Pioneering Regenerative Farming (for Ocean Health and Economic Empowerment)

Photo: Kee Farms

In the heart of Jamaica lies a beacon of hope and innovation in the realm of regenerative farming – Kee Farms. 

Established with a vision to harness the transformative power of agriculture for both economic prosperity and environmental sustainability, Kee Farms stands as a testament to the potential of holistic, community-driven approaches to addressing pressing global challenges. Through its efforts in cultivating seaweed and fostering a network of empowered fisherfolk, Kee Farms is not only shaping the future of agriculture but also spearheading initiatives aimed at improving ocean health and uplifting communities. 

Cultivating sustainability 

At Kee Farms, sustainability is not merely a buzzword; it’s a guiding principle embedded in every facet of operations. Central to its mission is the cultivation of sea moss, including gracilaria, kappaphycus and eucheuma, with a dual purpose: extracting carbon from the atmosphere and empowering local fisherfolk through training and employment opportunities. By cultivating seaweed, Kee Farms not only mitigates climate change but also contributes to the restoration of ocean health. 

Empowering communities 

Collaborating closely with local fisherfolk, Kee Farms extends its network potential, empowering communities and fostering economic growth. Through training programs and employment opportunities, Kee Farms aims to provide a stable income source for fisherfolk, thereby reducing overfishing pressures and allowing marine ecosystems to recover and flourish. This collaborative approach not only uplifts local economies but also strengthens the social fabric of communities. 

Innovative solutions for ocean health Kee Farms’ commitment to ocean health extends beyond cultivation to the development of innovative solutions. 

By harnessing the power of seaweed, Kee Farms addresses key environmental challenges: 

• Carbon removal: Through rapid seaweed growth, Kee Farms actively captures and stores carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change mitigation. 
• Habitat creation: Seaweed farms serve as mini-ecosystems, providing habitats for marine species and enhancing biodiversity. 
• Water quality improvement: Seaweeds absorb excess nutrients, helping to prevent harmful algal blooms and improving water quality. 
• Legislative advocacy: Kee Farms collaborates with the Jamaican government to enact policies that protect oceans and support sustainable mariculture practices. 

Measuring impact 

To measure its impact on ocean health, Kee Farms employs a comprehensive approach, conducting biodiversity inventories, monitoring water quality parameters and quantifying carbon removal. Through rigorous testing and analysis, Kee Farms tracks its progress and continually strives to enhance its environmental footprint. 

Currently, all of this testing is done quarterly, but we are aiming for monthly by the end of 2024. At a high level, our biodiversity inventories are done through dive surveys as our marine biologists assess the number of fish, plants, and other marine life within a sample area over the course of time. We measure the water acidity, temperature and salinity with a “YSI” water test, the one-stop source for environmental water quality monitoring instrumentation, to track changes to each over time. 

Finally, to calculate our carbon removal figures, we do a sample analysis and measure the amount of elemental carbon in the sample of seaweed. This allows us to measure the amount of carbon removed from the weight of the biomass. 

Thus far, we have noticed about a 10 percent increase in biodiversity and removed 3 tonnes of carbon. We are excited to see more of our impact as we scale up operations in the next 15 months. 

Competitive advantages 

Kee Farms possesses several competitive advantages that set it apart in the market: 

• Innovative business model: By empowering local communities and leveraging seaweed cultivation, Kee Farms ensures scalability and community involvement.
• Unique geographical location: Situated in the Caribbean, Kee Farms benefits from optimal ocean conditions and access to specific seaweed species, enabling higher yields and diverse product offerings. 
• Intellectual property and product portfolio: With proprietary processes and a wide range of byproducts, including activated carbon and biochar, Kee Farms caters to multiple industries while actively restoring the environment. 

