Food Security Agriculture Development Sint Maarten

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Sint Maarten is still rebuilding and recovering from the devastating impacts of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. On top of this, COVID-19 is having a severe economic impact on the local economy and community. Due to the crisis, the supply of fresh food has become insecure. To reduce dependence on food imports in the future, large-scale agriculture is necessary to make Sint Maarten less vulnerable and more self-sufficient. There are reserved plots of land to start community gardening and hurricane challenged food cultivation and tillage. We want to move forward with further developing and supporting local agricultural projects on St. Maarten.

Volunteering opportunity at Vicky’s Keys Volunteer Center Sint Maarten

Our Volunteer Center is based in Sint Maarten Dutch West Indies which goes by the name Vicky’s Keys - www.vickyskeys.com. Managed by volunteers this location accommodates volunteers from abroad who work together with local based volunteers at several organized Eco Projects. Besides being a Volunteer Center this location functions as a Hostel - a low budget lodging facility - for tourists.

We have vacant Volunteer positions for which we seek reliable candidates who are willing to become part of something beautiful. This is done by investing time and making an effort in helping us to create sustainable Eco Projects of which in turn can be enjoyed by us all in the near future.

The Eco projects we are preparing / have started are:

1. Reinstating an old 17th century plantation site.
2. Creating community gardens/ allotments.
3. Developing Community Supported Agriculture while applying hurricane challenged methods and and principles such as permaculture, aquaponics and hydroponics.

1. Landscaping and putting renewable facility systems in place for biogas, waste and waste-water management, solar system with battery bank, rainwater harvesting etc.
2. Construction of self-sufficient and sustainable homes made out of modified shipping containers.
3. Further development of The Keys Market location.

1. landscaping activities and perma-cultured gardens maintenance at the Volunteer Center premises,
2. maintenance of the Aquaponic system and cultivating fish, fruit, herbs and veggies at the Volunteer Center premises,
3. landscaping and tillage activities at the Community Gardens division,
4. assist with constructing exterior designs by recycling / re-purposing materials,
5. landscaping activities at The Keys Market division,
6. assist with marketing activities for the Community Gardens and The Keys Market.
7. assist with organizing The Keys Market events.
8. taking care of holiday guests when booked for the hostel:
   • reservation management, check-in and check-out of guests
   • preparing breakfast for guests
   • housekeeping
   • cooking / bartending (e.g. happy hour, bbq, pick-nick events)