GEW Antigua and Barbuda 2021 (8th – 14th Nov, 2021)

Lead up to Entrepreneurship Week Antigua and Barbuda

Leading up to the entrepreneurship week the GARD Center took time to recognize the accomplishments of four entrepreneurs operating right here in Antigua and Barbuda. These four individuals have already using their skills and ideas to make a variety of products from interior decorations to delicious smoothies.

The Global entrepreneurship week started on Monday November 8th and went to the November 14th.

Day 1 Promotions

Promotion launch for the events were ongoing to make entrepreneurs aware of the weeks activities.

Day 2 Startup Huddle

This was organized by Elijah James who along with guest host Ashante Lindsay owner of Guilty Consumptions discussed some of the opportunities available to persons looking to start a business. Opportunities explored in the discussion included networking, business support organizations, accelerators and having mentors. A very informative session that wet the appetite for the rest of the week.

Visit www.startuphuddle.app

Day 3 Let’s Talk Business Event – Clare Hall Secondary School

Entrepreneur of Mrs. Brazier co-owner of Shaade Hydroponics had a talk with the Principle of Business students from the Clare Hall Secondary School. The students got an insight into what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Mrs. Brazier let the students know that being an entrepreneur means having to make some sacrifices but the experience can be very rewarding in the long run.

Day 4 Let’s Talk Business Event- The GARD Center

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Ms. Sasha Jarvis a representative from the ACB Caribbean(Antigua Commercial Bank Ltd.) spoke to the GARD Center students of the “Remarkable Hospitality Course”. This educational session covered the topics of budgeting, investing, credit management and other useful related topics. The students were appreciative of the session and look forward to using the knowledge they would have gained from the session.

Day 5 Fun Walk

The GARD Center organization celebrated 32 Years and celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week 2021 (Antigua & Barbuda) with a Fun Walk. An early energetic morning walk in celebration.

Day 6 Entrepreneur Breakfast and Exhibition

On the Saturday some of the local entrepreneurs were invited to an breakfast webinar that took place at the GARD Center. The entrepreneurs listened and interacted via Zoom to tips and information from entrepreneurial experts Dr. Marcia Brandon of COESL in Barbados and Pastor Victoria Burse of ARC International Atlanta.

During the breakfast the entrepreneurs were awarded certificates for their achievements. The four young entrepreneurs which were during the week leading up to the event were given gifts along with their certificates.

After the breakfast the entrepreneurs were able to showcase their various products and services in the exhibition part of the event.

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Day 7 Church Service – Ebenezer Methodist Church

A closing of the Global Entrepreneurship Week 8th-14th November 2021 was held at the Ebenezer Methodist Church, St. Marys’ Street. Executive Director Mrs. June Jackson spoke during the service.

Adrian Bowen

My name is Adrian Bowen, a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a BSc. in Agriculture. In July 2020, I attended GARD Centers training course in Backyard Gardening with Hydroponics that was funded by the Mill Reef Fund and held at the Extension Division, Ministry of Agriculture. During the 12 weeks, I learnt various things such as Cost Consciousness, Pest Management, Packaging and labeling and everything pertaining to hydroponics. Specifically, Cost Consciousness and hydroponics stood out mostly because Cost Consciousness provided a broader perspective when it came to purchasing as well as thoroughly assessing expenses when pricing your goods or services.

The hydroponics aspect of the course provided a lot of details and food for thought as it was something I was considering doing at the time. The system that we were able to build and take home has provided an excellent means for me to practice and experiment with what I would have learnt. This aided in me building a slightly bigger system and now I’m considering an even bigger build. It was definitely a course that I’m grateful I participated in. I’m appreciative for all the knowledge the presenters who were able to pass on to us and the collaboration that went on between the Extension Division and GARD Center. Special thanks to the Mill Reef Fund for sponsoring the training.

Andre Franklin

I, Andre Franklin was lucky to receive the opportunity to be a part of the Backyard Gardening & Hydroponics course hosted by the GARD Center. The course was a condensed 12-week program with a variety of topics covered and many different lecturers for each topic.

During the 12 weeks, I had the benefit of building rapport with the different lecturers who helped me further my understanding of how to successfully grow many different florae. One of the many benefits of being a part of the course was, to be equipped with the help from the various lecturers. They would help us identify problems that we had, and help prevent us from running into others by pointing out what is that we were doing wrong and guiding us so we would not run into similar issues in the future. We were also taught many eco friendly (non-chemical) ways of dealing with pest and diseases that many of us suffer from in Antigua and Barbuda.

At the end of the Backyard Gardening & Hydroponics course, we were given our own fully functioning Hydroponic Unit (Deep Water Culture) as well as all the necessary components to keep it running for several harvest (of lettuce).

I highly recommend everyone (even if you have no interest in gardening) to sign up for the Backyard Gardening & Hydroponic course as a way to make us, the people of Antigua and Barbuda better equipped in being more independent by providing more for ourselves, friends and family and less reliant on bought produce.

A very special thank you is in order to the Mill Reef Fund as they funded and made this course possible. Thank you for giving me the opportunity for being a part of this program, it was very enlightening.

Soria Holder

In 2020 I attended the GARD Center’s Backyard Garden training course. I can say I am extremely thankful for the opportunity. This course let me know the importance of farming and how to budget and manage the garden better. So far, I have planted, lettuce, cabbage, carrot, beet, thyme, Chinese cabbage, spinach, parsley. I share my harvest by giving them to my Neighbors. During this course I also learnt the importance of food and food safety. My sincere thanks to Mill Reef Fund for sponsoring the training.

Tiffany Pryce

My name is Tiffany Pryce, a graduate of the Ottos Comprehensive Secondary School. I have a passion for Cooking and Agriculture. Lately, I find myself focusing on my catering business and working full time while being a single mother. However, after COVID hit I was laid off and was just home at that time. I decided to further educate myself and quickly realized that food security and providing for my family’s needs should be at the top of the list. It was then I decided to enroll in the GARD Center Backyard Gardening and Hydroponics course that was Funded by Mill Reef Fund and that became the game changer I needed.

Determined to succeed, armed with the vast amount of knowledge that was acquired from the course I was able to start my backyard gardening. Also, I received guidance and mentoring from course instructors and assistance from my brother and other influential persons I met during the course which helped to make the journey a success. Today, I am now growing at least 50% of my produce used on a daily basis and I hope to expand after the summer. In addition to growing local herbs from my garden I harvest my crops and produce my own brand of tea blends, “Tiffany’s Creations”. I have come to realize that Agriculture is a science, it has its good days and bad days but with practice makes perfect. I believe that Food Security should be one of our major priorities as a nation, paying close attention to the narrative “your health is your wealth.” I would like to say a special thanks to GARD Center and Mill Reef Fund for this opportunity.

Tiffany remains steadfast and wishes to encourage anyone, young or old looking to get into this field to go for it full steam ahead. Currently, Tiffany is pursuing a parcel of agriculture land from the ministry of Agriculture to expand her tea business and food production. 

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.

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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.