Seven-year-old Dathon Neil is from a family of farmers. His great-grandfather and grandfather were both master farmers in St. Mary, where they raised chickens and cattle and grew a wide variety of food crops, while his father and uncle—Linton and Glendon Neil (identical twins and perfectly matched even in their voices)—are both agronomists and run their own plant nurseries.
Dathon’s mother, Elaine, has a niche in succulents, but these days she focuses more on teaching her two sons the business of gardening. Both children are now firmly established in a venture they started two years ago, supplying seedlings to two well-established plant stores in St. Catherine and Kingston, but it is the younger boy, Dathon, who is currently showing the most interest in expanding the enterprise.
“I want to be a farmer,” he responded confidently when questioned about his career choice. “I’m going to build a three-storey house one day. Mommy and Daddy will live downstairs, my children on the top floor, and my wife and I will be on the second floor!” Given his current pace, this dream does not seem far-fetched at all.
The upcoming master farmer explained that in mid-December 2025, his dad gave him some seedlings to plant: “It was about 15 tomatoes, 30 corns, a few pak choy, and many, many callaloo!” his voice trailed away. “My brother, Apple J, and I are used to planting, so it was easy to get the seedlings into the ground, but I needed help watering.”
Two months later, with the garden beds covered with mulch, everywhere you look, there is something to be eaten: huge fruiting tomato plants that tower above little Dathon are anchored to strong pieces of wire mesh. The corn stalks are planted two per hole and are withstanding the pressure of the 2-3 corn cobs they bear, and it’s hard to keep up with the growth of the callaloo.
Mother Elaine is adamant that she won’t be the middleman in the business. “I definitely won’t be selling anything when Dathon’s not at home,” she said. “We bought them a scale, and they already know how to read it! Dathon is gonna be responsible for picking the tomatoes, and his dad is already showing him how to know when the corn is ready. He understands how to cut the callaloo so they can quickly spring back, and he knows how to count money.” She laughed. “He and his brother definitely know how to count money!” she emphasised.
What’s the budding entrepreneur with the quiet demeanour thinking of pursuing next?
“I’d like to teach other children how to plant,” he beamed. “So, I’m going to ask my teacher if I can take some cups and soil to school, along with some seeds, and show my classmates what to do.”
Would you love to be in class that day? Reach out to us at freedomcomerain@gmail.com, and we’ll get you registered!
“Like father, like son” – Linton and Dathon Neil in a tomato tutorial.
Checking on the tomatoes
“Like two peas in a pod—plant your corn two grains in one hole!” advises Daddy Neil.