ABOUT US |
Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
When an organization exists for the purpose of helping others, the managers of the organization must be focused on the mission without losing sight of the people they are helping. Therefore, we must be selective in the people we welcome into the Farm Up Jamaica family. As farmers look to us for guidance, we look to each other.
Neil Curtis
FOUNDER
Neil Curtis is the Air Rights Specialist at Douglas Ellman's Curtis Group which is making high-rise development possible in New York City. Although he is dedicated to the development of NYC's architectural landscape, he has decided to pursue a long-time heart-felt objective to tackle the current economic crisis in Jamaica through the revitalization of agriculture with climate smart organic farming. With a strong family history in Jamaican farming, Neil understands the value and tradition of farming to live.
In 2013, during the Jamaica Diaspora Conference, Neil met Diaspora from the US, UK and Canada who shared a common, heart-felt concern regarding the underutilized agricultural sector. In contrast to Tourism, which represents 60% of the Jamaican Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Agriculture only represents 6% of the economy. Together, the Diaspora organized to form Farm Up Jamaica Ltd. which would work to help safeguard job & food security in addition to reducing crime through large-scale cultivation of organic produce.
Alcides Curtis
CO-FOUNDER | DIRECTOR
Alcides is a retired Nursing Supervisor who has dedicated herself to giving back to Jamaica and its people. Born in Camaguey, Cuba and daughter to a tobacco & coffee farmer, Alcides has been a proactive fighter for civil rights. At the age of 8, Alcides and her family were forced to leave Cuba and relocate to Jamaica in order to escape political persecution. Although it was tough growing up in a foreign land, having to learn a new language, farming and selling the family’s crops was one of her enjoyments.
At 16, Alcides jumped at the opportunity to study nursing, abroad in England; a career she would love and embrace. Her humble beginnings growing up as a farmer’s daughter inspired her to believe that nothing is impossible. With this in mind, Alcides decided to return to Jamaica to inspire the people who have once inspired her.
Fay Curtis
SR. DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Harold Franco
DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
With 20 years in the NYC real estate business and a stellar reputation as the top agent at her firm, Fay bring to Farm Up Jamaica, her market expertise and vast international network. Known as the go-to broker in NYC for international buyers and renters, Fay works with customers from Germany, UK, South America, Canada, China, Japan, Africa, Mexico, Russia, etc.
Born in London, Fay has traveled extensively throughout the globe which has taught her to empathize and appreciate the unique cultures of other nations. A mentor to many agents over the years, Fay has built a premier team of professionals to exceed the expectations of their clientele. Fay’s achievements are the result of the trust and confidence she is able to build with her clients due to her persistent commitment to achieve their goals.
Harold has extensive international non-profit experience and knows how to work under pressure. With an in-depth knowledge of social interaction as a pastor and Non-Governmental Organizational management, Harold is also our Director of International Relations.
Harold experience includes a mission trip to Africa, Equatorial Guinea. In 2005, he organized a 2 week social interaction retreat. He has also served as Executive Director of the Board of Aid Santiago Fire Department from 1995 to 2000 which consisted of development & execution of a fundraising plan, training, and modernization of the Fire Department of Santiago, Dominican Republic. His worked impacted more than 600 people for over 5 years. Converting the Santiago Fire Department to the most modern and well-equipped in the Fire Department in the Caribbean.
Daihana Martinez
SECRETARY | RESEARCH DIRECTOR
Naala Royale
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Daihana recently made history as the first Hispanic Woman to be appointed Research & Development Director at the incorporated Village of Freeport, NY. During her employ as a government official, she strategically identified key ways to increase revenues and implemented routine check points to safeguard assets.
Daihana is currently the family estate Director and heirloom Manager in the Dominican Republic for her parents. Her agricultural interest and involvement developed through her continual participation in agricultural projects abroad. Daihana’s involvement in Farm Up Jamaica can be much attributed to her global interest in economic revitalization. As the former President of the Environmental Club in Nassau County, Long Island, she is an advocate and believer of the increasing demand for organic food across the globe. She has projected that through consistent and honest efforts, organic agriculture can help employ and feed many of the people in Jamaica. As Secretary and Research Director for Farm Up Jamaica, Daihana tracks important trends, agricultural technologies and develops strategies to help keep Farm Up Jamaica on track to meeting its goals to feed a nation sustainably.
Naala was born in Jamaica and has lived in New York for over 25 years. After graduating from Stony Brook University, Naala delved into a 20 year marketing career working for a major food service company which operates in 42 countries. As VP of Marketing, she was responsible for all strategy development, brand innovation and sales growth. Amid her many accomplishments, her most personal & notable accomplishment was the development of a sustainable brand for Aramark named Green Thread. Green Thread promoted organic food and environmentally friendly operations.
While employed at Aramark, Naala pursued her dream to develop a restaurant reflective of her Jamaican roots. In 2004, she opened a Caribben restaurant, Dunns River Lounge. Though intended to be a hobby, with Naala’s marketing & branding expertise, the restaurant quickly became a successful full-time business which has now been in operation for over ten years.
Today, Naala serves on the Board of Farm Up Jamaica where she is able to leverage her marketing & branding expertise to help build awareness and raise funds for her home country.
Robert Clarke
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
Founder and CEO or Irie Jam Media Group, New York, Robert has spearheaded the company to becoming the most listened to Caribbean radio Station and organizer of some of Tri-State’s largest events. Robert brings his experience in Media to effectively carry out the message of Farm Up Jamaica
SPREAD THE WORD!
