AS Jamaica celebrates Father’s Day, author Kadian Snow is reflecting on the influence of two men who helped shape her life — one who provided for her needs and another who instilled values that continue to guide her today.

Snow, 36, penned The Rasta Farmer, an Amazon best-seller published in 2024. She notes that the book serves as a tribute to her biological father, Stifford Snow, and her uncle-in-law, Vinrow Small, both of whom played distinct but significant roles in her upbringing.

“The story about my parents had never been told, so I decided to share the story about the two dads in my life,” Snow said.

While many Father’s Day conversations focus on financial provision, Snow, an east Kingston native, believes the role of fathers extends far beyond that.

“I believe that fathers play a pivotal role in a child’s life,” she said.

Snow, who majored in psychology and minored in management studies at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, credits her uncle-in-law with providing stability and unwavering support throughout her upbringing.

“I grew up with him. He was always working and being supportive of me and others in his family,” she explained.

Her biological father contributed in a different but equally meaningful way.

“While my dad didn’t financially support me, he was always giving sound advice about obedience and trusting in Jah,” Snow recalled.

Those lessons left a lasting impression on her. She wore locs from 2013 to 2016, influenced by her father’s example and her admiration for Rastafarian culture.

“Fathers play a vital role in shaping our identity,” she asserted.

That belief became the foundation for The Rasta Farmer, a book that tells of her father as a Rastafarian farmer in St Elizabeth, while celebrating the values, sacrifices, and wisdom he shared.

The inspiration came at a time when Snow was considering walking away from writing altogether. Instead, a dream reignited her passion and gave birth to the concept that would become the book.

“I had a dream about my fathers and woke up with the idea of the book in my mind, so I decided to act on it immediately,” she said.

The project has since exceeded her expectations. The Rasta Farmer achieved Amazon best-seller status.

“As a Caribbean author who just started her career in publishing in June 2020, it’s a great accomplishment. I have to give thanks unto God; it is such a proud achievement. I feel elated,” she said.

The book also pays tribute to Jamaica’s farming community, which Snow believes deserves greater recognition.

“Food is the staff of life, and without our beloved farmers we can’t eat,” she said, adding that the work seeks to highlight farmers in a positive light while bringing pride to the agricultural community.

More recently, the book was adapted into an audiobook narrated by Caribbean voice artist Diane Dazell, expanding its reach to a wider audience.

Although Snow has written 13 books, she says her current focus is not on producing new titles but on increasing the visibility of her existing works. Among her ambitions are seeing her books placed in more schools and bookstores worldwide, and eventually adapting her first book into a movie.

For Father’s Day, however, Snow hopes readers will take away a message that goes beyond the pages of her book.

For her, the influence of fathers is measured not only by what they provide materially, but by the values, guidance and identity they help instil in the lives of their children.

Through her published work she has preserved that lesson for future generations. One father’s wisdom, another father’s support, and a daughter’s gratitude for both.