Two teachers of Grades 4 and 5 along with over
30 students from the Kids Unlimited School visited the GARD Center and its
Hydroponics Unit on Wednesday, 4 March, 2020.
Mr. Ika Fergus, Extension Officer in the
Ministry of Agriculture delivered a presentation on Hydroponics, which was very
well received by the children. During this tour they were able to see
firsthand how lettuce is grown using this medium. They were also able to
receive a head of lettuce.
Thanks to Kids Unlimited School for being a
part of our campaign to spearhead the ‘Hydroponics movement’ under the
Sandals Foundation ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture Project Combating Effects of
Climate Change’ on the local Agricultural Sector.
Fourteen (14) young
persons have just completed a 10 week Climate Smart Agricultural Course at the
Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development (GARD) Center a program under the
Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas; in collaboration with its
donor partner Sandals Foundation Jamaica. In addition, the GARD Center received
technical assistance from CARDI, IICA and the Agricultural Extension Division
with trainers. The Ministry of Education also assisted with allowing some of
their School Farm Attendants to participate.
In this Century
when it is critical that all sectors strive to take action in protecting this
environment and reversing some of the damages that have occurred over the
years, Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) which promotes sustainable farming
practices is the way to go to increase resilience against droughts, torrential
rains and changing growing seasons. CSA is a management system that identifies
the risks created by climate change and poses solutions through best farming
practices.
With a special
focus on hydroponics, the trainees were guided through a wealth of subject
areas which included water conservation, integrated pest management, composting
and mulching, drip irrigation, constructing hydroponic units, use of ICT in
agriculture, business management, raising small ruminants in a CSA environment,
and many more areas including life skills.
The next set of
courses to be launched by the GARD Center/Sandals Foundation Jamaica
partnership includes Hydroponics for Women Backyard Gardeners and Solar Panel
Installation Assistant Technician. Other courses such as Tour Guiding, Office
Administration, Remarkable Hospitality/Customer Service, and ICT are also
starting soon.
ST.JOHN’S, Antigua, June 7, 2019—A six-member delegation from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda along with two representatives from civil society organisations attended the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Expanded Constituency Workshop for the Caribbean in St. Lucia from May 28-31, 2019.
Fifteen (15) school Farm Attendants from the Ministry of Education’s Agricultural Science Unit just recently completed a one week course in Hydroponics at the Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development (GARD) Center. This course is is a part of a wider Climate Smart Agricultural Project in partnership with the Sandals Foundation Jamaica and collaborative efforts from The Agricultural Extension Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, CARDI and IICA. The main objective is to empower youth to be aware of the contributions they can make in the agriculture sector for a better future, especially through the application of climate-smart practices in agriculture and combat climatic risks while enhancing livelihoods.
According to researchers the hydroponics technology works
well for Climate Smart Agriculture because of the water conservation and farm
integration advantages as well as being a potentially more sustainable method
of food production. It uses 90% less water and soil as compared to traditional
agricultural methods of production
These Farm Attendants learnt the fundamentals of
hydroponics, the various types of systems, production and management of crops
grown hydroponically and the actual construction of a demonstration unit. Mr. Ika Fergus, Extension Officer facilitated the sessions and will be
assisting the GARD Center along with CARDI
in conducting a number of other activities in the project i.e. a ten
week Climate Smart Agricultural course for youth, and an evening hydroponics course for women doing backyard gardening.
GARD Center 5th Annual Farm to Table Benefit Luncheon and Awards Ceremony recently concluded on Saturday April 6th, 2019 by all feedback was the best so far!!!
Farm to Table 2019 in its fifth year catered to approximately 300 guests who enjoyed a lovely sunny afternoon under the stately Willow trees and tasted the many creative local dishes produced by some of the top chefs in the country. Under the patronage of the Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams and the Premier Sponsors, James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation; L A Development Company Ltd, Chefs from Goddard Catering Group (Antigua) Ltd, Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, Oetker Collection (Jumby Bay Hotel), Galley Bay Antigua, Trade Winds Hotel, Curtain Bluff Resort, and Flavas Restaurant & Bar along with Agricultural producers came together to produce an amazing buffet style luncheon. Patrons were greeted with souvenir/tokens and welcome drinks.
GARD Center wishes to sincerely thank its faithful
Patrons and Clientele who continue to support our fundraising efforts as we
endeavour to fulfill our mandate; “Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the
feeble knees” Isaiah 35:3
Front (l): Makalsia Shepherd (GARD Center), Ms. Jose Laurent (Diretor of Legal Aid), Mrs. Joycelyn Humphreys (Project Manager, GARD Center), Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel-Edwards (Chair of Child Justice Board) and Ms. Janice Michael (Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Legal Affairs)
In 2017 The GARD Center was awarded a grant from the European Union to train 240 At-Risk youth to include non-incarcerated and incarcerated in vocational skills. Our project was approved under the title “Improving Opportunities for At-Risk, Probationary and Incarcerated youth in Antigua and Barbuda.”
Back (l): Ms. Hildred Simpson (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of legal Affairs), Ms. Yvonne Ambrose (Rep. Community Development), Mr. Roland Moore (Crown Counsel, Legal Aid)
Within this Action, the Center was engaged to increase awareness within communities and initiate community led advocacy on behalf of youth impacted by crime and incarceration. One such component of this project was to produce fact sheets and brochures with pertinent information from the Child Justice laws of 2015 in a user-friendly language for everyone to understand. These brochures have been designed to provide a service to parents and families whose youth are involved in the justice system and to steer them in the right direction.
Your Child and the Law Part 1 with Key facts you should know if your child is in conflict with the law. Your Child and the Law Part 2 with information on Court proceedings, Offences, Detention and Rights of the Child, and Part 3 contains information on Agencies that Parents and Children can turn to before, during and after a child commits an offence. Copies of these were presented to Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel- Edwards, Chair of the Child Justice Board and Ms. Jose Laurent, Director of Legal Aid for distribution to the public.
The GARD Center’s project entitled, ”Improving Opportunities for At- Risk, Probationary and Incarcerated Youth in Antigua and Barbuda,” sponsored by the European Commission under the theme “Civil Society Organizations: Enhancing CSO’s contribution to government processes in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, celebrated its final graduation ceremony on February 19, 2019 at the Methodist Church Hall, at 4:00 p.m. with a total of 98 graduates. This project facilitated access to positive youth development and employability through training over a period from March 2017 – February 2019.
Graduates were trained in Office Administration, Customer Service, Professional Hospitality Service, Basic Baking and Decorating, Professional Bar and Beverage Service, Information Communication Technology, Solar Panel Assistant Technician and Carpentry. Each Course had a component of remedial Math and English, Life Skills and Information Technology. Our partnership with key agencies included Ministry of Social Transformation Community Development Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Second Chance, Legal Affairs, and Her Majesty’s Prison. During the two years of the project, seven inmates successfully completed and graduated under the prison programme.
At the end of the two year project, 243 trainees completed training. Six are awaiting internship placements and 130 have gained employment. In addition, graduating from another project sponsored by our Australia Embassy and Mill Reef Fund partners, fifteen (15) Beginner Beekeepers received certificates.
With these youth ready to explore various avenues of work and entrepreneurship, the prospects of this Nation of Antigua and Barbuda are in good hands. We congratulate the graduates and wish them every success in their future endeavors.
