Final preparations are underway for this month’s “Unconference on Agriculture,” an initiative led by Saint Lucian nonprofit, Helen’s Daughters.
Set for August 23–24 at Project Chocolat in Soufrière, the event is being framed as a fresh approach to how agricultural dialogue and collaboration take shape in the region.
The event’s title, “Unconference”, signals a deliberate departure from traditional conference formats. According to Executive Director Keithlin Caroo-Arfrifa, the idea emerged following her visit to France’s Salon d’Agriculture in 2023, where she observed a dynamic gathering of farmers, chefs, winemakers, policymakers, and the public in one space.
That experience, she says, inspired a vision for a more accessible and people-focused agricultural event in the Caribbean.
“We call it an ‘Unconference’ because it’s not business as usual. It’s hands-on, farmer-focused, and rooted in creating practical solutions for our region’s agriculture,” Caroo-Arfrifa told St Lucia Times.
The agenda features sessions on financial literacy, animal husbandry, cocoa production and agriculture-related business planning, as well as discussions on topics such as food and wellness, emerging markets, and the role of agriculture in climate adaptation. In addition to panels and workshops, the event will include informal “balcony chats”, speed networking, cooking demos, and a petting zoo.
Among the participating organisations are IICA, LUCELEC, WASCO, the Regulated Substances Authority, the French Embassy, and the World University Service of Canada, alongside business-focused entities such as the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards, and Invest Saint Lucia. Other contributors include NIC, Massy Stores, Energyze, and the Caribbean Climate Justice Project.
“Our goal is to break down the silos that have held our agricultural sector back,” said Caroo-Arfrifa. “The Unconference is about building an ecosystem where farmers, agencies, and innovators work side by side.”
The event is open to the public and is free of charge. Registration is available at https://helensdaughters.org/.
