KAREN EARNSHAW
Wotje High School’s new kitchen is getting the perfect companion: A garden that will soon be brimming with beautiful and tasty vegetables.
The long-time proponent of tower gardens is Don Arkin, who is temporarily in RMI: “I recently travelled to Wotje Atoll for the first time as a contractor for the Canvasback Wellness Center in partnership with IOM in Majuro.
“My job was to install 20 Tower Farms aeroponic towers at the Public High School. It was a successful trip with bountiful and enthusiastic support from teachers and students at the school. These students were in classes with Agricultural teachers, Shop teachers and Science teachers.”
Don said the towers are not overly complicated, but “there are quite a few parts and some moving parts and many ways to do the job incorrectly. The students paid close attention as I demonstrated what needed to be done and then made fun of each other when they initially got it wrong sometimes. I will long treasure the wonderful welcome and support of the Wotje community.”
At approximately the same time that Don was telling the Journal of his most recent gardening project, Melinda Tomeing of Northern Islands High School was posting some great photos of the gardening project on Facebook: “The installation of aeroponic towers at NIHS is now underway.
“We extend our sincere thanks to the Canvasback Wellness Center for their support and contribution to this initiative. This project will enhance hands-on learning opportunities and promote healthy, sustainable practices within our school community.”
In related news, the current Acting Director of the Canvasback Wellness Center is Greg Garvin, who arrived in Majuro in September last year. He will be replaced in February by Andrew and Anya McChesney.
But in the meantime, Greg is happy to be involved in the ongoing garden projects in the outer islands.
“The greenhouse on Mili and the aeroponic tower gardens being constructed on Wotje and Jaluit by Canvasback Wellness, together with our partners at IOM, will provide the residents with a sustainable source of produce for a healthier diet.
“Plus, since the towers are located at schools, (the project) will expose the students to the joys of raising healthy foods and following the produce from ‘Farm to Fork’.”