Abaco Neem

Abaco Neem was founded in early 1993 by proprietor Nick Miaoulis, a native Bahamian introduced to neem by Mr. John Conrick, the President of the neem Association at a botanical show in Gainesville, Florida. He then did further research on neem through the University of Florida. Initially Nick was interested in neem for its timber, thinking it could be beneficial to boat and home builders as neem is termite and worm resistant but as he learned about the tree's health benefits his vision became more personal and altruistic. He became attracted to the plant's ability to help control high blood pressure and diabetes, two diseases common in his family and prevalent in the Bahamas. Importing 8,000 seeds from India was the next step in making the Abaco Neem dream reality but Nick had little experience in farming as he was in the clothing business at that time, owning a very successful business. So he approached long-time Abaco farmer Albert Albury who was 79 years old at that time, asking for advice and instruction on how to work the land. At the time, Mr. Albury had little interest. He was 79 years old, had recently lost his wife of 50 years, and doubted he would live long enough to see any neem trees bear fruit. He also had painful debilitating arthritis. But when he gave Mr. Albury a young neem plant and encouraged him to take capsulated neem leaf for his arthritis, his attitude changed. Mr. Albury began teaching Nick about farming on Abaco and the 8,000 seeds were started in a nursery. In February of 1994, 120 acres of land near Casuarina Point, 13 miles south of Marsh Harbour, was acquired to establish the Abaco Neem farm. At that time there were 7500 trees and of the original 8,000, only 10% survived. Today there are 6,500 Neem trees on the Abaco Neem farm. Abaco Neem produces a range of products for the body, alternative preventative medicinal products, as well as home and garden and pet products. All of these are produced using our own organically grown neem, with our commitment to quality and environmentally friendly farming practices.