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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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<p>Among her accolades are: the <em>-2017 Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Champion Greenhouse Farmer</em>, <em>-2017 and -2018 Most Innovative Farm</em>er,&nbsp; <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>,&nbsp; <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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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Rowe-reaping-rewards-from-her-hard-work-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2289" /><figcaption>Rowe reaping rewards from her hard work.</figcaption></figure>
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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. The farm suffered from 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 required oversight. </p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Rows-of-greens-ready-to-be-reaped.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2290" /><figcaption>Rows of leafy greens ready to be reaped</figcaption></figure>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>“I have been managing the farm full time from January 2015 to date.” </p><cite>Diandra Rowe</cite></blockquote>
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<p>My mission when I started was and still is to grow
my family’s business for many other generations to benefit. </p>
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<p>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 leafy greens. </p>
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<ul class="wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Basil.jpg" alt="" data-id="2296" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=2296" class="wp-image-2296" /><figcaption>Basil (Photo: Instagram -@Abbey_Garden_Farm)</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Bell-Peppers.jpg" alt="" data-id="2297" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=2297" class="wp-image-2297" /><figcaption>Bell Peppers  (Photo: Instagram -@Abbey_Garden_Farm) </figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Lettuce.jpg" alt="" data-id="2298" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=2298" class="wp-image-2298" /><figcaption>Lettuce  (Photo: Instagram -@Abbey_Garden_Farm) </figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Strawberry.jpg" alt="" data-id="2299" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=2299" class="wp-image-2299" /><figcaption>Strawberry (Photo: Instagram -@Abbey_Garden_Farm)</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Tomatoes.jpg" alt="" data-id="2300" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=2300" class="wp-image-2300" /><figcaption>Tomatoes  (Photo: Instagram -@Abbey_Garden_Farm) </figcaption></figure></li></ul>
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<p>Diandra attributes her success in farming to her drive. “ I say this to myself when I get frustrated and I want to give up - <em>Diandra live how others won’t now, so you can live how others can’t later</em>.”</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"Farming is no joke…"</p><cite>Diandra Rowe</cite></blockquote>
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<p>She is a member of the Jamaica Greenhouse Growers Benevolent Society and Nutramix Youth in Agriculture Ambassador.</p>
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<p>Among her qualifications and awards is a BSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a Rotary Club of Mandeville Vocational Service Award for Outstanding Community Service Leadership and Devotion – Empowering our Youth.</p>
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