CARICOM youth ambassadors launch climate-smart agriculture project at Clan Carthy High School

CARICOM youth ambassadors for Jamaica, Odane Brooks and Christal Parris-Campbell, led the visibility launch and contract signing for the development and installation of an aquaponics and food garden project at Clan Carthy High School.

The launch of the Green Thumbs AquaEd School Garden Project, a youth-led initiative that places young people at the forefront of sustainable development and regional integration, was held on Wednesday, June 4 at Clan Carthy High School in Kingston.

Dr Gavin Bellamy, chief executive officer of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), delivered the keynote address on behalf of Floyd Green, minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining. He highlighted the important role of projects like this in bolstering food systems’ resilience and fostering innovation at the community level.

“We are especially excited about the education and training component of this project,” he disclosed. He said the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, through the NFA, will be supporting the development and installation of an Aquaponics and Food Garden Project at Clan Carthy High School by providing technical support, and that the initiative is in alignment with Jamaica’s commitment to leading aquaculture development for the region.

“You are not only growing food; you are gaining knowledge. You are becoming part of a movement that fuses agriculture and fisheries with technology and that will prepare you to deal with the challenges of the future head-on,” Bellamy added.

In the project overview, CARICOM Youth Ambassador Odane Brooks highlighted how the project seeks to empower young people to respond efficiently to present-day challenges.

“This project is about empowerment. It is about transforming learning spaces to help young people understand the challenges of their time and be equipped with the tools to lead solutions. It shows what is possible when institutions trust youth with responsibility and resources,” he said.

Parris-Campbell shared a regional perspective on the intersection of youth leadership, climate change, and health, reinforcing the importance of mainstreaming youths in development dialogues and project execution. The event culminated in the formal signing of a consultancy agreement between Paul Barrett, the project’s technical consultant, and Ambassador Brooks, marking the official start of the implementation phase.

This initiative is underpinned by the mission of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme, a flagship regional mechanism that engages young leaders from across the Caribbean to champion integration, advocate for youth development, and bridge the gap between policy and community action. By leading projects like this one, youth ambassadors play a central role in translating CARICOM’s development agenda into tangible grassroots impact.

The project, spearheaded by CARICOM youth ambassadors, will facilitate the construction of an aquaponics system and the establishment of a food garden at the institution, along with the provision of training. The purpose is to build the capacity of students and staff in climate-resilient agricultural practices while promoting food security and environmental sustainability.

It is being funded by the Pan American Health Organization and is jointly executed by the Leo Club of St Andrew Central, Lions Clubs International Foundation, which is providing funding to support the execution, Youth Education Association, and the Jamaica 4-H Clubs.

Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs Peter Thompson underscored the entity’s role in ensuring the project remains sustainable. He praised the project’s alignment with national goals to rebrand agriculture as a viable, technology-driven career path for youths.

“Through our involvement, we are ensuring that this is not just a one-off project but a fully integrated programme. Teachers are being trained, curriculum materials developed, and new standards of excellence are being introduced into the school system,” he explained.

Speaking at the launch, Carlene McCook Allen, acting vice-principal of Clan Carthy High, welcomed the initiative as a timely intervention that brings real-world relevance to the classroom.