Vocational
Service Award for Outstanding Community Service Leadership and Devotion –
Empowering our Youth</p>
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