About Us
OUR MISSION
Land We Love’s vision is to become the primary producer of high quality, sustainable, organic produce in the Caribbean for both the domestic and North American export markets. The company’s innovative model aims to help transform the agricultural economy and social well-being of not only Jamaica but potentially other Caribbean islands after the model is successfully proven out. Our goal is to provide between 350 - 500 jobs in the local community.Our employee ratio is approx. 70% female / 30% male.To build, using sustainable materials and technology. (Hi-tech automated greenhouse system reduces power and water waste; solar panel technology supplies green energy to the whole facility; reusable water irrigation and collection system will not cause heavy demands on local water supply. We will create local supply-chain jobs in transport, distribution, shipping, exports, and sales. We will create opportunities for local farmers to learn new (hi-tech, modern) methods in farming.We will be leaving a legacy for the next generation to learn precision farming techniques to carry the country forward in being more self-sufficient. Organic = No chemical pesticides!We will help the government’s initiative to “buy fresh and buy local”. This in turn helps promote healthy eating. By leading the way, we will help instigate competition in the domestic and export markets to help Jamaica become a provider of healthy organic food in the Caribbean and around the world.
Our project team has extensive experience in the high-tech agriculture field and has built, operated, and successfully ran greenhouse operations both in Canada and the US. Several of the team are Jamaican-born, including the President and founder of Land We Love Organic Greenhouses LLC. Several are also currently working and living in Jamaica and have a deep understanding of all aspects of the local market. Our greenhouse operation will be the largest in the West Indies and will use the latest in greenhouse technology to produce high quality, consistent crop for both domestic and international exports. The operation will be Certification with an international recognized organic association standards.
The Caribbean region faces significant socio-economic problems such as high unemployment, most with distinctive gender imbalances. There is also persistent and extreme food insecurity… The development of the agriculture sector should be a key priority to address all these challenges and Land We Love Organic Greenhouses will meet all these challenges head-on with a proposed 50 acres of organic greenhouse production and over 145 acres of organic field production.
LET's MEET OUR TEAM
Michael Allen (President / CEO)
Michael has 24 years of extensive experience in both agriculture, the business of agriculture, and organic greenhouse business operations in Canada. Jamaican-born, Michael’s lifelong ambition is to replicate his agricultural knowledge and experience from Canada in Jamaica by creating a large-scale greenhouse operation that is both profitable and contributes to the economic prosperity and social well-being of the region. A former professional athlete, Michael played 7 years in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a defensive back, winning 3x national Grey Championships, 2x induction in the CFL Hall of Fame with his team, and holds both a CFL and Guinness World record in the sport.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Allen_(Canadian_football)
These accomplishments on the football field have prepared Michael to become a team player in the business world, with 24 years of agriculture experience and 17 years in organic commercial high-tech greenhouses ● Deep knowledge of organic agriculture including seed selection; crop management; pest control; irrigation; processing; logistics; organic certification and rating systems and consumer marketing. ● Owned and operated several popular agriculture and processing businesses including, Tree of Life Organic Processing Ltd, GBE Chilliwack Heirloom Organic Farm Ltd, and Garden Back to Eden Organic Ltd. ● Expertise in greenhouse technology and applications
● Substantial network and relevant relationships with key retailers and wholesalers in the Canadian grocery industry including, Whole Foods, Overwaitea Food Group, Gordon Foods, Sobeys, Sysco Foods, Market Place IGA, Pro Organics, and Discovery Organics.
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/vancouver-sun/20080528/281891589019090
Casey Houweling (Director, Operations )
Casey is a global leader in commercial greenhouse operations with over 30 years of expertise. Casey is the founder and builder of one of the largest, most technically advanced, and environmentally friendly greenhouse operations in the world
https://www.entrepreneurialleaders.com/CaseyHouweling
● Designed intellectual property for the greenhouse industry which has lowered costs, improved yields and reached the highest standard of product. ● Owner and operator of over 260 acres in greenhouse production in Arizona, USA; Langley, and BC, Canada ● President of Glass Investments a private consulting firm specializing in greenhouse building and operating best practices ● Well-established customer marketing relationships with Whole Foods, Walmart, Costco, Safeway, and Kroger.
