FROM the hills of St Andrew to the bustling stalls of Papine Market, Vinnett Barrett, affectionately known as Sister Barrett, has spent more than three decades proving that farming can raise children, fund dreams and build a future.

“People don’t always believe farming is important,” she said. “But if we don’t farm, what do people eat? Farming is a good business. I’m very proud to be a farmer.”

Known for her neat rows of lettuce and crisp pak choi, it is evident that Barrett takes pride in her work. Yet her greatest pride has always been her twins, Brian and Brieana. Both are students at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus; an achievement made possible entirely through the dedication and hard work she and her husband, Oswald, have poured into their farm over the years.

Originally from Content Gap, St Andrew, Barrett and her husband now farm in Peter’s District, where the couple grows a wide variety of produce, including cucumber, lettuce, string beans, and onions.

Her journey has not been without hardship. Like many farmers across Jamaica, Barrett felt the impact of Hurricane Melissa last October, which devastated crops and livelihoods islandwide. While the western parishes bore the brunt of the storm’s destruction, farmers across the country faced losses that tested their resilience. For the Barretts, their coffee farm was badly affected, forcing them to start over.

“We’ve been planting it back slowly but surely,” she shared. “You can’t give up. Farming teaches you patience.”

That resilience was on display at the 2026 Sagicor SIGMA Run ‘Market on the Terrace’ fund-raising event where Barrett participated as a produce vendor. For her, the event provided sales, access, visibility, and recognition, while also giving her a chance to connect with fellow farmers.

“Sometimes we have a lot of crops and no market for them,” she explained. “So, when companies do things like this, it really helps us as farmers.”

Her experience at the market, she said, was deeply rewarding. “It was very good, socialising with customers and staff,” she laughed. “This Sagicor market is a blessing. I wish they could keep it every month, because it’s a great opportunity. We really appreciate whoever takes the time to put this market together.”

She dreams of expanding her business further, building steady supply relationships with buyers and providing produce regularly. “What I’m hoping for is to get more buyers,” she said. “If I can support them every week, even for hotels or other places, I would love that.”

She is equally passionate about encouraging young Jamaicans to see farming differently, not as a last resort, but as a viable and rewarding career.

“Most young people don’t believe that if they go into farming, they can make a good living,” she said. “But I’m telling them, farming is a good thing. It’s a good business for young people.”

For more than 30 years, Vinnett Barrett, affectionately known as Sister Barrett, has proven that farming can feed a nation and fund dreams.