While the satisfaction and hard work of running a farm are often in the spotlight, what about the challenges and dangers that lurk on the land and beyond? Allow me to share the tale of when Vanilla Paradise Nevis faced the removal of a bee’s nest. If you've never been up close and personal with a bee’s nest before, read on—it's a treat!

At Vanilla Paradise Nevis, our organic vanilla farm on the picturesque island of Nevis, we have reached a significant milestone. While the official inauguration of our farm is on the horizon, we couldn't resist giving names to our three shade houses, each reflecting the vibrant surroundings and essence of Nevis. Find out the inspiration behind the names, the significance of each, and the role of our dedicated farm workers in bringing this vision to life.

My name is Gina, and I have the singular honour of tending to the first and only organic and sustainable vanilla farm on the island of Nevis. Today, I stand at the crossroads of curiosity and wonder, for I have stumbled upon an unexpected treasure in the forest, and with the find comes an enigma. I invite you to read this peculiar mystery story…

When I embarked on my plan to found a vanilla farm on Nevis, I knew I was in for a lot of hard work and that I couldn't do it alone. In our ongoing series, featuring the local people who are helping me, let me introduce you to Isiah Parry, a gifted craftsman and tree expert who has played a vital role in preparing the wooden posts needed to support the growth of our vanilla plants at Vanilla Paradise Nevis. Isiah's deep connection to the land and his unique approach to his craft make him an invaluable member of our team.

Discover how Vanilla Paradise Nevis is acting on its Biodiversity Day pledge by planting coconut trees, fostering biodiversity, and supporting organic, sustainable practices. Explore the interesting world of coconuts and their impact on our vanilla farm's future.

Welcome to the first 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.

Meet Toni, the dog who helps me on my organic vanilla farm in the island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Toni is a Rhodesian Ridgeback female who was born in Switzerland but came on a one way ticket to Nevis when she was 4 months old.at Now 2 years old, she's a loyal and protective dog who is always at my side, getting involved in all I do around the farm.

Gina Empson, Vanilla farmer from the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, shares her experience visiting a vanilla cooperative in Puerto Rico to learn about sustainable farming practices.

If you are a Nevis resident or frequent visitor to the island, you will no doubt be familiar with a very welcome roadside stand, opposite the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park at the top of Pinney’s Beach. It is a very popular place, and you may have to park some way off to order what is on offer. But this is no ordinary coconut water stand; it represents an essential element of the organic approach we have adopted at Vanilla Paradise Nevis to cultivate our precious vanilla. For us, it’s not only what is being sold on the spot that is interesting: it’s a whole package and it’s one of the most important parts of growing our vanilla.

Vanilla is the key to many fragrances, iconic or not, and adds a touch of magic.  We are working hard to produce quality beans and hope that, one day, Vanilla Paradise Nevis will provide the magic ingredient behind a world brand in the future!  

The end of the flowering season does not mean that it’s holiday time for us at Vanilla Paradise Nevis. Certainly, the laborious early-morning hand-pollination of the orchids is over, and our beans are growing, but now the second period of high intensity work on the farm begins. This consists of maintenance and making new cuttings for next year’s growth of flowers. What’s the next phase at Vanilla Paradise Nevis?

At Vanilla Paradise Nevis a very important season of the year is just coming to an end: the flowering season for vanilla orchids. This means that it’s also the end of the pollinating season. Watch as Gina Empson hand-pollinates a flower and learn why it’s done this way.

In a recent newsletter to their members, Lorna Glover Abungu of the Nevis Heritage Conservation Societym graciously featured Gina Empson’s inspiring journey to Nevis and her lifelong dream of establishing a vanilla farm. At that time, Vanilla Paradise Nevis was just starting out, but now, after a year of growth and development, it has transformed in such remarkable ways that it's barely recognizable!

At Vanilla Paradise Nevis, we cultivate organic and sustainable vanilla on the tropical island of Nevis and vanilla is anything but plain to me. Like many people, I encountered the expression "plain vanilla" to describe something that is basic, ordinary, or unremarkable, without really knowing why. So, I decided to dive deeper into this term and explore how it is used and why.

Each year, on May 22nd the world celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity to raise awareness and understanding of the vital role biodiversity plays in sustaining life on our planet. The Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted in 1992 by the United Nations and ratified by 196 countries, aims to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and its components.

Discover the fascinating history of vanilla, its ties to Mesoamerican culture, and how it became one of the most popular flavours in the world. Learn about the ingenious discovery of a 12-year-old boy that revolutionized the vanilla industry, and the current state of vanilla production worldwide.

Vanilla is a flavour that is beloved by many, and for good reason. It is versatile, able to be used to elevate any recipe. But did you know that vanilla also played a key role in changing the way we cook? Let’s explore the fascinating history of vanilla and its impact on the culinary world.

As a business entrepreneur and founder of two companies, I've always been driven to succeed and pursue my passions. After successfully selling my fiduciary and then my payrolling company, The Business Harbour, in Geneva, Switzerland I went back to my young adult passion, botany. Fate played a role in discovering the pristine Caribbean tropical island of Nevis. This led me to start my own organic and sustainable vanilla farm on Nevis.