Each successful tree shipment results from a delicate dance between partners. Arriving this week, 1,000 new breadfruit trees will benefit the people of Barbados. There are so many people to thank!
The plants originated from Tissue-Grown Corporation’s greenhouse in California. Karin Bolczyk shipped the trees to Florida, where TTFF board member Dr. Ken Banks stored them in his living room over the weekend!
Ken loaded them into a truck, drove them to Miami, and got them situated with Caribbean Airlines freight. Off the plants went to Barbados!
A hiccup – local police spent several hours examining all the freight in the airport’s warehouse. The trees were jostled but unbroken.
Longtime partner Barney Gibbs of Future Centre Trust retrieved them once they were finally released. He drove them across the island to meet the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Indar A. Weir M.P.’s team, including Keeley Holder, Chief Agricultural Officer.
A group led by Chris Alleyne from Walker’s Reserve joined them, and together they replanted the trees.
It looks like all the plants will survive their odyssey!
TTFF couldn’t do what we do without reliable partners passionate about our purpose – planting fruit trees for food, jobs and the environment.
We’d like to recognize Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, one of the world’s greatest champions of climate change and food sovereignty.
Thank you also to Dr. Kevin Greenidge, governor of The Central Bank of Barbados, who introduced us to Minister Weir.
Let us not forget to share our gratitude with National Tropical Botanical Garden, steadfast supporter.
And to all of the friends of TTFF: Thank you!
Now here is a message from TTFF co-founder Mike McLaughlin on how the project unfolded:
