Barriers continue to be broken for what can be considered male-dominated areas; the GARD Centeris joining that cause offering women a new training opportunity in hydroponics.

The Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center is a leading training facility, targeting youth and women providing positive entrepreneurial and employment alternatives.

The small project will only be open to a handful of women, because of that, Executive Director June Jackson is imploring females to get on board.

This training will begin in March.

“This project involved hydroponics training and management for women. We only have space for 20 women. This course is targeting persons in the community development area but what is important about this is the food security component of it. We are working with the Ministry of Agriculture and women tend to have this green thumb and at the end of this training you are going to have your own mini hydroponics unit,” Jackson explained.

Jackson clarified that the first 20 women will join free but after that, any other will have to pay a fee.

Schools will also be involved in this training.

“There are two schools from the community including the Pares Secondary and GlanvillesSecondary who will be a part of this training. They will come to GARD during their agricultural period and the training will be done. However, upon successful completion, they get a certificate as well as a unit on their site. So, the Agri department in those two schools will be able to train in hydroponics,” Jackson said.

Incarcerated persons will also receive this training and will benefit from a unit as well.

The Center will be offering other courses like Office Administration, soap-making, beginners beekeeping, beginners and immediate sewing, entrepreneurship, basic baking decorating and food preparation, and remarkable hospitality and customer service

Registration is open and can be done by visiting the GARD Center website at gardc.org or call 463-4121/727-4121.

Classes will begin on February 3rd.