2022 President’s Report of Activity
2022 saw the completion of the Sunshine Tutorial Farms in Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School and Old Bight High School and their first two harvests. Watermelon, corn and other hot crops in June and lots of greens in December. The farms feature water management, solar powered drip irrigation system (micro sprinklers and emitters), which allow harvesting even during drought. CIU was the project sponsor with financial assistance from the Global Environment Fund Small Grants Program (GEF-SGP). The students cleared the land, installed the systems, planted and harvested under the guidance of the Agricultural Teacher, Mr. Horace Forbes. At the end of the year, a third farm was planned for Old Bight Primary School and building is underway. These “smart farms” are local solutions that help combat climate change, drought and carbon emissions. Food is fresher, healthier and grown without pesticides. There is no need for plastic packaging or shipping. We look forward to continuing to expand the farms with the addition of soil, another water reservoir and broiler chickens.
We continued the aluminum can recycling effort with a record number of sugar bags of cans shipped to Cans 4 Kids to be recycled.
We continued to experiment with small island solar solutions and developed economical prototypes for solar powered pumps, hot water heaters, hurricane recovery and electricity for residents who are off the grid.
Finally, we launched the Youth Journalist Club who will take over the News feature of our website.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ethel Turner,
President of Cat Island United
