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ADO’s school tour revives a Grand Bahamian school’s agriculture program drought offering a beacon of light

Wed, Oct 4th 2023, 09:32 AM
Education Environment

While students across The Bahamas are busy learning their ABC’s, ADO is offering a lesson in survival, teaching the value of farming.

In less than two years since its launch, the non-government organization has distributed more than 2500 backyard farming kits, helped churches plant on adjoining empty land, sponsored the Agrarian Awards in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture to recognize and reward farmers and shone its attention on schools with a pledge to supply farming materials to 26 schools in 12 months.

Last week that pledge served as a beacon of light for a school in Grand Bahama where ADO Executive Director Philip Smith met with the headmistress of the Beacon School and Terrance Roberts III, winner of the Inaugural Agrarian Award Male Farmer of the Year 2023, and managing director of Berkshire Family Farms. 

“After spending 17 years feeding the hungry, including a decade with the Bahamas Feeding Network right through the pandemic, I knew the long-term solution to food security in this country was through agriculture,” said Philip Smith, former executive director of the feeding network and now ADO Executive Chairman.

That’s the long-term solution ADO has embraced, collaborating with schools nationwide in the program that has already touched New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Abaco and is headed next to Exuma. 

The Beacon School, a special needs school in Grand Bahama, became the latest to join the ADO family. Headmistress Titi Moss said that students are thrilled to have a farming program at their school again.

“The students are very excited for the launch of the program; we already have our small class gardens so they are looking forward to getting their hands dirty on a larger scale,” Moss said.

A larger scale indeed. Moss noted that the school has not had an agriculture program in five years, but eagerly anticipates its return. With the assistance and guidance of ADO, Moss said, they will be introducing ground roots and a herb garden into their farming program along with chickens for egg production. 

Terrance Roberts III, Managing Director of Berkshire Bahamas Farms and Agrarian Award recipient, said he is thrilled to partner with the ADO and the Beacon School as the school’s agriculture advisor.

“ADO will impact this school and the community, as agriculture is something that is not respected as it should be in our Bahamian community. It’s important to start in our communities with education.”

While students across The Bahamas are busy learning their ABC’s, ADO is offering a lesson in survival, teaching the value of farming.
In less than two years since its launch, the non-government organization has distributed more than 2500 backyard farming kits, helped churches plant on adjoining empty land, sponsored the Agrarian Awards in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture to recognize and reward farmers and shone its attention on schools with a pledge to supply farming materials to 26 schools in 12 months.
Last week that pledge served as a beacon of light for a school in Grand Bahama where ADO Executive Director Philip Smith met with the headmistress of the Beacon School and Terrance Roberts III, winner of the Inaugural Agrarian Award Male Farmer of the Year 2023, and managing director of Berkshire Family Farms. 
“After spending 17 years feeding the hungry, including a decade with the Bahamas Feeding Network right through the pandemic, I knew the long-term solution to food security in this country was through agriculture,” said Philip Smith, former executive director of the feeding network and now ADO Executive Chairman.
That’s the long-term solution ADO has embraced, collaborating with schools nationwide in the program that has already touched New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Abaco and is headed next to Exuma. 
The Beacon School, a special needs school in Grand Bahama, became the latest to join the ADO family. Headmistress Titi Moss said that students are thrilled to have a farming program at their school again.
“The students are very excited for the launch of the program; we already have our small class gardens so they are looking forward to getting their hands dirty on a larger scale,” Moss said.
A larger scale indeed. Moss noted that the school has not had an agriculture program in five years, but eagerly anticipates its return. With the assistance and guidance of ADO, Moss said, they will be introducing ground roots and a herb garden into their farming program along with chickens for egg production. 
Terrance Roberts III, Managing Director of Berkshire Bahamas Farms and Agrarian Award recipient, said he is thrilled to partner with the ADO and the Beacon School as the school’s agriculture advisor.
“ADO will impact this school and the community, as agriculture is something that is not respected as it should be in our Bahamian community. It’s important to start in our communities with education.”
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