IN St Ann, where farming is woven into the rhythm of many communities, access to the right supplies can make all the difference between a productive season and a difficult one. On Windsor Road in St Ann’s Bay, Golden Peak Farm Store has become one of the places farmers turn to for those essentials, providing agricultural products and services that were once harder to find within the parish.

The business emerged from a joint effort between spouses already working within the agricultural field who regularly interacted with farmers through their jobs and who had complained about having to travel outside the parish or into neighbouring areas to find what they needed. For Britally Ricketts, the managing director of Golden Peak Limited, responding to that need was also personal. Agriculture had been part of her life from an early age.

“Growing up and seeing my parents doing it, I loved it and developed a passion for agriculture. I studied it in college, and I get to get first-hand knowledge of some of the things I saw my mother doing and it led me to want to provide that service to farmers as well,” she told the Jamaica Observer in an interview.

As a young girl she spent time on the farm, an experience that continued through her teenage years and eventually influenced her decision to study agriculture in college. Golden Peak Limited opened its first location in 2019 in a smaller building adjacent to where the business now operates on Windsor Road. While the store was not located in the town centre and foot traffic was initially not heavy, farmers with vehicles were still able to access the business, and word-of-mouth gradually helped draw more customers.

“Because of the need for the services, we got customers,” she said.

Over the last year, Golden Peak moved into a larger building next door to accommodate the growing range of products and services it offers. The company has also expanded its presence within St Ann’s Bay itself, acquiring a second location in 2025, directly across from the bus park, to better serve customers moving through the town centre. What began primarily as a supplier of seeds and pesticides has since evolved into a broader agricultural supply hub. Today, Golden Peak Limited offers equipment designed to support broiler production, egg trays and other farm tools, as well as animal feed, herbicides and pesticides. The store also supplies baby chicks on Mondays and Thursdays. Animal feed and baby chicks remain among the most sought after products. Golden Peak also facilitates deliveries across the island. Orders above a minimum threshold qualify for direct delivery, while smaller items are transported through Knutsford Express. The business later became part of Scotiabank’s Vision Achiever programme, an experience Ricketts says reshaped how the company approached its operations. Participation in the programme encouraged the business to strengthen its social media presence, helping attract customers from outside St Ann and expand its client base. While revenues have fluctuated over time, the company has recorded overall growth. One of its strongest periods came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Jamaicans turned toward backyard farming during what became a “grow what you eat and eat what you grow” period. The surge in small-scale farming drove increased demand for agricultural supplies. December also consistently brings higher revenues as farmers and households increase livestock production and prepare supplies for holiday dinners and catering. However, weather-related events later affected many farmers. After the pandemic, the passage of Hurricane Beryl slowed activity within the farming sector. The situation worsened following Hurricane Melissa, which significantly disrupted production among many farmers.

“We didn’t lose any goods or so forth but it’s hard for customers in the production system; it’s taking time for them to get back on their feet,” Ricketts admitted.

Golden Peak serves a large number of small-scale farmers, many of whom have not yet returned to the same level of production they once maintained. As a result, rebuilding revenues is closely tied to the recovery of those farmers. Larger farming operations have also faced challenges, particularly those that invested millions into systems that were later impacted by the storms. Despite those setbacks, Golden Peak continues working to support farmers as they rebuild their operations. Since Golden Peak was established, competition in the immediate area has remained relatively limited. At the time of its launch there was only one other competitor operating nearby, and the number of agricultural supply businesses within the parish remains relatively small. Even so, the number of farming communities across St Ann continues to demonstrate strong demand for agricultural supply services. Looking ahead, the company hopes to expand its delivery services across the island and make agricultural products more accessible to farmers. One idea under consideration is the creation of farming bundles designed specifically for small-scale producers.

“For smaller-scale farmers doing their backyard farming, they can buy a backyard bundle instead of coming in store,” said Ricketts.

Golden Peak is also strengthening its online presence while increasing the volume of animal feed it supplies and developing a website as it continues expanding its digital operations.

Inside Golden Peak Farm Store where products, including pesticides, fertilisers and animal care supplies, are stocked for farmers.

Britally Ricketts, managing director of Golden Peak Limited which supplies agricultural products and services to farmers in St Ann and surrounding communities.

Britally Ricketts interacts with chickens during a visit to a poultry operation.

Roadside signage directing customers to Golden Peak Farm Store in St Ann’s Bay.