Neil Curtis
FOUNDER
Neil Curtis is the Air Rights Specialist at Douglas Ellman's Curtis Group which is making high-rise development possible in New York City. Although he is dedicated to the development of NYC's architectural landscape, he has decided to pursue a long-time heart-felt objective to tackle the current economic crisis in Jamaica through the revitalization of agriculture with climate smart organic farming. With a strong family history in Jamaican farming, Neil understands the value and tradition of farming to live.
In 2013, during the Jamaica Diaspora Conference, Neil met Diaspora from the US, UK and Canada who shared a common, heart-felt concern regarding the underutilized agricultural sector. In contrast to Tourism, which represents 60% of the Jamaican Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Agriculture only represents 6% of the economy. Together, the Diaspora organized to form Farm Up Jamaica Ltd. which would work to help safeguard job & food security in addition to reducing crime through large-scale cultivation of organic produce.
Alcides Curtis
CO-FOUNDER | DIRECTOR
Alcides is a retired Nursing Supervisor who has dedicated herself to giving back to Jamaica and its people. Born in Camaguey, Cuba and daughter to a tobacco & coffee farmer, Alcides has been a proactive fighter for civil rights. At the age of 8, Alcides and her family were forced to leave Cuba and relocate to Jamaica in order to escape political persecution. Although it was tough growing up in a foreign land, having to learn a new language, farming and selling the family’s crops was one of her enjoyments.
At 16, Alcides jumped at the opportunity to study nursing, abroad in England; a career she would love and embrace. Her humble beginnings growing up as a farmer’s daughter inspired her to believe that nothing is impossible. With this in mind, Alcides decided to return to Jamaica to inspire the people who have once inspired her.
Fay Curtis
SR. DIRECTOR OF
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
With 20 years in the NYC real estate business and a stellar reputation as the top agent at her firm, Fay bring to Farm Up Jamaica, her market expertise and vast international network. Known as the go-to broker in NYC for international buyers and renters, Fay works with customers from Germany, UK, South America, Canada, China, Japan, Africa, Mexico, Russia, etc.
Born in London, Fay has traveled extensively throughout the globe which has taught her to empathize and appreciate the unique cultures of other nations. A mentor to many agents over the years, Fay has built a premier team of professionals to exceed the expectations of their clientele. Fay’s achievements are the result of the trust and confidence she is able to build with her clients due to her persistent commitment to achieve their goals.
Harold Franco
DIRECTOR OF
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Harold has extensive international non-profit experience and knows how to work under pressure. With an in-depth knowledge of social interaction as a pastor and Non-Governmental Organizational management, Harold is also our Director of International Relations.
Harold experience includes a mission trip to Africa, Equatorial Guinea. In 2005, he organized a 2 week social interaction retreat. He has also served as Executive Director of the Board of Aid Santiago Fire Department from 1995 to 2000 which consisted of development & execution of a fundraising plan, training, and modernization of the Fire Department of Santiago, Dominican Republic. His worked impacted more than 600 people for over 5 years. Converting the Santiago Fire Department to the most modern and well-equipped in the Fire Department in the Caribbean.
Daihana Martinez
SECRETARY
RESEARCH DIRECTOR
Daihana recently made history as the first Hispanic Woman to be appointed Research & Development Director at the incorporated Village of Freeport, NY. During her employ as a government official, she strategically identified key ways to increase revenues and implemented routine check points to safeguard assets.
Daihana is currently the family estate Director and heirloom Manager in the Dominican Republic for her parents. Her agricultural interest and involvement developed through her continual participation in agricultural projects abroad. Daihana’s involvement in Farm Up Jamaica can be much attributed to her global interest in economic revitalization. As the former President of the Environmental Club in Nassau County, Long Island, she is an advocate and believer of the increasing demand for organic food across the globe. She has projected that through consistent and honest efforts, organic agriculture can help employ and feed many of the people in Jamaica. As Secretary and Research Director for Farm Up Jamaica, Daihana tracks important trends, agricultural technologies and develops strategies to help keep Farm Up Jamaica on track to meeting its goals to feed a nation sustainably.
Naala Royale
DIRECTOR OF
MARKETING
Naala was born in Jamaica and has lived in New York for over 25 years. After graduating from Stony Brook University, Naala delved into a 20 year marketing career working for a major food service company which operates in 42 countries. As VP of Marketing, she was responsible for all strategy development, brand innovation and sales growth. Amid her many accomplishments, her most personal & notable accomplishment was the development of a sustainable brand for Aramark named Green Thread. Green Thread promoted organic food and environmentally friendly operations.
While employed at Aramark, Naala pursued her dream to develop a restaurant reflective of her Jamaican roots. In 2004, she opened a Caribben restaurant, Dunns River Lounge. Though intended to be a hobby, with Naala’s marketing & branding expertise, the restaurant quickly became a successful full-time business which has now been in operation for over ten years.
Today, Naala serves on the Board of Farm Up Jamaica where she is able to leverage her marketing & branding expertise to help build awareness and raise funds for her home country.
Robert Clarke
DIRECTOR OF
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
Founder and CEO or Irie Jam Media Group, New York, Robert has spearheaded the company to becoming the most listened to Caribbean radio Station and organizer of some of Tri-State’s largest events. Robert brings his experience in Media to effectively carry out the message of Farm Up Jamaica
SPREAD THE WORD!
