Bahamian George Johnson dreamed of creating a farm that would feed his family and community. Ol’ Freetown Farm on Grand Bahama soon became a lively place filled with animals—horses, goats, chickens, pigs, ducks, turkeys, and rabbits—as well as seasonal vegetables. By 2014, George planted his first two breadfruit trees, a gift from a friend. By 2018, those trees were bearing fruit, adding resilience to the farm’s food supply.
Surviving the Storms
Hurricane Matthew in 2016 destroyed many of the young fruit trees on the farm, but the breadfruit trees stood firm. That strength made George pay attention. Breadfruit, he realized, could be the backbone of food security.
Then came Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. The most powerful storm to ever hit the Bahamas brought a 20-foot storm surge. Ol’ Freetown Farm was submerged under seven feet of water. George and his wife, Sissel, sought refuge on the roof, while his mother-in-law, Virginia, spent more than 30 hours stranded in the floodwaters before being rescued. The toll on the farm was immense: animals lost, crops destroyed, and fruit trees devastated. Tragically, Kenel Joseph, a longtime farm employee lost his life.
A Lifeline Through Breadfruit
In the aftermath, George turned to Trees That Feed Foundation. After an emotional call, TTFF’s co-founder Mary McLaughlin understood the long road ahead and vowed to help. George received breadfruit trees along with other fruit trees—avocado, cherries, plums—from TTFF. These trees became a cornerstone of the farm’s recovery.
“The encouragement and support from Trees That Feed gave us hope,” George shared. “Even after the hurricanes, we kept going because we knew these trees would grow and feed people for generations.”
In 2023, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of her country’s independence, Bahamas’ First Lady Ann Marie Davis, the prime minister’s wife, presented 50 breadfruit trees to George and Sissel Johnson.
Growing Toward the Future
Today, Ol’ Freetown Farm continues to recover and expand. George is clearing land for new plantings. The dream of food sustainability is alive again. Cruiseships are even offering excursions to “explore Ol’ Freetown Farm, a serene agricultural haven in Grand Bahama, where nature meets the charm of rural Bahamian life and fresh produce awaits.”
What started as survival is now a story of renewal. Thanks to the determination of a Bahamian farmer, the strength of his family, a supportive government, and the partnership of Trees That Feed Foundation, Ol’ Freetown Farm stands as a testament to resilience and the power of breadfruit—feeding people, creating opportunity, and rebuilding stronger after the storm.
If you are a supporter of TTFF, then you too are a hero in this story. Thank you!
