Dr Bravo Brown is a picture of joy on his pepper farm in Quincy, Florida.
When Dr Bravo Brown first put seed to soil on a modest half-acre plot, he had no idea how far it would grow. Today, that humble beginning has expanded into 20 thriving acres of scotch bonnet peppers, habaneros and pumpkins at his BGB Farms Inc facility in Quincy, Florida— a flourishing business made possible by the support of one man.
Dr Brown, who grew up in Trelawny, Jamaica, attributes much of his success to Carol Hopkins, a seasoned farmer and landowner in the United States who saw potential in Brown and presented him with an opportunity to grow his business.
“What I am doing here now would not have been possible without the assistance of Mr Carol Hopkins. He owns this land and he owns many more properties. When I started out in 2014, I had half an acre of land. And when I approached him, he assisted me with two acres. When it was harvest time and we harvest and everything, and I got some money, I went to Mr Carol and I said, ‘how much do I owe you?’ and he said to me, ‘treat me as a man should be treated,” Dr Brown shared.
“And that is the understanding and agreement that we have until today. We never sign a contract. We never do anything,” he continued.
That simple act of kindness changed Dr Brown’s life — and shaped his philosophy.
Dr Bravo Brown inspects the scotch bonnet pepper trees on his farm.
“To see somebody who I didn’t really know assist me that much, I try to offer assistance to other people whenever I can. And I always encourage people, do this or try to do that. You may not do it as much as I do, but try stuff and assist others. So somebody afforded me that responsibility and I’m able to pass it on,” Dr Brown explained.
Even as his business has grown into a primary source of high-quality peppers in the United States, the farmer has remained grounded in generosity. Every year, he mails between 200 and 300 pounds of peppers, free of charge, to friends, family and others.
“They will say, ‘Bravo, I need some pepper’, and I just send it. And they say, ‘should I Zelle the money?’ and I say, ‘don’t worry yourself,” he said.
The 54-year-old farmer recalled an earlier memory when a woman visited his farm asking for scotch bonnet peppers.
“I said take up whatever peppers you want and then she said, ‘how much is it?’ and I said, ‘remember me in your prayers’. Because, you know, you just give and don’t look for anything in return. And that prayer that you ask for and that prayer that you get is more important than anything else. Trust me,” Dr Brown said.
Scotch bonnet pepper trees at Jamaican-owned BGB Farms Inc in Quincy, Florida.
His generosity does not stop at the borders of his US farm. In his hometown of Duanvale, Trelawny, he is known for his quiet but impactful contributions to the community. From installing water tanks to supporting back-to-school initiatives, Dr Brown has made a name for himself not just as a farmer, but as a community builder.
“I assist in whatever way, whether it be giving back to the school or back-to-school. I have done direct water tanks, I’ve made personal contributions and whatever is there, I try to assist,” he shared.
In October 2024, Dr Brown was formally recognised with a Parish Award from the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, honouring his invaluable contribution to the parish.
“It is very important. I like giving. Sometimes, probably, I give too much. Because, for example, on my little farm in Trelawny, I have like a block of coconut trees that I probably could be making thousands of dollars, and I always say to the guys there, these trees are for family and friends. Never sell it. Just give. If somebody needs something, you just do stuff like that. I just like to give,” he said, adding that his advice to people in pursuing their passions is to “Be focused. Be loyal. And have gratitude.”
Dr Bravo Brown was presented with a Parish Award from the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, honouring his invaluable contribution to the parish.