When you become a member of the Community Gardens at Plantation Succour, you’re not just renting a plot of land—you’re joining a living piece of Caribbean history. Every day you spend tending your garden, you walk the same paths where many local Sint Maartener ancestors once labored, but now you do so as a free person cultivating food for your own family and community.

The heritage site opens its gates to members during daylight hours, allowing you to experience the profound transformation of this 300+ year-old plantation. As you work among the ancient slave walls that now frame your growing beds, you participate in guided heritage tours that tell the complete story of how this land evolved from a symbol of oppression into a beacon of food sovereignty. These aren’t just historical lectures—they’re storytelling sessions where the Marlin family legacy comes alive, connecting you to the deeper meaning of every seed you plant and every harvest you gather.

Your membership includes comprehensive educational support through our partnership with the Heritage Agrarian Institute of Caribbean Innovation (HAICI). Rather than learning farming techniques in isolation, you participate in monthly workshops that blend traditional Caribbean agricultural wisdom with cutting-edge sustainable practices. These sessions cover everything from understanding our unique climate patterns to mastering organic pest management techniques that your grandparents might have used. You’ll learn to save seeds from heirloom Caribbean varieties, ensuring that traditional crops continue to thrive in modern gardens.

The community aspect of membership extends far beyond individual plot management. Throughout the year, you’ll participate in quarterly harvest festivals that celebrate not just the abundance of your gardens, but the cultural richness of Caribbean agricultural traditions. Monthly potluck gatherings become opportunities to share recipes made from your own produce while learning from fellow gardeners who bring decades of growing experience. Children’s programs during school holidays ensure that the next generation understands where their food comes from and how to grow it themselves.

Technical support comes through on-site FFGA agricultural consultants who understand the unique challenges of growing food on terraced, sloped terrain. These experts provide personalized soil assessments for your specific plot, helping you understand how the volcanic earth responds to different crops and growing methods. They monitor weather patterns and provide advance warnings for hurricane season, teaching you how to protect your crops and prepare for the storms that are part of Caribbean life.

Your membership also opens economic opportunities that extend beyond personal food production. The Keys Market reserves vendor stalls for community garden members, allowing you to sell surplus produce. This isn’t just about making money—it’s about building a local food economy where neighbors support each other’s agricultural efforts. Through bulk purchasing arrangements, you access seeds, tools, and organic amendments at reduced costs, while participation in community activities earns you Eco Shares and Caribbean Eco Tokens (CARET) that can be used for future purchases or services.