Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Burtland Bates (left), coffee processing supervisor at Baron Hall Estate, shows clients how a coffee bean look when it is ripe and ready to be harvested, during the 65th anniversary luncheon and farm tour held at Baron Hall Estate in St. Ann last Wednesday. Among those who celebrated with JSP were Gene Chung, Damion Tuner, Pamella Grant, Lennie Moulton, Ralph Pearce, Nadine Moulton, Judy-Ann Motta, Burtland Bates, Karl Blythe, Lamar Spencer, Vanessa Williams, Alice Simpson, Dorothy Bailey and Annette Salmon.

Sixty-five years ago in the parish of Manchester saw the birth of Jamaica Standard Products, to Leslie Minott. Then the company operated primarily through trading; today, it has evolved into an established coffee company with John O. Minott Jr. at the helm.

At their 65th anniversary luncheon and farm tour held at Baron Hall Estate in St. Ann on Wednesday, Mr. Minott gave a brief statement of the company's progress over the past years. He also spoke briefly on the effects of Hurricane Dean on the farm.

"We had an estimated 35 per cent damage to our Blue Mountain farm and Baron Hall Estate suffered less damage with about eight to 10 per cent damage," said Mr. Minott. He added that though they are faced with many challenges, they would still push ahead.

He noted that he appreciated the support of customers and said that their products may not be the cheapest but they take pride in offering excellent quality.

Burtland Bates demonstrates how a rake is used to turn the coffee beans on the barbecue so that they can be dried and processed.

Owner of Jamaica Standard Product, John O. Minott (left), tells Karl Blythe, manger of Bank of Nova Scotia in Mandeville, a bit about the coffee business.- Photos by Oliver Wright