ABOUT US
The AgraLiving Institute is a social enterprise acting locally in Bermuda to improve food security and provide sustainable farming education opportunities.
It’s no surprise to anyone that food prices in Bermuda are just RIDICULOUS! Families struggle to afford these high prices and many having fallen into the habit of eating cheap, processed food which is high in calories but low in important vitamins and minerals needed to live healthy active lives.
In addition to this our dangerous dependency on imported food, along with a more sedentary lifestyle, is causing the health epidemic we are experiencing today. The fact of the matter is that 75% of our adult population are overweight or obese and 35% suffer from non-communicable chronic diseases, including diabetes.
Our mission is to improve food security in Bermuda by increasing the amount of local sustainably-grown food allowing families to be able to put more whole, fresh, healthy food on their tables.
This sounds ambitious, right?
Well, we will achieve this mission by inspiring using GROW BIOINTENSIVE Sustainable Agriculture (GBSA) with which we have had great success. GBSA is a sustainable farming method which enables you to grow all the food you need in the smallest space possible while building soil fertility…Wow!
The AgraLiving Institute has been using this method successfully in Bermuda for over 15 years and
truly believe that it’s the perfect method for growing food independence on an island with a limited
amount of land.
OUR MISSION
Our plan is two-fold.
First, connecting the already booming community of home growers with our workshops in GBSA and our one-on-one garden support consultations empowering them to grow more with less.
While many already have experience growing vegetables with GBSA they will learn about vital crops needed to meet their daily calorie requirements including grains, pulses and high-calorie crops. Many of these crops serve the dual purpose of feeding the farmer and improving the fertility of the soil meaning using less fertilizer and water year after year.
Second, Did you know while we struggle to pay the high price of imported food there’s 375 acres of unused farmland in Bermuda?
Over the last 100 years we have disconnected from our agricultural identity. As a result, we have lost both the knowledge of how to feed ourselves as well as over 2,000 acres of precious farmland.
We still have an opportunity to protect what’s left of this vulnerable land by partnering landowners with our certified GBSA farmers bringing food abundance and financial independence to our
community!
OUR TEAM
Chris Faria
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Chris obtained his teacher Certification in GROW BIOINTENSIVE™ in 2018 and is the co-organizer of the Plant & Seed Exchange on island. An advocate for sustainable cultivation, Chris was deeply involved in community outreach prior to launching Agra.
Christina Collis
APPRENTICE & TEACHER
With a background in mindfulness and movement, Christina is passionate about cultivating learning spaces that engage and empower others. As an apprentice and facilitator at Agraliving, Christina delights in sustainable farming as a way to connect to herself, to others and to the Earth.
Rachel Masters
APPRENTICE & ADMINISTRATION
Rachel joined the team as an intern in early 2021 and since then has consistently developed her passion and knowledge for the organization and GROW BIOINTENSIVE sustainable farming methods. She assists with administrative work and web management, as well as the day-to-day running of the Education & Research Garden.
Alba Fernandez
FOUNDER & MEDIA DIRECTOR
Since coming to Bermuda, Alba has integrated into Bermuda seamlessly with deep involvement in sustainable living, art and cultural initiatives across numerous niches and communities. As a founder, she manages the media development, project co-ordination and administration.
Stratton Hatfield
DESIGN CONSULTANT
An environmental and social justice warrior, Stratton has worked on an array of projects that benefit Bermuda's evolution. He assists as a design and art consultant, manages his personal company, Strativist Design, is a partner in BE Solar and an avid gardener as well.
Tara Sapien
DESIGNER & TEACHER
A serial social entrepreneur working in multiple fields, with a background in Environmental Design and biomimetics, Tara is passionate about design, entrepreneurship and empowering others. She manages our web development, teaches, and co-ordinates groups for local food security initiatives under her parent company, Nīdusa.
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Frances Eddy
MENTOR & ADVISOR
Frances has been teaching GROW BIOINTENSIVE™ sustainable farming methods since 2000 and is responsible for creation of both the Farmer's Market and the Crow Lane Community Garden projects, and has also taught food-raising as part of the rehabilitation efforts at the Westgate Correctional Facility.
Kimberley Fisher
TEACHER & ADVISOR
Kim started as an apprentice at Victory Gardens for Peace where she later co-managed the demo mini-farm there. She is passionate about using and teaching GROW BIOINTENSIVE™ as a vehicle to connect others to their own individual and community resilience.
Claire Peverelli
CONSULTANT & TEACHER
Claire is a Montessori-trained outdoor educator with over 15 years of experience working with children who moved to Bermuda in 2021. She loves being a part of the AgraLiving Institute community where she can learn alongside others, share her passion for the outdoors and empower others to connect with nature and care for our planet.
OUR PARTNERS
