OVERVIEW
St Kitts and Nevis is fast becoming a well known travel destination in the Caribbean, boasting more than a million visitors in 2019. Visit Riches of the Earth Organic Farm, located on the west side of St Kitts. Experience tranquility as you listen to the sounds of nature; birds chirping, roosters crowing, waves splashing against the rocks. Absorb the natural beauty of the luscious fertile mountains and the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Delight your palette to the joys of delicious and different tropical fruits such as sour sops, sugar apples, etc. Come experience nature in its purest form as you learn all about the best kept secret in the tropics!
Brief History of St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts has always been know for its fertile land. Around 1300 A.D., the Kalinago, or Carib people arrived on the islands. They named Saint Kitts Liamuiga meaning "fertile island", and Nevis Oualie meaning "land of beautiful waters".
The first Spanish explorers under Christopher Columbus led Saint Kitts to be named San Cristobal (Saint Christopher). Nevis was named "Nuestra Señora de las Nieves", or "Our Lady of the Snows", because of the wreath of white clouds that usually covers the top of its volcanic peak.
In 1623 Sir Thomas Warner, an English sea captain, decided that Saint Kitts would prove to be the best-suited site for an English colony, because of its strategic central position ideal for expansion, its friendly native population, fertile soil, abundant fresh water, and large salt deposits. He and his family landed on the island and in 1624, he established the colony of Saint Christopher, the first English colony in the Caribbean. They established a port town at Old Road on the west side of the island..
The British soon moved the island's capital to the town of Basseterre in 1727. Because of its rich fertile soil St Kitts quickly took off as a leader in sugar production in the Caribbean.
In 1778, Nevis opened its first hotel which was the first such establishment in the Western Hemisphere. The Bath Hotel was constructed over the site of one of the island's famous hot springs. The island thus became the first place in the Americas to officially practice tourism.
Because of St Kitts' strategic location and fertile soil, the vast Brimstone Hill Fortress was built to defend it. Standing 240m above sea level, it is a breathtaking complex, constructed in about 1690 by Africans. Once called the Gibraltar of the West Indies for its domination of 18th-century battles, Brimstone is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
Today the land in St Kitts is still very fertile and the sister island of Nevis continues to offer the refreshing and soothing hot springs and both islands retain beautiful crystal blue waters for you to enjoy!.
Helping Others
Drop a seed in St Kitts and a plant grows. Such is the fertile soil in this beautiful island. Learning to sustain a living from the soil has been imparted to over 200 youth, who have come to Riches of the Earth Organic farm to learn about agriculture without the use of chemicals. From 1st grade to high school, students experience the joy of the soil, using these skills to create small gardens at home. As agriculture has many different career paths, many students choose to further their education in agriculture to bring added benefits to the country!
As the demand to eat healthier foods grow, we chose to educate the public regarding the rewards of farming without chemicals. We strive to teach the public about the nutritional value of food versus the attractiveness of the crop. It is sometimes difficult for consumers to recognize truly healthy food because of imperfections on the surface of some chemical free crops.
We invite other groups to bring your youth and come learn the joy of organic farming, surrounded by natural beauty!
Enjoy the Natural Terrain
If camping or backpacking is for you, then you have come to the right place. Here is your chance to discover paradise in the Caribbean! We have set aside several locations within our farm as an ideal place to camp out.
During the heat of the day, you are free to experience the many cultural sites available on both St Kitts and Nevis. Backpackers will get a thrill from hiking up to both Mt Liamiaga in St Kitts and Nevis Peak in Nevis, as well as exploring the rain-forest and other majestic terrains.
For the more laid back camper, enjoy the cool shade from our tropical fruit trees while watching our free range colorful chickens fertilize the soil. Or go snorkeling in our rocky beaches on the west side of the island, or swimming in our beautiful sandy beaches on the other side of the country. Don't forget to take advantage of Nevis' hot springs, nature's healing waters and the beautiful beaches!
Back on the farm, we use fruits, vegetables and herbs to create our beverages which are designed to enhance the immune system, while at the same time allowing your palette to adapt to the exotic taste of our tropical produce. As organic farmers, we use fruits only grown on our farm and in season, unless frozen or dehydrated.
After spending a restorative visit to the Riches of the Earth Organic Farm in St Kitts and Nevis, you will surely feel tropically refreshed!
Contact us for further information.