A significant donation made to Gifft Hill School supports the continued success of the school’s aquaponics and hydroponics program. Island Green Living president Harith Wickrema, who donated the aquaponics system to the school on behalf of Island Green in December 2020, has now given $25,000 on behalf of Island Green to reinvest in a program that has found great success at the school.
“The continuation of the aquaponics program and Gifft Hill’s EARTH program are essential to address the island’s food security issues,” said Wickrema. “Currently, Island Green and GHS are working with the Virgin Islands Department of Education in bringing food security to the entire territory, and the Gifft Hill School aquaponics system will serve as a role model.”
Since the implementation of the aquaponics system at the Gifft Hill School Upper Campus, students have taken part in caring for the tilapia, whose waste provides nutrients for the herbs and greens grown in the soil-free system. Through science and STEAM classes in grades 6-12, students monitor the system’s water quality and oversee the growth and harvest of the plants. Students have also harvested tilapia from the system, which they used in various dishes in culinary class.
Plans include enhancing previous micro-business models that allowed students to sell produce grown in the aquaponics system to local restaurants.
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