Jasmine Family Farm is owned and operated by Roy Nlemba, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A true polyglot, Roy speaks French, Russian, and English, and is learning Spanish. He lived briefly in Angola before moving to Russia, where he spent 10 years. As a refugee in Russia he lacked many opportunities. Roy happily moved to the United States in the early 2000s. He calls the U.S. “le pays de la liberte et des opportunites” – the country of freedom and opportunities.

Roy has worked hard to achieve his American Dream. He got started in the US by working contract construction jobs in over 25 states. In 2011, he found Plant It Forward and discovered his true vocation as a farmer. Roy feels fulfilled as a farmer, in part because he is continuing an important family tradition. His family had many acres of farmland in Africa, and farming in Houston makes him feel connected to that past. Because of his success as a farmer, Roy recently purchased a home in Richmond, where he lives with his wife and daughter.

You can purchase his produce through our Farm Share or directly from him if you catch him at his farm at PIF Montrose.