OUR STORY
A love of the land, appreciation for what it provides and the importance of nurturing it in return were lessons instilled in Lamis Jawhari from a young age. Growing up, she spent every summer with her grandfather in the mountains of Lebanon, observing him meticulously tend to his farm, produce beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables and enjoy the land’s therapeutic benefits.
Agriculture was a passion that trickled down through the family, so when a piece of land was passed on to Lamis many years later, she decided to use it to honor her grandfather’s legacy and the land itself by transforming it into a cutting-edge, many-layered farm.
Farmboise was born under the Ard Jeddeh initiative - an agricultural project with quality, education, sustainability and community at its heart, producing berry varieties from all over the world in the fertile mountains of Lebanon. By partnering with sustainable agriculture experts from the American University of Beirut, Lamis and an ambitious group of farmers were able to transform the land into a fully functioning bio-farm where tradition meets innovation.
OUR PRODUCT
Berries are one of the most sought-after superfoods in the world, boasting countless health benefits as well as fabulous flavors. Thanks to the technical expertise of the ESDU, unique mountain climate and fertile Lebanese land, Farmboise produces the widest variety of quality berries in the region – from raspberries, cranberries and redcurrants to wineberries and everything in between.
Many of Farmboise’s breeds have been specially imported from expert berry breeders in Italy and beyond and are being grown in Lebanon for the first time. Selected for their superior quality and nutritional benefits, introducing these unusual varieties is another way of investing in the land and expanding its output for the benefit of the local community.
Local restaurants, bakeries, hotels and pastry stores would usually have to import most of their niche produce including raspberries. Farmboise now offers locally grown, high quality berries that are picked and delivered on the same day. This way, the freshness and flavor are unparalleled – not to mention the precious air miles saved. Beyond its signature punnets of berries, Farmboise will soon partner with local brands to create berry infused jams, ice creams and other artisanal products – all of which will be available to enjoy at a curated selection of hotels and restaurants, and to purchase at pop-up markets.
OUR MISSION
Farmboise is so much more than a state-of-the-art berry farm - it’s an agricultural project dedicated to sustainability, community and education.
Run entirely by local villagers, Farmboise offers sustainable employment and benefits for the people of the hard-hit region as well as making a positive contribution to the community. The American University of Beirut’s technical team trains Farmboise’s farmers with all things pruning, harvesting and modern technology, while the villagers bring their age-old skillsets, traditions and tricks that they have learnt over time. The sharing of knowledge goes both ways – as it should.
Thanks to a partnership with AUB, Farmboise also acts as an educational center providing learning and research facilities for its staff, a number of national organizations and soon the general public too.
Perched high up in the Lebanese mountains, with its striking architecture and beautiful landscape, Farmboise is also a bio-tourism destination in itself for environmental enthusiasts to discover and enjoy. Stay tuned for a packed roster of activities including berry picking, walking tours and events that will kick off next year.
OUR VISION
Farmboise has big dreams, but it also has the dedication and passion to bring them to life. Over the next few years, the brand is set to expand its bio-tourism offering and invest in tomato, olive and avocado farms - continuing its dedication to supporting local communities and creating employment opportunities, as well as providing agricultural awareness and excellent organic produce.
