ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary — What started as a way for Renae McEachron to earn enough money to care for her new-born has morphed into a full-fledged career. Not only is she a farmer, she is St Mary’s three-time 4-H National Champion Youth Female Farmer — and she’s intent on making 2026 her fourth year holding the title.

McEachron has always had a passion for farming and dreamed of a career in agriculture. She had her hopes set on attending College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE) but financial constraints kept that goal out of reach. Determined to make farming part of her life, about 12 years ago she began rearing goats and she has always had a knack for growing produce.

Today the 35-year-old Annotto Bay resident not only feeds her family but many others in her community. She is co-owner of Renmac’s Farm, a seven-acre property where her main crops are plantains and bananas.

In 2023 she was introduced to the parish manager for St Mary 4-H Club, Halova Stubbs who encouraged her to start an association for farmers in the community. That was the beginning of Rosemount Farmers Group. That same year the group was encouraged to enter the annual St Mary 4-H Expo, but members were hesitant.

“I took upon myself to enter. I entered with pumpkins and plantains but pumpkins were my main crop,” McEachron told the Jamaica Observer.

She was shocked when she was named champion female farmer. She entered again in 2024, that time with watermelons as her main crop, and again she came out on top. This year she took the title again, but with callaloo as the main crop. McEachron explained the reason for her success.

“If I plant one seed it always flourishes in abundance,” said the proud young lady.

There is one downside to that, however. Sometimes she has a surplus of produce.

“I do get sales from the higglers but many times it’s not enough,” said McEachron, her voice heavy with disappointment.

She said the 4-H group encourages farmers to make by-products and she is hoping to get more support from Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) to explore those options.

For now, she is grateful that her partner, Dwayne Davis supports her in her career.

“My husband takes care of the land preparation for the planting. I’m so blessed that anything I plant grows,” McEachron said.

She is encouraging young people to get involved in farming.

“It’s honest and hard work but very rewarding,” the champion farmer said.