With a country’s capacity to grow its own food strongly aligned with its development and national security, the Sandals Foundation has joined the Ministry of Education and the Department of Agriculture on its food security program, ‘Let It Grow,’ which will see the establishment of farms at all public and private schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
On Tuesday, August 29, Government officials and private sector representatives joined administrators at the Clement Howell High School as they launched the first school hydroponics system that will provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge that will foster not only an interest in agriculture but also position the sector as a feasible alternative career choice.
“The Department of Education within the Ministry of Education is embarking on a project that seeks to establish farms in all public and private schools,” said Minister of Education Hon. Rachel Taylor. “This interdisciplinary approach, Hon. Taylor continued, “will help students learn how to produce their food and care for animals through farming while considering business opportunities in the field of Agriculture Science. Students will learn how to become self-sufficient, self-reliant, and value team and collaborative work.”
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at Sandals Foundation, expressed delight at the newly established hydroponics system, noting, “For the past few years, the Sandals Foundation has doubled down on its efforts to build the capacity of key community and educational organizations to grow more of their own food. This hydroponics system, we hope, will allow for more fresh fruits and vegetables for the school cafeteria while also having students learn new techniques while recognizing the value and reward of growing what they eat.”
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