Marshal Damiana (1988) spends his days overlooking Curaçao’s oil refinery, his former workplace. The chimneys have been idle for years. Now, on a hill in the Buena Vista neighborhood — literally meaning ‘beautiful view’ — he grows lettuce on a courtyard behind his father-in-law’s office.
In 2022, in the heart of this residential area, D’Farm began with five tables made from recycled pallet wood. Gradually, Marshal transferred his lettuce seedlings from his grandfather’s garden to Buena Vista. Fast forward two years, and the courtyard is a lush green haven filled with lettuce on 34 tables.
Text: Eva Breukink
Photography: Studiorootz | Berber van Beek
Marshal and his wife lead a team of four full-time and seven part-time workers. He knows the value each member brings. It’s a true team effort, requiring dedication and focus, starting every morning at the planning board with tangible energy and enthusiasm.
Through their group chat, the team is informed of orders from supermarkets, minimarkets, restaurants, and hotels. They begin the day harvesting—the lettuce is at its freshest early in the morning. After packing, the produce is loaded into two delivery vans and distributed along an efficient route. Following the lunch break, attention turns to plant care and other tasks. Imperfect leaves are sent to a chicken farmer, while used seed trays are washed and reused.
“We only harvest what has been ordered. Nothing goes to waste. Orders are delivered the same morning they’re harvested. It doesn’t get fresher than that.”
The hydroponic system operates smoothly, but the plants demand constant care. The period from May to October in 2022 and 2023 was exceptionally hot, reducing the harvest by half compared to the rest of the year. Marshal learned from his mistakes and now knows how to manage the heat, a strategy he keeps to himself. However, he emphasizes that overcoming challenges requires dedication and perseverance.
Marshal expects the same commitment from his team. Whenever there’s downtime, it’s inspection time. Are there leaks? How do the leaves look? Regular rounds help identify problems early, such as leaks, emerging weeds, or pests, which can be addressed with biological treatments.
Marshal trains his team to solve problems independently, allowing him to focus on the business’s growth. With field lettuce thriving on the 34 tables, he’s branching out into parsley cultivation and setting up a new project in Bándariba with eight additional tables.
Marshal’s journey began while working as an instrumental mechanic at Refineria Isla. His brother introduced him to aquaponics—a method of growing vegetables in water with fish. Skeptical yet intrigued by the technical system of pipes and pumps, Marshal decided to try it.
“My brother planted the seed for D’Farm. I nurtured it, and now it’s a strong tree.”
Marshal and his brother set up an aquaponics system in their grandfather’s backyard in Groot Kwartier. With no prior experience, they faced countless setbacks—fish died, plants succumbed to pests, and worse, fish ended up in the wrong tanks, nibbling on plant roots.
The system failed. In early 2020, during his final months at Refineria Isla, Marshal took an online course in hydroponics. He learned how to grow vegetables in water, using nutrients instead of soil. Unlike aquaponics, this method doesn’t involve fish, and it worked. His lettuce flourished, and his first harvest sold out quickly. Marshal knew he wanted to expand.
“When you start something new, mistakes are inevitable. That’s part of the learning process. Don’t give up—push through.”
Every penny Marshal and his wife could spare was reinvested into improving and expanding the hydroponic system. They sold their cars, motorbikes, and scooters, and their sparsely furnished home became a testament to their sacrifices. Even Marshal’s severance pay from Refineria Isla went straight into the business.
To make a living from lettuce farming, production had to increase. They started with three tables in his grandfather’s garden, expanded to five, then ten, and eventually rented land in Bándabou for another ten tables. The hard work paid off, and relocating D’Farm to a central location in Buena Vista brought much-needed stability.
Marshal’s time at Refineria Isla offered security and a carefree lifestyle. Losing his job in early 2020 was a turning point, revealing his resilience and determination.
“I’m a completely different person now. I have discipline and don’t give up easily. Those qualities are essential for successful farming. Problems will arise—it’s unavoidable. But now I face challenges head-on and find solutions. Every setback is an opportunity for growth.”
Marshal’s confidence grew as he navigated the challenges of farming. His staff proudly wear T-shirts printed with “Optimus Agricola” (Latin for “The Best Farmer”), a title Marshal feels they’ve earned. By 2024, they successfully managed the hot season, maintaining high yields and top-quality lettuce.
“After five years of hard work, investments, and sacrifices, we’ve got it under control. We wear that title with pride!”
This campaign is co-financed by the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO).