Dee Choy (Director, CFO - Investor Relations & Financial Planning)
In April of 2003, Dee began in the investment industry, for the next 18 years he has developed a strong background in structured financings. He has held senior roles as Managing Partner, Western Canada Sales Manager, National Manager of Sales for Private Capital Companies, and Hedge Funds. As well as in the roles of Account Manager, Senior Account Manager and Commercial Account Manager at three Schedule I Banks in Canada, offering innovative financing and investment solutions.
Dee has a Bachelor of Applied Financial Services Degree, CSC, EMP course, Moody’s Financial Analysis course which has enabled him to consult and assist in the structuring of hundreds of millions of dollars in offerings in over 40 transactions. Some of his major achievements that Dee achieved were:
· Structuring commercial lending of up to $5 million in Banking and private financings up to USD 500 million.
· Business lending solutions via traditional retail, commercial banking, and private lending platforms.
· Built a wholesale network that raised over $200 MM for Exempt Market Dealers.
· Building wholesale distribution channel that raised $115 MM for Private Capital Company.
· Highly successful in Business Development in raising and lending capital through various capital sources.
· Trained and developed multiple teams that were highly successful commercial lenders and capital raising for the Exempt Markets.
Stephan Vonk, BSc. (Head Grower / Production Director)
Stephan has a BSc Degree in nursing and Non-Profit management from the Hague University of Applied Science in the Netherlands.
Industry-recognized seminars, courses, and in-house training in:
-IPM scouting, IPM Bio Control, beneficial insects, Greenhouse systems, fertigation, curtains, heating, and cooling, and Priva Climate Control Systems.
Among other disciplinary positions he has acquired is his Postgrad, Management in the Royal Military School, Netherlands. He completed his Growers Course at the University of Guelph which is known to be the best agriculture school in Ontario and Canada.
· Highly skilled organic Grower.
· Highly skilled in planning and managing IPM scouting, and application of biological control methods and programs.
· Skilled trainer/coach to new growers and IPM specialists in a greenhouse setting.
· Skilled and Experienced Greenhouse manager.
· Extensive Experience in High tech greenhouse production methods and systems. (Hoogendoorn, Bogaerts, Flier, Glass, Poly)
· Fluent in English and Dutch
· Extensive network of contacts in the field of Greenhouse production across Europe and North America.
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Dr. Bernard L. Péan, MD, ED.S, M.ED, MBA (Director -Strategic Planning)
Dr. Pean is a medical doctor in the U.S. with experience working with Advent Health in Strategic planning and organization. He is the third generation Jamaica through his grandmother. Born to Haitian parents in New York, USA, he also fluently speaks three different languages. As a direct descendant of Samuel Sharpe, Jamaica's well-being runs deep in his veins.
He is an experienced and accomplished management executive with extensive operations management expertise in multifaceted state, national, and international healthcare delivery systems. Track record of effective business development of client partnerships at the executive levels. Within an industry undergoing major, fundamental changes, offer the rare and valuable ability to combine…extensive knowledge of care delivery models and payers’ interests… into a unified, seamless, high-quality, and cost-optimized “value-based” sustainable system founded on a common purpose, vision, and teamwork.● Leadership Development ● Consensus & Relationship Building ● Strategic Planning ● Business Negotiations ● Financial Analysis/P&L Management ● Resources Optimization ● Government Regulatory Compliance.
John Edward Ulmer (Director, Investment Planning)
With over 30 years of business and financial investment experience, John completed the Canadian Investment Funds Course in 1988 and the Canadian Securities Course in 1989. He worked as an Assistant financial planner to the President of HLP and associates from 1988-to 1990. He was also an Independent consultant in the private and public company sector for over 25 years raising capital, creating management teams, and helping clients reach their business goals.
He was a strong player in helping companies like Enrich International nutritional to be the first company to successfully encapsulate and market herbal dietary supplements on a commercial basis into Canada in 1992. The Rexall Drugstore franchise combined 10 years ago to form Unicity International.
John was also a pro-football player in 1985-1990 in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and a Grey Cup Champion in 1985. His 1985 Team was Inducted into BC Sports Hall of Fame, BC Football Hall of Fame, and BC Lions Wall of Fame. He also coached at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Listed are a few of his accomplishments in the financial sector.
