Nicola Shirley-Phillips is all about sustainability and helping people reconnect with the earth. She’s a Permaculture and Regenerative/Organic Agriculture Consultant, and a specialist in Community Economic Development.

Nicola has her hands in many projects. At The Source Farm Ecovillage, she helped build an intentional community using innovative Permaculture methods. Through her work with the Jamaica Sustainable Farm Enterprise for USAID, she’s been working alongside farmers across Jamaica, promoting organic farming and creating strong, resilient food systems.

She’s also behind the Ujima Natural Farmers Market, which is Jamaica’s go-to spot for organic produce. Nicola launched the JENESYS Soil Fertility Project, in partnership with the Jamaican government, to focus on restoring soil health using regenerative practices.

As a founding director of the GWG Organic Research Station, an International Botanical Sanctuary, she oversees conservation projects like The People’s Seed, Jamaica’s first heritage seed bank. She’s also collaborating with the University of the West Indies (UWI) on studying Indigenous Plant Medicines, and is working on establishing a fungarium for DNA research on local mushrooms.

With a Master’s in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University, Nicola is now pursuing a PhD in Agricultural Public Policy at Tuskegee University. Through all her work, she’s passionate about ecological stewardship and building sustainable communities for future generations.