The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) has been blessed with sponsorship from the James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation, for its 2nd Annual, and major fundraiser event.
This year’s event will be held under the patronage of His Excellency, Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams.
The Handover Ceremony was held in the recently constructed training facility which was donated by the People of Japan, at the GARD Center, Agro-heritage Center, on Thursday, 3 March 2016, 3:30pm.
The brief Ceremony was opened in Prayer by Rev. Patmore Henry, Secretary to the Methodist Conference. The Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Colin C. James CEO, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.
Remarks were offered by Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director, GARD Center, as well as by Ambassador Casroy James and Mr. Kirthley Maginley, Directors of the James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation.
Remarks were also offered by Ms. Shirlene Nibbs, Consultant to the Ministry of Tourism, in the absence of Hon. Asot Michael, Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy.
Unveiling of the Poster, which signaled the launch of the 2nd Annual Farm-to-Table Event was Mrs. Ann Jonas, Private Secretary to His Excellency, Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams.
The James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation is a non-profit charity, established in January, 2016. Its founders are Ambassador Casroy James and Mr. Kirthley Maginley, co-principals of James and Maginley Ltd.
The primary mission of the James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation is to improve the lives and well-being of the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, particularly, those most vulnerable.
Category Archives: Agriculture
Japanese Completion Ceremony
On the afternoon of Wednesday, 17 February 2016, it was official. The Embassy of Japan handed over the Skills Training facility to the GARD Center. This project was graciously funded through the Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP), entitled “The Project for Extension of a Skill Training Center for Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center”
The Completion Ceremony was held on site at the Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center (GARD Center), Nature Park, Mercers Creek, Antigua and Barbuda.
The grant from the Government of Japan for the extension of their Skills Development Center which seeks to enhance the existing training and development activities offered, while also providing increased opportunities for vulnerable youth in Antigua and Barbuda. The amount donated was US$100,525.00.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Takafumi Ura, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director, Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center, and His Excellency Anthony Liverpool, Director General of Foreign Affairs who offered remarks. Ambassador to the UAE, Mr. Casroy James, also attended the ceremony along with other invited guests and media representatives.
In his speech, Mr. Ura highlighted that as “the Government of Japan continues to assist small island states in overcoming vulnerabilities, I believe the Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center’s contribution to youth and female empowerment, along with their support for improved food security in rural communities, can boost the entrepreneurial capabilities throughout the twin island, therefore impacting on the reduction rate of unemployment and producing more self-reliant and productive individuals.”
He continued, the “Government of Japan is very pleased that we can assist the Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center in this endeavour.”
Parks and Recreation Ground Maintenance Technician Training Course
Fifteen (15) young unemployed men and women are undergoing training to become Parks and Recreation Ground Maintenance Technicians at the GARD Center. This is a new course designed by the Center to create a pool of qualified technicians who understand and have the technical know how and practical experience in the management and care of plants; trail blazing techniques; pruning and grafting; minor carpentry skills; composting; pest control; lawn care and operation of landscape equipment.
The GARD Center was contracted by the Labour Department to execute this small works project under their Temporary Employment Program. The trainees are at the Gilbert Agro-heritage Center which will be opening to the general public over the next 5-6 months. The Mill Reef Fund has also contributed monies for this agricultural training course which is greatly appreciated. The Mill Reef Fund has been over the past years a gold sponsor for Camp GROW which is a collaborative effort between the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) and the Center. This camp exposes and provides young people between the ages of 8-11 years with an appreciation for the environment and the importance of agriculture
These future Parks and Recreation Ground Maintenance Technicians will be a great asset to hotel ground maintenance programs, home owners, businesses and other facilities. The GARD Center is very pleased to partner with the Labour Department and the Mill Reef Fund in this effort to offer the unemployed better opportunities through skills training.
The Lighter Side of GARD Center
GARD Center had a ‘rest and recreation’ day at Pigeon Point beach, on Tuesday, 5 May 2015.
The Center’s staff outing was sponsored by the Executive Director, who treated the employees to a day out after they worked tirelessly to prepare for the recently held Farm-to-Table event.
