Farming

Down on the farm

For of all gainful professions, nothing is better, nothing more pleasing, nothing more delightful, nothing better becomes a well-bred man than agriculture.{d}

What is farmed here?

Pretty-much what you would expect, if you understand our climate.

The following are the principal animals farmed on St Helena (in alphabetic order):

Crops are also largely as expected - all the usual British items except those that require a frost (e.g. Brussels Sprouts), plus a number of temperate and tropical climate items, such as avocados and mangos, with bananas being a particular specialty{1} . The image below was taken at the 2025 Agricultural Show and illustrates a lot of what is grown here:

Plus there are edible plants that just grow here without any need for assistance, which we discuss on our page Edible Wild Plants. PLEASE NOTE: Should it be of interest, Cannabis grows wild here…

Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens.{e}

Principal Areas

The principal areas for farming are (in alphabetic order):

• Blue Hill

• Levelwood

• Longwood

• Sandy Bay

• St Pauls

In the other districts, Alarm Forest and Half Tree Hollow are largely residential and Jamestown (district) comprises Jamestown itself (with strong restrictions on the keeping of livestock and little land for growing crops) and the less accessible areas to the north.

Farming history

We know from the Records that there were occasional people living here even before the island was settled in 1659. Fernão Lopez is the best known, but there were also the five enslaved people who later multiplied to 20, and others, all of whom must have practiced some form of agriculture on the island.

Initially, The Governor of St Helena lived in Jamestown, as did most other people, and what we now know as Castle Gardens (right next to The Castle) was known as the ‘Governor’s Garden’, but as the island was explored food production moved away from the relatively arid climate in Jamestown to the more fertile up-country areas. Plantation House, initially the Governor’s summer residence, was built (and named after) the new up-country plantation area.

Longwood, because if its wetter climate, was also developed early for crop growing, and has remained so to this day. Blue Hill and Levelwood were more remote and were therefore more agricultural, as Blue Hill remains today.

The early Records feature some interesting items related to farming and agriculture, illustrating that times were sometimes hard but people persisted{2}:

Improving Agriculture was a key concern of many early Govenors. Beatson’s ‘Tracts relative to the Island of St Helena’, published in 1816, devotes its first 200 pages to proposed improvements to the island’s agriculture and animal husbandry.

As global communications improved not all food consumed here was produced locally. Food for the (large) party accompanying Napoleon was a logistical problem, relying on some strengthening of local farming plus a lot of imports (notably Champagne☺) from Europe. By the time the Boer PoWs arrived, nearly 100 years later, South Africa was much more developed and a far better source of food supplies, as it remains today.

At the beginning of the 20th Century the Colonial Administrators became concerned that the quantity of imported food was higher than was expected (thus increasing the cost of feeding the island). Initially they commissioned ‘Present Position and Prospects of the Agricultural Resources of the Island of St HelenaⒾ’ by D. Morris, Director of Public Gardens and Plantations, Jamaica, who recommended that …an intelligent and competent gardener be sent to the island to take up the entire question of the revival of agricultural pursuits. Clearly he was not impressed by the efforts of the people who had been farming the island for nearly 250 years! Whether this was done and (if it was) what effect it had is not clear, but 15 years later they commissioned A.W. Mason to write another report on local agriculture, again with recommendations on how it could be improved. Although the report had some useful ideas, it seems Mr Mason decided that the local farmers (and, indeed, the whole population) were badly organised (With few exceptions the management of the farms leaves something to be desired) and lazy (self-reliance and initiative are - with a few exceptions - to a great degree lacking), and that this was the cause of all the difficulties. You can read the Mason Report 1921Ⓘ.

Although most agricultural activity had long since moved up-country, Maldivia Gardens was for many years an important producer of fruits and vegetables for Jamestown, though no longer so. also, The Briars is so-named because it was originally the location of a ‘Silk Farm’, and the area became overgrown after production ceased.

Agriculture remained and remains an important part of island life. When the island’s new Secondary School commenced operations the Harper’s Agricultural Centre, to provide agricultural training in association with the new school, was opened in November 1988 by Governor Robert Stimson.

In the 2021 Census around 10% of the workforce was engaged in agricultural activities.

A lot of the island’s earlier industries were agriculturally-related. See Industries.

Agricultural Shows

Below: Genesis 2025 Show

Genesis

We believe the first island-wide Agricultural Shows - then known as agricultural fairs and ploughing matches, were instigated by Governor Alexander Walker{3}. We also know that an Agricultural and Horticultural Society was formed in 1845, though it was not the first such society, as illustrated by this from the Records:

(We suspect that much alcohol was normally consumed during dinner and Governor Dallas was concerned for the quality of decision making…☺)

There were both inter-District and intra-District competitions. The St Helena Wirebird{6} for October 1956 announces the Longwood District Agricultural Show at Longwood School.

