Ephraim Elijah Roberts, a 29-year-old farmer from Castle Bruce, has been named the recipient of the OECS Young Farmer Award in recognition of his modern, diversified agricultural enterprise and his efforts to draw a new generation into the sector. Roberts accepted the honour during the OECS Youth and Women in Agriculture Symposium in Grenada on Thursday, September 3.
Roberts has built his enterprise around the principle that diversification creates resilience. He raises goats, sheep, cattle, ducks and guinea pigs while cultivating root crops, fruit crops and fast-turnaround cash crops. He has also added beekeeping to the operation, supporting pollination and crop productivity while producing honey as an additional high-value product.
His involvement in agriculture began early and continued through his school years. He served as president of his primary school's 4-H Club and was an active member of his community's Scout Troop. At secondary school, his aptitude for the subject earned him an award for outstanding achievement in Agricultural Science. He later completed an Associate Degree in Agricultural Science and remains active in the sector as a member of the National Association of Youth in Agriculture (NAYA), which promotes greater youth participation and leadership in farming.
Beyond his own production, Roberts works as an educator to change how young people view agriculture. He introduces students to climate-smart and modern farming practices and encourages them to see the sector as a viable, technology-driven, sustainable and profitable career option. His stated vision is to inspire more young people to choose agriculture, strengthen food security, create economic opportunities and contribute to the sustainable development of communities and countries.
The Government of Dominica has congratulated Roberts on the achievement, commending his dedication to agriculture, youth development and national food security. His recognition follows a period of renewed regional attention on young farmers, with Dominica also seeing Dywany St. John named CARICOM Young Farmer of the Year 2026, marking a strong showing for the island's emerging agricultural leaders on the regional stage.