Farm-to-Table Luncheon
The GARD Center held its inaugural Farm-to-Table Luncheon at the Gilbert Agro-Heritage Center, Mercers Creek, on Saturday, 18 April 2015. This exquisite, unique, outdoor dining experience was enjoyed by over 140 visitors.
This fundraiser planned as part of the Center’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, was aimed at raising money for the continuation of the Center’s operation and to implement subsidized training courses for vulnerable youth.
Delicious local meals were prepared by our local volunteer chefs, Caleb; Jarvis; Simon; Simpson; with local produce grown and supplied by our farmers. Even the centerpieces on the tables were ‘tastefully’ done, and created with locally grown vegetables.
Excellent music was provided by the Cool and Smooth Ebonites Steel Orchestra and DJ Riddim Master.
The Fisheries Division provided tastings of Squid chowder and Conch chowder; Squid patties and Smoked Doctor Fish, much to the delight of everyone who was curious enough to try the various delicacies.
The GARD Center looks forward to hosting its second Farm-to-Table Luncheon, early in 2016, and we look forward to having you join us.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers, advisors, farmers and chefs, who gave so generously of their produce, time and talent. The Center also wishes to thank Corporate Antigua and Barbuda, the Friends of GARD Center, and those who sold and/or purchased tickets, or contributed to this fundraiser in any way.
GARD Center – Japanese Human Security Project
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center celebrates the Japanese Government Funds Project for Extension of a Skill Training Center in Antigua and Barbuda. This is the second project awarded by the People of Japan to the GARD Center.
The signing ceremony for the Grant Assistance for the Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP) entitled “The Project for Extension of a Skill Training Center for Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center” took place at 10:00 a.m. on March 6, 2015, at Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center (GARD Center), Nature Park, Mercers Creek, Antigua and Barbuda.
Ms. Jacqueline Yearwood, a GARD Center Board Member, was the Master of Ceremonies and extended a warm welcome to those present. The Ceremony was opened with a word of prayer by Rev. Patmore Henry, Secretary, to the Methodist Church. Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director of the Center, spoke about the Background of the Project and remarks were offered by, Rev. Otto Wade, President, Methodist Conference; His Excellency, Anthony Liverpool, Non-Resident Ambassador of Antigua & Barbuda to Japan and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Hon. Melford Nicholas, and the Minister of Information, Telecommunications, Science and Technology; along with Mr. Takafumi Ura, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan.
After these speeches, there was a Ground Breaking Ceremony, during which Mr. Ura, Rev. Wade and Mr. Nicholas turned the sod where the new building would be erected.
The Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center received a grant of up to US$100,525 from the Government of Japan for the extension of their Skills Development Center which seeks to enhance the existing training and development activities offered, while also providing increased opportunities for vulnerable youth in Antigua and Barbuda.
In his speech, Mr. Ura highlighted that “through the compliance and execution of the project initiatives, the programme will have a wider effect through the community and by extension the society. This expansion will allow for overall improvement of the current facilities which can yield better output services provided to these vulnerable students.”
Mr. Ura also stated that the Government of Japan welcomes further opportunities to work with the Government and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, all with a view to strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding which exist between the two countries.
A Healthy and Prosperous 2015
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) sincerely wishes to thank all of those who have supported our organisation, and assisted our Center in any way over our first twenty five years of existence and we wish to encourage you to continue this journey with us.
The Center started its year long celebrations with a church service on Monday, 8 December 2014, at Ebenezer Methodist Church, St. Mary’s Street, St. John’s. This was followed by a Graduation Ceremony held on 16 December 2014, which was held at the same venue.
Our next activity is a Farm-to-Table event which is planned for April 2015, at the GARD Center Nature Center. This fund raiser showcases our local producers, their products and the chefs who will be on hand to prepare the delicious meals. We cordially invite you to join us at this event.
As our 25th anniversary celebrations continue, we will keep you updated with our events and look forward to having you join us.
UMC Mission Team visits GARD Center
Part of the United Methodist Church (UMC) Mission Team who visited the GARD Center on 25 March 2014, is seen in the picture to the right. President of the Methodist Conference, Rev. Otto Wade and Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director, GARD Center (standing), address the group.
