Melissa Response: Farms & Food Security

Hello friends,

I wanted to share a focused update on our work in Jamaica, where Blue Atlas Project continues to support communities moving from disaster recovery toward longer-term resilience.

In December, I spent time on the ground in Jamaica with our partners, reconnecting with farmers and community members who are still rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa. While the most urgent emergency response has passed, many families are still working to restore the basics that allow them to live and farm safely.

Our immediate priority has been roof repair paired with guttering and water catchment systems, with a focus on farming households so that water access directly supports both homes and food production. Working with FarmUp Jamaica and hiring local crews, we have allocated $5,000 to repair 10 roofs, each with a full water catchment system at an average cost of $500 per home. This work is currently underway, with additional homes already identified and scheduled over the next 4–6 weeks.

Alongside this effort, we are actively working with two farming associations in Jamaica. One association has lost their greenhouse which provided seeds and plants for for farming families, helping stabilize operations as they slowly get back underway. The second association is one we are currently partnering with through our SULA Grant program.

Through this partnership, Blue Atlas Project has provided a $5,000 SULA Grant to support the construction of an aquaponics tank system for an impacted farmer in Westmoreland. This initial investment helps the farmer begin rebuilding with a more resilient, water-efficient system. However, for the operation to be financially sustainable, the association is seeking funding to build not one, but two aquaponics tanks and greenhouse with deep water systems. The full project budget is $25,000, with $5,000 already in place, and additional funding needed to complete the system in a way that supports long-term viability and income generation.

We also continue to support greenhouse repair and recovery for seed saving, plant propagation, and farmer training. These spaces are critical for maintaining local seed stock and ensuring farmers have access to the resources and knowledge needed to adapt to changing climate conditions. One of the farms we are working with also partners closely with schools, offering field trips and hands-on learning opportunities for students while providing training for farmers across the region.

In addition, we are moving forward with the Seaweed Demonstration and Research Project in partnership with regional and local organizations, including the Alligator Head Foundation. This initiative supports applied research, best practices, and capacity-building within Jamaica’s growing aquaculture community. The project received a $7,000 grant from the Foundation for Sustainable Innovations, and Blue Atlas Project will be sending a total $7,500 to the Alligator Head Foundation by the end of January. Together, this funding will support completion of the project by the end of Q1.

Across all of this work, our current funding goal for Jamaica is approximately $50,000. This would allow us to continue roof and water system repairs, support sustainable farming infrastructure, complete the aquaponics expansion, and advance aquaculture research that strengthens coastal and farming communities alike.

Thank you for being part of this work. Your support allows us to stay engaged beyond the initial response phase and invest in solutions that help communities rebuild in ways that are stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable than before.

With appreciation,
Kali Kirkendall
Executive Director
Blue Atlas Project