Leadership Cayman Class of 2026 Cultivates Community Impact at Newlands Farm Day
The Leadership Cayman (LC) Class of 2026 brought their Class Project to life with a hands-on Community Farm Collaboration Day at the Cayman Community Farm in Newlands, focusing on food security, sustainability and community connection, on Saturday 16 May.
In response to rising food costs and growing challenges around access to fresh, affordable produce, this year’s cohort centred their efforts on raising awareness of local agriculture and the importance of self-sufficiency. Their project aligned with the work of Cayman Community Farm, a backyard initiative launched in 2021 to provide free fresh produce to elderly and vulnerable residents across all three islands.
Working alongside Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE) Cayman and the National Children’s Voluntary Organisation (NCVO), the project combined practical learning with meaningful outreach. LIFE contributed literacy resources for students, while NCVO helped connect the initiative to families supported through its foster home and community pantry.
At the heart of the day was experiential learning. Students participated in interactive activities exploring sustainable farming, environmental responsibility and the journey from soil to table. For some, including students from Truth For Youth School who already maintain garden plots, the experience built on existing skills while demonstrating the potential of growing food on a larger, community scale.
The project also extended beyond the farm through an Island-Wide Harvest Initiative, encouraging the public to share and celebrate locally grown food and donate fresh produce to those in need.
Bringing together students, non-profits and community members, the initiative strengthened partnerships, supported local agriculture and contributed to greater food accessibility. For the LC 2026 cohort, it was a clear demonstration of leadership in action—helping to cultivate a more resilient and food-secure Cayman