By Admin. Updated 2:27 p.m., Friday, August 23, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Contestant number 5 in the 2024 Miss SVG Pageant – Alvina Pinder, Miss Grenadine House has encouraged members of her community and the whole country to practice sustainable agriculture.
The US Department of Agriculture defines Sustainable agriculture as farming in such a way as to protect the environment, aid and expand natural resources, and make the best use of nonrenewable resources.
Ms. Pinder hosted a week of activities in her Spring, Biabou community as part of the GECCU Community Service Project in which all contestants in the Miss SVG pageant must participate ahead of the show slated for October 5, 2024.
Assuming the role of Minister of Agriculture under the community service project, Ms. Pinder launched her subproject – The Harvesting Hope Initiative which was aimed at redefining my community’s (Spring Garden and Biabou) relationship with agriculture, food production, health, and the environment.
Her one-week project ran from August 12-18, 2024.
In a press release, Ms. Pinder said: “As the minister of agriculture, it is imperative for my team and I to teach the residents of Spring Garden and Biabou about the different aspects of agriculture, which include, but are not limited to, planting seeds to provide food, not only for them but for their families, and ways in which they can use agriculture as a source of income”.
She said the main objectives of the Harvesting Hope Initiative are to promote sustainable living and healthier eating habits within her community; to promote sustainable farming practices and recycling in food production; to enhance community engagement and involvement, and; to encourage entrepreneurship, educate, and empower the residents of Spring Garden and Biabou.
She said her project’s objectives were accomplished during a week of activities, “with Day 1 being the launch of my project under the theme “Roots and Foundation,” where residents of Spring Garden and Biabou learnt about the basics of growing their own produce and how it can benefit themselves and others”.
The contestant said Day 2, which was called “Green Thumb Day,” included applying what was learnt from Day 1 through hands-on activities where residents of my community engaged in the planting process and using recycled containers as a home for crops.
“Day 3, “Barn Harvest,” included a trip to see animals, where we were briefed on the benefits animals offer to agriculture,” and on Day 4, which was called “Hope for Madeira, we journeyed to the Madeira Valley Forest Park to assist with replanting and restoration, as it was damaged by Hurricane Beryl, she said.
“On Day 5, “Seeds of Success” was held. Residents of my community shared their testimonies and success stories on how they were able to use agriculture to start businesses, as well as offered pointers to those looking to start their own agricultural-related business,” she said.
“On Day 6, “From Garden to Pantry,” residents were exposed to a hands-on session that involved teaching the residents of Spring Garden and Biabou about food preservation and how to extend the shelf life of their products,” the press release added.
“Finally, on Day 7, we concluded this project with an “agri-fun” day where residents came together and brought their own home-grown produce, which we used to cook a turkey boil-up and ate biscuits that were made from pumpkin and breadfruit, she said.
“The Harvesting Hope Initiative embodied a vision of resilience, self-sufficiency, and sustainable growth for the residents of Spring Garden and Biabou. General Employees Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. (GECCU) was the main sponsor of this project, and I want to thank them for their generosity and belief in investing in agriculture,” Ms. Pinder said.
“Their involvement over the years is not only an investment in a project, but it is also an investment in the future of all the communities involved. As Minister of Agriculture, I am immensely grateful for your commitment to fostering positive change and empowering our residents,” the 19-year-old added.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed in one way or another to making this project a success,” Ms. Pinder added.
About the GECCU Community Service Project
The GECCU Community Service Project was introduced in 2022 and has benefited many communities across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This year I am participating as a contestant, and the theme is “She Leads.”
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