It is hard to believe that I have now been back in Canada for a week and have re-started classes at McGill. I am struck by how much I have changed and how different it is to be back in the hustle and bustle of Montreal, Qc, instead of in hot, humid and sunny Barbados with its relaxed island attitude.

It is so astonishing to realize how long ago my last post on this blog was. So much has happened since the beginning of August when I last posted: the last garden and supermarket observations were made, the data was analyzed, the budgets were finalized, the promotional materials were printed, the final 91-page report was written and two successful presentations were given.

The project was a huge success – we had a great turnout for our promotional presentations to IICA and to the University of the West Indies (and the McGill University community in Barbados). The government of Barbados took an interest in the project as a result of our study and is now cooperating with IICA and other interested parties to set up backyard greenhouses and gardens over the island. IICA has already set up meetings with three of the organizations who sent representatives to our presentation on August 11th. IICA will use the material that we created to promote domestic food production to the larger membership of such organizations as: the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, the Barbados Diabetic Association, the National Nutrition Council, the Barbados Association of Retired Persons, and so on.

Hopefully the word will get out and these organizations, as well as the government, will provide financial assistance to subsidize new garden projects. This was a major victory in the battle to ensure food security in Barbados and tackle the myriad of health problems associated with diet and nutrition in the country. I am hopeful that the next group of McGill students can take this project a step even further and that gardening and agriculture can re-take its place in the hearts of Barbadians.

Category: Barbados, Upon return // Add Comment »