Interestingly, the programme for the Agricultural Show to mark the island’ Tercentenary featured a ‘Donkey Derby’ (Is your donkey in good training?) - let’s hope only ridden by small children.

Agricultural Shows often accompanied other events, such as the festivals and celebrations held on Francis Plain e.g. for V.E. Day, in 1945. There were shows at the St Helena’s Day celebrations, for example in 1980, and one in 1989 (Radio St Helena broadcast live from it). A major Agricultural Show was held when HRH Princess Anne visited in 2002 (The Princess was much impressed by the local produce and arts and crafts on display.). We think this may have been the last show until the one in November 2025.

2025 Show

In 2005 it was decided to reintroduce the agricultural show and, like the shows of old, it would be an inter-District competition. Afterwards, the Office of the Governor reported that:

St Helena’s agricultural fair this weekend was a fantastic celebration of local produce and craftsmanship! Each district shone with unique stalls, and the life-size bamboo Jonathan the tortoise was a highlight. Huge thanks to everyone who participated and made it a success!

Here is a more detailed report and a collection of photographs{c}{f}:

What a successful St Helena’s 2025 St Helena Agricultural Show Day! Well done all.

What great community spirit! This was something that was first thought would not be possible, but thanks to the hard work of the organisers and district reps, their immense efforts made it an overwhelming success.

The show was opened with a powerful opening address, delivered by the island’s Culture Champion, Councillor Dennis Leo.

Denny framed the event as a tribute to the hard work that binds us together and a reminder of the community’s deep-rooted connection to the soil.

The speech highlighted the long history of agriculture on the island, tracing it back to the first known inhabitant, Fernando Lopez, who planted fruit trees and tended livestock centuries ago. This legacy was further reflected in the early 1800s by Governor Alexander Walker, who introduced the first agricultural fairs to build pride and self-reliance.

Denny emphasised that the show celebrates more than just farming. It honours the resilience of the island’s identity, which has weathered drought, storms, and shortages. The event recognises everyone who contributes, from farmers and animal raisers to backyard gardeners, bakers, and artisans.

It isn’t just about food. It’s about culture, connection, and community. Each seed we plant carries our history. Each animal we rear carries our hope.

A key message was directed at the island’s youth, who were called the future caretakers of this land. Denny stressed that agriculture is vital to their future, holding opportunities for innovation, conservation, and new creative ideas.

After thanking the organisers, volunteers, sponsors, and exhibitors, the show was officially declared open. The event invites all to celebrate the love, patience, and community that defines St Helena.

The event was not only witnessed by local viewers on the Island but also streamed live on Facebook™, thanks to Derek Richards, Island Images.

{g}

Non-Agricultural Farms

The term ‘Farm’ is also often applied to other locations, for example:

• The Bulk Fuel Farm in Ruperts: a collection of tanks containing petrol, diesel and (since the construction of the Airport) Aviation Fuel.

• The Solar Farm in Half Tree Hollow: an array of solar panels positioned in an area where cloud cover is normally minimal.

• The Wind Farm on Deadwood Plain, where the Wind Turbines are located.

Read More

Article: Agricultural Show well on the way

Issued by the Public Relations/Information Office 4th November 2002

The Agricultural Show 2002 is nearly here. On Saturday 16th November the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department is hoping for sunny skies and a large crowd at Francis Plain. This will be another big event in St Helena’s Q5 year.

The show is well on the way and the momentum is building up, said Vincent March, Agricultural Development Officer. He added: People are taking an interest and there has been response in all exhibit areas. They are to be congratulated for this. He feels that it is the participants who will make the day and is pleased that St Helenians are going to show off with their produce and animals. Vincent is responsible for organising this much talked about event along with other members of the Agricultural Show Working Committee.

There has been quite a lot of interest to enter animals as well as district stalls, which will include various exhibits from crafts to confectionary and vegetables to eggs. In addition, the Department has also received expressions of interest from members of the public to sell food on the day and a number of other activities will take place to entertain the public.

Vincent said that the A&NR personnel are feeling very positive about the event and some of their employees are now in the process of constructing pens and stalls on Francis Plain. Besides making an entertaining day for all who decide to attend, the overall purpose of the show is to promote the Island’s livestock and local produce. The planning and preparation has stimulated both teamwork and interest in the community as districts compile items for their stalls and decide on which animals should be entered. Out of the six stalls that have entered, only one will walk away with the Q5 District Agricultural Shield although there will be other prizes to be won.