The GARD Center proudly celebrated the completion of 148 certificates across 12 transformative training programmes a powerful reflection of our commitment to building sustainable livelihoods, strengthening food security, and empowering citizens across Antigua & Barbuda.
Showcases of Vetiver Innovation
Announcing to the OECS member states of Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines the Call for Expressions of Interest to join the OAS Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project. This project targets women-owned and women-led Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and is designed to empower women to actively participate in and benefit from the digital economy and to build sustainable livelihoods.
By participating in this project, women entrepreneurs will have access to mechanisms and various opportunities for digitizing their businesses, building an online presence, accessing financial services, accessing international markets, among others. Cutting edge information on relevant topics for business development as well as mentoring programs will be provided and direct access to a MSME Clearinghouse which provides toolkits and resources to access the digital economy, financial opportunities and partnerships. A National Working Group has been established in each country made up of partner institutions to provide support to businesses.
MSME Women entrepreneurs operating within these member countries, are invited to apply at https://forms.gle/E5h5GrVcVrxchsyi9. This registration link will remain open until April 27, 2023.
The better equipped our women entrepreneurs are, the greater their impact on economic growth and development of their families and communities.
The OAS WEE project encourages wide circulation to all eligible women. For more information, contact the Caribbean Project Manager, Lizra Fabien at LFabien@oas.org.
Welcome to Entrepreneurship World Cup Antigua and Barbuda 2022 Virtual Pitch Competition. The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) was selected to be the National Host by COESL and Global Entrepreneurship Network Caribbean.
Antigua and Barbuda will be participating in this Global Competition, which provides an unique opportunity for the island to showcase some of our best innovative entrepreneurs.
The Center is pleased to have received a generous donation from ACB Caribbean for this very worthy venture.
Joyanne Byers, Senior Manager, Finance & Accounting at ACB Caribbean, presented XCD 3,000.00 to Executive Director June M. Jackson and Judy Dease-Richards, Life Skills Tutor / Business Development Assistant of GARD Center at ACB Caribbean’s Headquarters on St. Mary’s and Thames Streets, St. John’s, on Friday, 29 July, 2022.
11 Finalists will each have 3 minutes to show us why they should be the National Winner of Entrepreneurship World Cup Antigua and Barbuda 2022.
Evening training is currently ongoing at the GARD Center in Beginners Beekeeping sponsored by the Mill Reef Fund and Climate Smart Agriculture with Business Enterprise, Hydroponics and Backyard Gardening funded by the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) and the Sandals Foundation. These training sessions are held at the GARD Center in Mercers Creek from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
During these 14 weeks of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) training, participants have been involved in Business Enterprise sessions to include Costing and Pricing, Communication & Marketing, Intellectual Property, Business Plan, Parasitology, Budding and Grafting and Vermiculture. These training courses and are now in their sixth week of training and the participants have been engaged in climate smart discussions and vibrant class sessions. As these courses progress, each participant is eagerly looking forward to more practical hands-on training and field work. In the weeks ahead, participants would also engage in Packaging and Labelling, Backyard Gardening and Hydroponics practicals along with field visits.
Marketing and Communication
Over 30 persons have shown interest in 12 weeks of training in Beginners Beekeeping of whom 25 participants are currently receiving the tools and hands-on training to prepare them to begin their apiaries. Each participant will receive the added component of Business Enterprise to include Packaging and Labelling to develop their brand and business idea. During the training participants have shown great enthusiasm in class sessions and a WhatsApp group was created to share information and ask questions to expand on their knowledge in Beekeeping. Each participant constructed their own bee frames and were outfitted with bee suits to carry out a field visit at the Urlings Primary School to remove a beehive. The bees were safely relocated to bee boxes and the honey extracted from the beehive was refined. The beeswax was used to make lip balm and other products and each participant received a sample.
Students watching as how to use the bee smoker is demonstrated.
Participants assisted with the removal of a bee hive from the school.
The GARD Center and the Australian Embassy based in Trinidad and Tobago and the Mill Reef fund have partnered with the Antigua and Barbuda Beekeeping Cooperative to train youth in beekeeping and its added valued activities in soap making and bee box construction. Twenty-two (22) participants have been involved in a ten week training course that is covering topics such as:
Along with the technical aspects of raising bees the participants are learning how to add value to some of the secondary products from beekeeping such as using the beeswax in the making of soaps and creams. Other activities in the project will be the production of some educational fact sheets on various aspects of Beekeeping in Antigua and Barbuda.
The Australian Embassy has assisted with funding for beekeeping suits, other equipment and the lumber for the bee boxes. The Mill Reef Fund has also provided the funding for most of the trainers fees as well as equipment.
It is hoped that this partnership will go a long way in helping to boost the beekeeping industry in Antigua and Barbuda after facing some challenges which was affecting its survival.
GARD Center announces its Upcoming Training Courses for Unemployed Youth in Antigua and Barbuda.
All courses are sponsored by a grant from the European Union.
The much anticipated GARD Center Farm-to-Table is scheduled for Saturday, 14 April 2018.
The 4th annual fundraiser Luncheon will be worth the wait.
Once again, it will be held under the auspices of the Governor General of Antigua and 
Barbuda, Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams, at the GARD Center’s Agro-Nature Park, Mercer’s Creek.
On offer this year are more Chefs, Producers and a much wider mouth-watering 4 Course meal. Each patron will be greeted with a ‘Signature Welcome Drink.’ Seafood Tastings will also be available. From Soups to Mouth watering Desserts, your palate will be pleased with your selection.
The fourth Annual Farm-to-Table benefit luncheon for the GARD Center was launched on Friday, 9 March 2018, on site at the Gilbert Agro-Heritage Center.
The occasion was opened in prayer by Rev. Patmore Henry, Secretary to the Methodist Conference and Board member of the Center. The event was chaired by Dame Eusalyn Lewis, Board Member, who also welcomed those present.
Introductory and Background Remarks were given by Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director, GARD Center.
Mr. Casroy James and Mr. Kirthley Maginley, Principals of the James and Maginley Charity 
& Care Foundation Inc. both offered encouraging remarks and affirmed their support to this GARD Center Fundraiser for the next two (2) years, prior to officially handing over the Sponsorship Cheque of EC$13,700.00, for 2018, to the Executive Director, Mrs. Roberta Williams.
Mr. Mario Colindres, General Manager of the Goddard Catering Group, was not able to be at the Launch, but sent remarks on behalf of the participating Chefs, and their commitment to this major Fundraising event.
Farm-to-Table 2018, will be held on Saturday, 14 April, 2018, at the Gilbert Agro-Heritage Center. Lunch will be served from 1:00pm – 4:00pm.
Tickets are now on Sale for $100.00. Children under 12 years will pay $40.00.
We look forward to seeing you all there, as you continue to support the GARD Center as we train and empower the youth of Antigua and Barbuda.
The Center is offering an Excellent opportunity for youth (17 – 35 years) to find the right CAREER. An opportunity to meet employers and entrepreneurs, to learn more about organisations and businesses and a career you may be interested in pursuing.
Are you tired of being UNEMPLOYED? Then here is an opportunity for you.
GARD Center is offering UPCOMING COURSES in:
Automotive Repair
Business Enterprise
Customer Service in the 21st Century
Glass Jewelry Making
See you on Friday, 26th January 2018, upstairs the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda on Long Street, St. John’s.
We will be there from 9:00am – 2:00pm.
Phone us at 463.4121 or 562.0084, for further information.
Registration is ongoing for courses mentioned.
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Mercers Creek, Antigua, West Indies
+1 268 463-4121 or 562-0084
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