Education
School Agriculture Program continues, 16 Farms Running
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 6, 2023 – The TCI is advancing in its quest for better food security with over a dozen school farms now set up across the islands. Washington Misick, TCI Premier made the announcement in his State of The State Address last Monday, February 27th.
“My government takes the matter of food security very seriously. The pandemic and recent supply chain issues is a wakeup call,” he said. 
Thanks to that ‘wake-up call’ the PNP government said 16 gardens across the country had been set up. The project which was the brainchild of the former PDM administration was revitalized by the government and began officially in April 2022. The Ministries of Education and Tourism partnered on the project which initially engaged 15 public schools and two private institutions.
“Our aim is to teach sustainability, responsibility and entrepreneurship in schools. Our hope is students will become self-sufficient, self-reliant, and value team and collaborative work with the end goal of developing and promoting the field of Agricultural Science,” the government had said.
In addition to the farms, the government has:
- Provided farmers with grants to upgrade their farms;
- Provided hurricane relief grants to farmers after Fiona, a first for the country;
- Removed all import duties on farm vehicles and;
- Opened the first farmers’ market in the TCI, a project started by the PDM and completed by the PNP.
Bahamas Information Services
GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Kingsley Smith along with Deputy Director of Education for the Grand Bahama, Bimini, and The Cays District, Michelle Bowleg toured Holmes Rock Junior High School to assess ongoing progress and ensure the project remains on track to welcome students for the new academic term in September.
Following the tour, Smith expressed optimism regarding the ongoing progress, stating, “Having toured the site and seeing the work that is
being done on the weekend, shows the commitment and dedication to getting it completed.”
He also noted that after discussions with the contractors, he was assured that with sufficient manpower and around-the-clock work, the project remains on track for completion by September 1, 2025.
“One of our underlying goals is really access, so we are happy that the school will be up and ready for our students,” said Bowleg.
She highlighted that several zoom meetings were held with parents to keep them informed about key updates including booklists, uniforms, and staffing. According to Bowleg, feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It is a beautiful facility, one that parents will be very proud of, and the entire West Grand Bahama community,” she added.
(BIS Photos/Danielle Rollon)
