Please help our farm crew rebuild in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa. It takes a village as they say, and our village is far reaching. Like many Vermont farms, most of the work done at Jericho Settlers Farm to bring you fresh produce year round is accomplished by the 6 Jamaican men who work with us every year. Spending 9 months of the year away from their families, they work alongside us through flood and drought here at Jericho Settlers Farm to grow fresh organic produce for all of you in our community. They are hard working, skilled farmers - enduring long days in all weather to feed us. They are Orian, Roman, Jason, Bryan, Jerome and Barney - farmers, fathers, partners, brothers, sons, caretakers, providers.

They are now in need of our help, as they have suffered severe damage to their houses, their farms, and most of their belongings at their homes in Jamaica. While they have heard that their family members are safe, the extent of damage is extreme. The roof blew off Orian's house, which he was still building, having just saved up enough last year to start construction. Roman's yam field of 3 acres was flattened and his plantain and banana trees, just starting to produce, were all knocked over. The crew that work Roman's farm in Jamaica lost their homes, and they are now sheltering in Roman's house which luckily stayed intact. Some of them do not even yet know the extent of the damage their homes have suffered as communication with family in Jamaica has been sporadic due to continued power outages.

We are hoping to be able to send them home with at least $2000 each to facilitate their recovery. Please join us in helping our fellow Jamaican farmers rebuild their homes and farms and support their families. Please help us bring them some hope in this devastating time.

We will split all the funds we raise in this campaign equally among the 6 Jamaicans who work with us at Jericho Settlers Farm. They will be returning to Jamaica near the end of this month, so we hope to complete fundraising in the next 3 weeks.

Every little bit will help them: to rebuild their homes, to support their families, and to lift their spirits in knowing they are appreciated and loved by their Vermont community.

Thank you - Christa Alexander and Mark Fasching

Owners/Farmers, Jericho Settlers Farm, Jericho Vermont