The A. Louise Garland Thomas High School in Long Bay has broken new ground in agricultural innovation, unveiling its first hydroponic farm on the school compound.
The farm marks the second such facility to open on a school compound. The first school Hydroponic Farm was open at the Clement Howell High School in Blue Hills, Providenciales sometime ago.
Already yielding fresh lettuce and soon to produce tomatoes, the ALGTHS Hydroponics Farm marks a major leap forward in the nation’s food security and youth development efforts.
The hydroponic project, officially launched during a ceremony on Saturday, March 22, brings together government officials, educators, and community partners, in a bold initiative to promote sustainable farming, environmental education, and entrepreneurship among youth.
Hydroponics, a soil-free method of growing plants using water and nutrients, offers a high-yield, eco-friendly alternative to traditional farming—particularly crucial for an island nation with limited arable land. The system installed at the school uses fixed hydro setups and circulating nutrient solutions carefully tested and maintained by trained cadets.
A total of 60 cadets from A. Louise Garland Thomas High School took part in the venture, receiving hands-on training in everything from greenhouse construction and nutrient testing to business planning and crop management.
Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh of the Department of Agriculture highlighted the educational impact.
“Cadets were trained in every aspect—from constructing the greenhouse to understanding plant nutrition,” she said. “They gained firsthand knowledge of how hydroponic systems work, and how to manage them for different crops.”
The training equips students with valuable agricultural and business knowledge. Cadets not only manage crop growth but also track inventory, learn financial literacy, and prepare to bring produce to local markets—creating pathways into both farming and business careers.
Government and Community Support
Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, praised the initiative during the unveiling exercise.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our young people to learn new techniques in sustainable farming,” Taylor noted. “With everything in the supermarket being so expensive, imagine being able to grow fresh produce right at the back of your school—this is backyard farming, on a new level.”
Minister Taylor emphasized that the hydroponic garden ties into the Ministry’s broader “Greening in Schools” initiative and encouraged cadets to take pride and responsibility in maintaining it.
The project was made possible through cross-sector collaboration. The Department of Agriculture, under the Ministry of Tourism, funded the majority of the build-out, with materials provided by community partners like Do-It Center and skilled volunteers such as electrician Frank Penn, who offered his services free of charge.
“This is for the kids,” said Penn. “The only payment I wanted was a thank you—and seeing this completed is thanks enough.”
A Vision for the Future
The hydroponic farm is more than a science project—it’s a working model for national resilience and sustainability. According to Kissoonsingh, the long-term goal includes selling the produce to hotels and grocery stores, generating up to $10,000 USD per week with little to no pesticide use.
“We’re investing in our youth and our future,” Kissoonsingh added. “This initiative addresses food security, crime prevention, and economic independence all in one.”
Lorenzo Chariandy, who helped broker the opportunity for the cadets, called it “a holistic development initiative,” teaching not just agriculture but life skills. “This isn’t just about lettuce,” he said. “It’s about leadership, responsibility, and hope.”
With environmental science set to be introduced in primary schools soon, Minister Taylor noted that this initiative gives A. Louise Garland Thomas High School students a head start. The school is now well on its way to earning a “green flag” under the national program.