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D7 Community Garden Programme to teach basics of farming & entrepreneurship

- apprentices will be given access to land & operate under tutelage of Arona Fahie-Forbes
The D7 Community Garden Programme will involve a cohort of six (6) to ten (10) apprentices who will learn the fundamentals of farming and entrepreneurship. Photo: VINO/File
According to Deputy Premier and Minister with the portfolio for agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), the D7 Community Garden Programme will be used as a pilot to increase access to food, improve eating habits and general well-being, and generate a greater sense of community, from seed to table. Photo: VINO/File
According to Deputy Premier and Minister with the portfolio for agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), the D7 Community Garden Programme will be used as a pilot to increase access to food, improve eating habits and general well-being, and generate a greater sense of community, from seed to table. Photo: VINO/File
The apprentices in the D7 Community Garden Programme will learn how to grow, harvest and market their produce, under the tutelage of Arona Fahie-Forbes, an expert agriculturist and seasoned entrepreneur. Photo: VINO/File
The apprentices in the D7 Community Garden Programme will learn how to grow, harvest and market their produce, under the tutelage of Arona Fahie-Forbes, an expert agriculturist and seasoned entrepreneur. Photo: VINO/File
LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI- In an effort to foster food security and promote agriculture in the Seventh District, an entrepreneurship initiative dubbed the D7 Community Garden Programme has been formed.

The programme will involve a cohort of six (6) to ten (10) apprentices who will learn the fundamentals of farming and entrepreneurship.

According to a press release today, May 19, 2021, from the District Office of the Seventh District Representative, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, who is also the Deputy Premier and Minister with the portfolio for agriculture, the apprentices will have access to a small lot (232 x 78 ft) in Long Look, where they will learn how to grow, harvest and market their produce, under the tutelage of Arona Fahie-Forbes, an expert agriculturist and seasoned entrepreneur.

The D7 Community Garden Programme is being managed by the D7 Community Garden Committee, led by Mrs Roxane Toussaint.

Pilot programme

Dr Wheatley said, “We are looking to use this programme as a pilot to increase access to food, improve eating habits and general well-being, and generate a greater sense of community, from seed to table.

“In addition to the health and cultural benefits of a community garden, the programme will stimulate economic activity, create much-needed entrepreneurship opportunities for Long Look residents, and the wider Virgin Islands community,” Dr Wheatley said.

Apprentices must be residents of the Seventh District who are either unemployed or underemployed.

The pilot programme will take place for a period of three (3) months in the first instance.

Access to farmland @ Paraquita Bay

According to the press release, successful participants will then be granted access to a plot of farmland in Paraquita Bay to further their entrepreneurial endeavours.

Interested persons can register by contacting Roxane Toussaint via email roxanetoussaint@yahoo.com and mobile 443-6161.

The programme’s official launch will take place once apprentices are selected.

“The D7 Community Garden Programme is in line with the Government of the Virgin Islands’ vision for Agriculture, which contributes to the economic growth, social well-being and protection of the natural environment in the Territory,” the press release stated.

8 Responses to “D7 Community Garden Programme to teach basics of farming & entrepreneurship”

  • Shaft (19/05/2021, 19:03) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    NOW THAT IS WHEN POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE MINDS COME TOGETHER TO GROW PURE NATURAL VEGETABLES OR HOME GROWN FOOD , THE CUBAN DISAPPOINTED A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THAT HE WOULD OF BEEN LIKE A GOD SEND FOR AGRICULTURE
  • long look me come from (19/05/2021, 19:25) Like (9) Dislike (20) Reply
    We not exchanging Showada for the little child d from the bank vip all the way
  • other Districts? (19/05/2021, 20:01) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    WHAT HAPPEN TO THE OTHER DISTRICTS MINISTER?
  • THAT YOUR BEST? (19/05/2021, 20:16) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    A sugar coated pacephire can fool the ignorance easily
    ONLY 6 TO 10 PERSONS VOTED YOU IN OFFICE MINISTER SUWANDE WHEATLY OR HUNDREDS?
    WITH SO MANY PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP IN THESE HARD TIMES ONLY 6 TO 10 YOU CAN COUNT TOO.?
  • Joey (20/05/2021, 01:49) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    YES IT IS HIS BEST - people and community oh ye of LOW OR NO VISION, selfish mind, carrier of personal gripes and TOXIC attitude. what have you done or are doing relative to community contribution or overall growth and enhancement of our people - PUFF, BE GONE.....!!!!
  • Land for Us (20/05/2021, 05:56) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    After all of this will Land be available to us...??.. We will need land to execute and make this training a reality...We need more than talk.
  • omg (20/05/2021, 09:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    More money more problems
  • Grateful (20/05/2021, 09:08) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    You know what we are not a grateful set of people that is why some of us can't see beyond our nose. A little step in the right direction appears to be to small for some. People we have to start somewhere. A baby learn to creep before they walk. What is so wrong with this? I see it as a golden opportunity for some who has a passion for the earth and to produce food. You only need a handful to start and with clear direction we can change the outcome in food production and be less dependent on imported. Seems like irma and covid didn't teach us anything. Are we looking for more lessons.


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