GARD Center – EU Graduation
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) and the European Union, under the project, Empowerment of Young Women of Antigua in their income generation (YWEP), held its first graduation ceremony on Thursday, 13 February, 2014, at the Ebenezer Methodist Church, St. Mary’s Street, St. John’s.
One hundred and three (103) graduates who successfully completed their course of study were celebrated during this ceremony. These young ladies between the ages of 16 – 35 years, graduated from Agriculture; Business Enterprise (day and evening) courses; Information Communication Technology (ICT), – day and evening classes; Basic Cookery; Food & Beverage Service and Office Administration.
The Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, Her Excellency, Dame Louise Lake-Tack, attended and assisted with the presentation of certificates to the Top Students. (R: Ms. Nazeer Colbourne, Overall Top Student)
Mrs. Judith Chastanet, Manager, Customer Relations Department of the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board and Mr. Ashton Fearon, Technical Research Officer & Project Administrator, GATE, also distributed certificates to the students. (Pictured Left: Jermyra Williams receiving certificate from Mrs. Chastanet)
Special Recognition was given by the GARD Center to CIBC/First Caribbean International Bank and Townhouse Mega Store for their continued support towards the Center’s Entrepreneurship programme.
The Ceremony was ably guided by the Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Lenora Murphy, and the Invocation given by Rev. Otto Wade, President of the Methodist Conference.
The Welcome was delivered by two of the Agriculture graduates, Ms. Princess Waszutu Mack and Ms. Waszara Mack.
Congratulatory Remarks were given to the graduates by Mrs. Karen Massiah, Customer Services Coordinator/Executive Assistant, Antigua Computer Technology Co. Ltd. and Mr. Jedidiah Maxime, Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture. The Hon. Harold Lovell, Minister of Finance also offered congratulatory remarks and words of encouragement to the graduates.
The Feature Address was delivered by youthful, Ms. Damara Phillips, Entrepreneur, (Graphic Artist and Disc-Jockey), who shared her passion, experiences, hard work and commitment, ups and downs with the graduates and others in the packed sanctuary. This young lady spoke of her successful infiltration into traditionally male-dominated fields and how she continues to strive for excellence. (L-R: Her Excellency, Governor General, Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Ms. Damara Phillips, Entrepreneur and Hon. Harold Lovell).
Ms. Kareem Francis, Project Manager of the Young Women Empowerment Programme gave a full, passionate, and emotional project review. The majority of the young ladies / now graduates whom she always referred to as her children/girls had done exceptionally well, which made her tremendously proud. Her ‘girls’ responded to her presentation in the most fitting of ways, with spontaneous applause.
There was also a segment for entertainment, and Business Enterprise graduate, Mrs. Tovia Carey-Dowe and guest artiste, Ms. Lauralie Nathan, each performed breath-taking solos. Remarks were also delivered on behalf of the graduating classes by two of the ICT graduates, Ms. Germaine Dublin and Ms. Patricia Francis.
Portion of the Audience in Attendance at the Graduation Ceremony
Mrs. Roberta Williams delivered the Vote of Thanks. She acknowledged those who assisted with all aspects of the project, and highlighted those business places which offered GARD Center’s students’ internships and employment.
The evening ceremony was closed in prayer by Rev. Janetta James, of the Antigua Methodist Circuit, and light refreshment was shared.
Photos courtesy New Media One.
Mill Reef Fund Members Visit the GARD Center
The GARD Center recently gave a tour of the ‘soon to be open’ Nature Center to friends and members of the Mill Reef Fund. Some of the young people of Mill Reef have shown an interest in the programmes offered by the GARD Center. In picture below, Executive Director, center, surrounded by Mill Reef Fund guests.
In addition, the Center received a special gift from a newlywed couple, who married in the USA in 2013. They asked their guests who would have been interested, to make donations to the the Mill Reef Fund to be designated to the GARD Center instead of buying gifts for their wedding.
The GARD Center sincerely wishes to thank this couple for their generous donation and wish them many years of happiness as they share their lives together.
