Celebrating the work in Gales Point, Belize!
In 2021 the Fly Fishing Collaborative was privileged to come alongside the village of Gales Point, Belize to construct a state-of-the-art aquaponics facility to benefit their community. The above short film by our friend Luke Renard gives you a peak into this incredible village and the people who call it home.
Across three distinct construction phases, and through the efforts of a variety of volunteers and many local community members, the farm was completed this past December of 2021.
The greenhouse at the Gales Point Community Center has a total capacity of 2000 heads of lettuce. A head of lettuce is sold to the local market at $4 BZD ($2 USD.) With a 10% loss rate (standard for these types of facilities), greenhouse projected sales are $1,800 BZD ($900 USD) in gross weekly income. Because the greenhouse allows for year-round production, this operation can generate approximately $46,000 USD per year. The gross weekly income at 10% loss covers labor costs for five full-time employees or ten part-time or seasonal employees. The wages being earned as a part of the production and sale are in line with what a typical Belizean worker would make from a similar job – roughly $300 BZD per week, enough to support a small family.
In addition to greenhouse lettuce production, soil-based row crops were installed adjacent to the greenhouse in December 2021. The soil-based farm is projected to yield roughly 5,000 pounds in vegetables and generate $4,600 USD of income in the first growing season. Farm sales from this farm can provide income for one part-time position during the three-month growing season. In total, at maximum capacity (accounting for 10% loss) the soil farm is projected to yield roughly 5,000 pounds of vegetables and $4,600 of crops at the low price point and $11,000+ at the higher market price point.
The impact of FFC’s work in Belize is just beginning to be realized and we confidently hope that through FFC's continued support and interaction, this farm will be a catalyst for future growth and health for a vibrant and resilient community.
If you’re interested in joining our passionate community of monthly donors to help work like this continue to move forward, you can learn more below. Thank you!