*Director on private and public companies since 1994
Aitec Capital Inc. Public Company TSX Venture Director and Vice President 1994-1997 *NuCom Director 1997-1999 became public on the OTCBB as Showstar Entertainment *NuAge Electric since 2004 as a consultant raised over $1,000,000.00 2012 as Turbine Systems Inc.
Kokanee Minerals Inc. Publicly traded on the TSX Venture Director 2008-2012 raised $500,000.00 in the IPO. *Interconnect Ventures Corp. Director 2013-2014. *Consolidated Gold Win Capital, Encore Resources Inc. now WestKam Gold Corp. Administrative assistant and Investor Relations since 1998-2018. *Nevada Clean Magnesium Inc which is now Western Magnesium Inc Business Development and Investor Relations since 2018.
To date, he has raised over $100,000,000.00+ for different companies and charitable associations.
Phil Pavitt (Director, Building Development & Planning)
Phil is a Chartered Surveyor with over 20 years of experience providing consulting services to the construction development industry across the globe. He specializes in providing business-case analysis and planning, development management, cost management, and lender’s technical advisory services to real estate developers, investors, business owners, financial institutions, and public authorities.
Phil has been active in a wide range of sectors and markets, working on residential, commercial, mixed-use, healthcare, educational, industrial, and large P3 infrastructure projects. He is currently focused on real estate developments, innovative affordable housing projects, and hi-tech commercial agricultural developments in Canada and the Caribbean.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philpavittcanada/
Darrell Zbeetnoff, MSc, MNRM, MA, PAg, CAC (Director - Agro-Environmental Consultant)
Darrell [M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics), M.N.R.M. (Natural Resources Management), M.A. (Physical Anthropology), P.Ag., CAC] is a professional agrologist and certified agricultural consultant. He has over 30 years of consulting experience providing business planning and analytical services to the agricultural industry in British Columbia, Canada.
Darrell specializes in strategic planning, feasibility assessment, agro-environmental impact analysis, and project evaluation. His projects have included investigation and analysis of sectoral issues, industry trends, market and economic opportunities, and regulatory environments for a wide range of public and private clients.
Darrell has investigated the North American vegetable greenhouse industry and produced several reports for investor and banker clients. As an advisor, he has delivered the federal-provincial Environmental Farm Plan program to the sector.
Site Content
Why The Island Of Jamaica?
Jamaica is the largest English speaking country and the third largest in terms of the landmass in the Caribbean. Currently, agriculture accounts for only 7% of GDP, however, with the high demand from North America for organic products and the domestic food supply gap, Jamaica is well-positioned to become a major agricultural player in the Caribbean. Jamaica’s value proposition is predicated on an expansive local market bolstered by over four million visiting tourists annually and the increasing demand for high-quality organic produce overseas... In addition, the country’s close proximity to key US and Canadian export markets makes for an attractive market.
The Jamaican agriculture industry has grown from producing mainly sugar, to include more than two dozen crops for domestic consumption and export. With roughly 41% of the total land area of 440,000 hectares of agricultural land, there are tremendous opportunities for investors in Jamaica’s agriculture sector. A key driver behind the focus on sustainable agriculture is the government’s commitment to both reduce Jamaica’s significant food import bill and to increase the production of crops for the export market. The Jamaican Government has introduced several initiatives to support farmers and producers.
Ideal Growing Climate
Tropical
The climate in Jamaica is tropical. The temperature in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, (where LWL’s proposed facility will be located), fluctuates throughout the year between 23 and 32°C.
Rain
Rainy season falls in May and June and September to November. Rain falls throughout the year in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth. The most rain falls during the 31 days centered around October 1, with an average total accumulation of 88mm. The least rain falls around March 14, with an average total accumulation of 14mm.
Sun
The length of the day in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth varies over the course of the year. In 2020, the shortest day is December 21, with 11 hours, 3 minutes of daylight; the longest day is June 20, with 13 hours, 13 minutes of daylight.
Beaches
Nothing needs to be said about this!
You’ll feel “Irie” on all of the island's beaches, which is about as laid back as they come. Jam to some Reggae music as the waves gently brush against the shoreline or even try some surf lessons. Something about this beach will make you feel as though you’re in the right place, and that all the right elements have come together to create this chill Caribbean gem that a lucky few get to experience while in Jamaica. Both locals and foreigners enjoy going to the beach, and the entertainment and food at the beach bar are especially popular.