RELEVANT AGENCIES/RESOURCES TO CONTACT FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE (CONTINUED)

Caribbean Agricultural Research Development Institute (CARDI) Caribbean Broilers Group Cattle Breeders Society College of Agriculture, Science & Education (CASE) Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) Ebony Park HEART Academy Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Forestry Department Goat Breeders Association HiPro Farm Supplies Institute for International Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) Jamaica Broilers Group Jamaica Livestock Association (JLA) Knockalva Agricultural School National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) National Screwworm Eradication Programme National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) Orange River Research Station Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Scientific Research Council (SRC) Sydney Pagan Agricultural School

Executive Director, Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Lenworth Fulton & former FAO Representative, Dr. Dunstan Campbell working with Clubites in their Garden

For further information, contact: JAMAICA 4-H CLUBS 95 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6 Tel: 876-927-4050-2 Fax: 876-978-3209 Email: jamaica.4h@cwjamaica.com Website: www.jamaica4hclubs.com Or the nearest 4H Clubs Parish Office 2011

CLUBITES PREPARING THEIR SCHOOL GARDEN

Youth Response to Food Security

A programme of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAMME?

This programme is synonymous with the mandate of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs. In his annual Budget Presentation (2008), then Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries, Dr. The Honourable Christopher Tufton announced a policy initiative to create the National School Garden Programme which focuses on the contribution of youth to food security. Initially, the programme sought to establish and/or resuscitate gardens in schools over a three-year period. In the first year, some 322 schools were involved on a phased basis. Up to early 2011, some 588 gardens were established. The programmes strategy is to ensure timely implementation, employment of modern agricultural techniques and equipment while encouraging practical handson experience leading into the formal education system.

HOW IS THE PROGRAMME MANAGED

The Jamaica 4-H Clubs executes the programme through the following structure. Policy oversight by the 4-H Board of Management National School Garden Committee Daily operation managed by the Project Manager, 4-H Clubs Regional Coordinators, School Garden Officers and Parish Development Officers, (PDOs) Administrative support will also be offered by the Project Secretary and the 4-H Clubs Parish Secretaries

HOW DOES THE PROGRAMME WORK?

On visiting the schools, the School Garden Officers/Parish Development Officers will assess the schools agricultural programmes. Upon satisfactory assessment, schools will be assisted with the necessary inputs and/or technical support to establish or resuscitate their gardens. The Project Officer/PDO with support from the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA), the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and Community Volunteers (to include P .T.A members), will work closely with the schools to ensure proper implementation. Each garden should be registered and appropriate signage erected. Gardens will be monitored by the Project Officers/PDOs and should form part of the schools Boards and P .T.A agenda items for update and support. The 4-H Clubs will offer assistance and support in marketing gardening outputs.

GOAL
To equip all public educational institutions with technologicallydriven school gardens, aimed at providing young persons with the necessary skills and knowledge that will foster the development of agriculture as an alternative career choice while promoting entrepreneurship with the field.

OBJECTIVES
To encourage practical agricultural training in schools To introduce modern agricultural technologies To improve self efficacy (entrepreneurship) among the nations youth To involve youth in contributing to food security To provide healthy fresh food for school canteens To stimulate young people towards agriculture as a viable career To encourage young people to eat Jamaican and develop the taste and preference for local dishes

REPORTING
Institutions are expected to give monthly reports on all agricultural activities. This is necessary to follow progress and to supply information to the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries on youth involvement in agriculture relevant to contribution to Gross Domestic Product, (GDP).

RELEVANT AGENCIES/RESOURCES TO CONTACT FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE

Agro Grace Bee Keepers Association Bodles Research Station Bureau of Standards of Jamaica