Levo launches Pilot in Jamaica

One of the three hydroponic gardens at Revival Primary.

This December, Levo Founder Christian Heiden traveled to Negril, Jamaica with Levo Partner Father Mike Johnson from The Franciscan Urban Ministry in Hartford to build hydroponics for Revival Primary School. The Franciscan mission in Negril supports a number of community initiatives, including the management of Revival Primary School. The school is located one of in the rural communities that surround Negril, a major tourist region of Jamaica. In partnership with the Friars along with their generous financial support, Christian spent the week working alongside the school staff, students, and local community members constructing three solar-powered hydroponic gardens for the school.

Heiden (left), Precilla Payne, and Fr. Mike Johnson

Christian worked closely throughout the week with Precilla Payne, who is now working with Levo’s U.S. team to oversee the project. Precilla is a retired nurse who worked in the U.S. for over 30 years. Now she supports the Francisca clinic and is an active gardener. Even before Christian and Mike left, she was acquiring materials to build her own system at home. Due to the high level of excitement from the school staff and the surrounding community, Levo is already planning an expansion of programs to more schools and households throughout the region in the next 12 months.

The produce will go to support the school’s meal program, which struggles to provide fresh produce to students. The staff is working with Levo to craft a curriculum and training for students around hydroponic production.

“The potential of hydroponics in Jamaica is huge.” says Heiden, “The need for fresh produce is there and the materials we need are readily available.”