What does it take to plant new roots on foreign soil—literally? In this global episode of Compost, Cotton & Cornrows, Dominique Drakeford speaks with Franklyn Hutchinson, a Trinidadian grape farmer living in Yamanashi, Japan. Without formal training, Franklyn carved his way into one of the world’s most meticulous agricultural markets—learning from local elders, YouTube, and an unwavering commitment to self-sufficiency.

Together, they explore the science, sweat, and spirit behind Japanese grape cultivation, the myth that growing food is only for the poor, and how small-scale community gardening can spark major shifts in food justice. Franklyn reminds us that sustainability isn’t just about solar panels and policy—it’s about how we manage what we already have. Soil. Skill. Space. Intention.

From makeshift trellises to dreams of bringing high-quality grapes back to Trinidad, this episode is a testament to ancestral grit, diasporic determination, and the power of growing for yourself, your people, and your future.

Tap in if you're ready to:

• Rethink sustainability beyond trend
• Get inspired to grow your own food (yes, even in a container!)
• Hear a rare story of Caribbean diasporic farming in East Asia
• Honor farming as both science and sacred art

Key gems from Franklyn:

“It’s not good to turn down an opportunity to learn something. It could help you later in life.”
“Some people think only poor people grow food. But that thinking is why food so damn expensive.”
“Even if it’s just 1% of what you eat—grow something. That’s sustainability.”

@rosy_grapes-yamanashi

Compost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!

@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows