The United Farmers Aruba Association (UFA) can proudly say they have lots of new members, a brand-new board, and exciting plans for the future. At the end of 2024 UFA held a general members’ meeting, during which some key decisions were made setting up the association on its way to a new chapter.
In the run-up to the meeting on November 20th, UFA launched a call for new members. The response was enthusiastic, with many new members joining. UFA now has 32 members. Members involved vary from traditional farmers and permaculture practitioners using food forest systems built with Syntropic Agroforestry Principles, to growers working with small and larger greenhouses, hydroponic systems, beekeepers, livestock farmers, and gourmet mushroom cultivators. This inspiring mix of expertise highlights UFA’s commitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing within the agricultural community.
The majority of members were present at the association’s last board meeting and actively participated. The meeting started with a motion to dismiss the outgoing board. Following this, a new board was elected:
- Diego Acevedo from Happyponics was elected as President.
- Rose Barros from Living Soil Aruba has taken on the dual roles of Vice-President and Secretary, contributing her expertise in syntropic agroforestry and community food forest projects.
- Rachell Peterson from FarmaCure Fungi, known for her gourmet mushroom cultivation, was elected as the third board member and is now fulfilling the role of Treasurer.
With three of five board positions now filled, there are still two spots open that can be appointed during the next general members’ meeting. This presents an opportunity for more individuals passionate about agriculture to step into a leadership role and help shape UFA’s direction.
Website Revamp. Along with these changes, UFA has also updated its website. The website is an important resource to keep the members informed. It now features new pages, such as a data bank and a ‘become a member’ page with detailed information on signing up. With the revamped website, UFA aims to facilitate both members and non-members and keep everyone up to date. Visit https://www.unitedfarmers.aw/ to explore the updates.
Looking Ahead to 2025. UFA is excited to build on the momentum from its last meeting and looks forward to its first general members’ meeting of 2025. This meeting is a valuable opportunity for members to come together, share their insights, and help shape the association’s future. UFA warmly invites anyone interested in supporting agriculture on the island to join the meeting—whether as a general member or by getting involved in the association’s activities.
The association’s diverse membership reflects the variety of agricultural practices on the island, and new voices are always welcome. By joining UFA, members gain access to shared resources, educational opportunities, and a platform to advocate for sustainable agriculture in Aruba.
