Guiding Our Farm to Success

Welcome another chapter of our series dedicated to the hard-working individuals behind Vanilla Paradise Nevis, our organic vanilla farm nestled on the stunning island of Nevis in the St Kitts and Nevis Federation. Our journey begins with Trey Mills, a skilled heavy machinery operator from Chicken Stone Village on Nevis. Trey's dedication and expertise have played a crucial role in shaping our farm's sustainable future.

Clearing the Path to Sustainability

At Vanilla Paradise Nevis, we are committed to cultivating vanilla in an organic and sustainable manner. Vanilla plants grow in shaded thick forest, and we needed to recreate this environment for them to thrive. When the cuttings are potted up, they are placed in our "nursery" shade houses where they will stay until strong enough to be moved to the main shade houses.

The land for the shade houses needed to be cleared and prepared, and that's where Trey and his crew came in. They used heavy machinery to clear an area of just over an acre of land, removing bush and boulders but keeping all the mature trees, notably genip, mango and flamboyant. The earth that was moved was reused, to plant palmettos and valuable coconut trees around the land. 

Sometimes Trey had to be extremely careful with the “visitors” to the site - our lovely egrets who were, no doubt, attracted by all the earth-worms the digging threw up.

From Stone Wall Builder to Problem-Solver

Trey's talents extend beyond operating heavy machinery. He is also a skilled stone wall builder, a craft he learned from his father. When it came time to build the walls around our shade houses, Trey's expertise shone through. He not only constructed the walls to be strong and durable, but he also suggested improvements for better accessibility, as you can see in the video.

The land presented Trey and his digger crew with unexpected challenges in the form of massive boulders. Even their sturdy machines had to exert considerable effort to extract them! Rest assured, these boulders will serve a purpose, which we'll reveal in a forthcoming article.

Collaborative Sustainability

One of the greatest advantages of employing local talent like Trey is their intimate knowledge of the land and its unique challenges. Trey's insights and creative suggestions have been invaluable in helping us to develop a sustainable vanilla farm.

At Vanilla Paradise Nevis, the power of collaboration is key. Trey Mills embodies this spirit through his willingness to work hand-in-hand with our farm owner, Gina Empson, and share his valuable insights. It's a testament to the strong sense of community that defines life on Nevis.

As we conclude this first chapter in our series dedicated to the individuals behind Vanilla Paradise Nevis, we thank Trey Mills for his contributions to our organic vanilla farm. His expertise, dedication, and vision have helped us lay the foundation for a sustainable future in vanilla farming on Nevis.

Stay tuned for more stories of the dedicated workers and assistants who make Vanilla Paradise Nevis a true island gem.