Nicholas Kee 

Nicholas Kee is a multi-hyphenate. He is the co-founder and CEO of Kee Farms, a regenerative ocean farm network focused on growing seaweed, oysters and other oceanic organisms with the aim of reducing greenhouse gases and increasing biodiversity in oceanic ecosystems. Prior to this, he was the co-founder and Executive Director of Next Gen Creators, a non-profit organization aimed at promoting software development, digital literacy skills employment and tech-entrepreneurship for youths in the Caribbean. 

Nicholas is also the Jamaica Youth Ambassador to the Commonwealth, a UNICEF U-Reporter, and a member of the World Bank Solutions for Youth Employment Coalition. Nicholas is an active community leader focused on AI Ethics & Regulations, Sustainable Development, and Digital Awareness & Literacy. He hopes to bring climate change action and mitigation to the forefront of the Caribbean so that its people can participate meaningfully in this circular blue economy. 

Kee Farms: Key Achievements and Milestones 

From environmental impact to business development, Kee Farms has achieved significant milestones: 

Environmental impact and fundraising: 

• To date, we’ve removed 3 tonnes of carbon from the environment and solidified partnerships with six fish sanctuaries. 
• We’ve secured US$110,000 in non-dilutive funding from the Alligator Head Foundation, the Government of Jamaica, United Nations Development Programme: Archipelagic and Island States (UNDP:AIS), Halcyon, the Development Bank of Jamaica, the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean and the Expo City Live Program. Business development: 
• November 2023: Entered into a partnership with a major resort conglomerate to start farms off of their development and to collect and remove invasive seaweed species from their property. 
• April, June, and July 2023: Secured Letters of Intent from three companies (two wholesale and one value-added product purchaser). 

Operations growth and development: 

Since inception, we’ve collaborated closely with the Government of Jamaica to develop ocean farming policies, legislation and guidelines, and have obtained all necessary permits and licenses for our operations. 

• May 2022: Seaweed growing operations started. 
• July 2022 – December 2022: Trained 50 community members – intro to seaweed farming.
• September 2022 – April 2023: Ran a pilot project to grow oysters. This project will be scaled up and resumed at a later date as part of our multitrophic system phase. 
• June 2023: Research, development and prototyping into proprietary byproduct from invasive seaweed species. Awards, nominations and designations: 
• March 2023 and January 2024: Nominated for the Earthshot Prize which is run by the British Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. 
• May 2023: Won the World Bank Youth Summit Award. 
• July 2023: Designated as the official ambassador for the Government of Jamaica’s food strategic plan, which focuses on food security, agribusiness development, climate smart technologies and export expansion. 

Participation in accelerator and mentor programs Kee Farms’ participation in accelerator and mentor programs has been instrumental in its growth: 

• Seaworthy collective incubator: Provided essential frameworks and connections for fundraising and business development. 
• Halcyon accelerator: Offered critical insights and guidance for startup growth, including legal and strategic support. 
• Yunus & Youth Fellowship: Focused on refining enterprises for social impact and emphasizing impact measurement. 

The importance of ocean health to Kee Farms 

For Kee Farms, the restoration of ocean health is not just a mission; it’s a moral imperative. As Jamaicans, we have witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of marine degradation on communities and livelihoods. By restoring ocean health, Kee Farms not only safeguards the environment but also ensures a brighter, more resilient future for Jamaica and beyond. Kee Farms stands at the forefront of a new era in agriculture, one defined by sustainability, innovation and community empowerment. Through its holistic approach to farming and unwavering commitment to ocean health, Kee Farms is paving the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come. 

The OPEC Fund & Jamaica 

To date, the OPEC Fund has approved 24 loans in the public and private sectors for US$235.6 million in Jamaica. The OPEC Fund has also provided US$210,000 for two national grants supporting capacity building and age care. 

Example 

The Primary Education Support Project was signed in 2001 for the renovation of local schools and for strengthening local capacity in school administration, management and planning. The OPEC Fund contributed US$4 million to an upgrade of the curricula, the development of new learning materials and the introduction of professional development schemes for teachers.