Julie Barmasai: Lecturer Who Quit Job, Found Success In Organic Farming

Julie Barmasai is the founder of Christened Garden Picks Produce, a local company that grows and sells organic produce.

As a part-time lecturer, the entrepreneur would be given 3 to 4 classes per week leaving her with a lot of free time.

Julie soon realized that she could make more money while practicing organic farming, and in 2018, she made the bold decision to quit her job.

Here is Julie’s story as told by WoK.

Background

Julie practices organic farming on a two-acre piece of land located Ngeria in Uasin Gishu County along the Eldoret-Nakuru highway.

At the farm, she has grown over 30 varied vegetables and herbs.

They include cucumber, sugarloaf cabbage, managu, amaranth or terere, broccoli, lettuce, thyme and basil.

Others are garlic, celery, parsley, cauliflower, courgette, beetroot, curly kale, cauliflower, pepper mint, normal mint, Indian spinach, lemon grass and fenugreek.

Before fully turning her focus on organic farming in 2018, she had been practicing conventional farming as a side hustle since 2014.

“For now, I want to concentrate on farming since it is a rewarding venture. My goal is to train more people to grow organic foods,” she said.

Julie who holds a Masters in Development Studies and a Bachelor of Communication and Public Relations from Daystar University also noted that she does not regret her decision to quit her job.

“I would be given three to four classes in a week which left me with plenty of time on my hands. Again, I was making little money since part-time lecturers are paid as per class taught,” she said.

Julie uses cow and sheep manure from their family farm on her crops, and she practices intercropping to attract bees and curb pests.

She also uses dried chillies or garlic water to spray her crops to control pests and diseases.

“…in most cases, organically grown crops develop their own defense system against pests and diseases, thus requiring fewer interventions,” Julie told Nation.

Having grown different varieties of crops in one space, Julie also engages in companion farming where crops that support each other are planted next to each other while those that are not compatible are planted far apart.

She sells her produce to groceries, households and retail shops within Eldoret town.

“There is a huge demand of organic produce in Eldoret. I sell mine to households, retail shops and groceries in the town and its environs

“I serve up to 15 households which consistently buy my various produce every month,” she said.

Julie has also partnered with other local organic farmers to hold an open air organic market as a space along the Eldoret-Kapsebet Road every weekend.