It’s been awhile since I got behind the pc to actually get Cutural Xpression back on track.. It’s challenging to not have a stable income, while the economical challenges become over whelming, not only for myself and family, but for many others who today may still are out of work..
I am truly grateful to wake up everyday and just be privilege to plant a seed. With patients, time and love you’ll be able to harvest the fruit of your dedication. And, damn I must say them fruit does be the sweetest no matter the circumstance.
Took me some time to get my creativity levels back up having to deal with all the different challenges at hand. Its hard to stay focus for some who have no goals or opportunities set before them to occupy their mind set. For me, I learned to overcome the circumstances by learning and accepting to be contented with all the small blessings received and to always have food on my table due to the sweat of my brow..
The greatest thing is to find the message, lesson or reason for being placed or exposed to a situation that will require you to be creatively innovative to maintain food on your table, a health mindset and a clear since of direction. What better way to accomplish that by playing your part and contributing to agri-cultural development in your community or country.
Agriculture, as an essential commodity in many other countries, it took the COVID Pandemic for St Maarten to finally recognized this sector as an ESSENTIAL ONE … For me that was HISTORY MADE and the greatest thing that came out of this pandemic for country St Maarten… Perhaps we are just putting our shoes on.
Despite the challenges of last year it brought one great thing to the forefront, it allowed agriculture for the first time in many decades to take the center stage. For the first time in my lifetime of 39 years I saw St Maarten \ St Martin people take pride in planting a seed and seeking knowledge on how to make it sustainable. It was a blessing to see so many people pick up on where we culturally lost our way over the pass 70+ years.
Now that the new year has begun, the mission is to continue to build awareness in this sector while providing opportunities for individuals to sharpen their skills while getting involved in the revitalization of the many aspect and benefits that Agri-Culture can bring to our people, communities and economy.
On Nov 9, 2020 we kicked off the ECO-Learning Program in collaboration with Community Development, Family & Humanitary Affairs. The program concept originally influenced by the Agro-Ecology course in collaboration with ECO St Maarten Agricultural Research and Development Center Foundation and The University of St Maarten back in 2019 yield great success and was completed on Jan 18, 2021.
A certification ceremony was schedule for Feb 5, 2021 at the Government Building in the presence of the Minister of VSA Mr Panneflek and Head of CDFHA Ms Chantelle Groeneveldt to award the participants for their participation and completion of the program.
The program offered 40 participants the oppertunity for 8 weeks to engage in practical knowledge based interactive sessions covering a wide range of agricultural topics from climate change to the culinary art of harvesting.
You can read up more on the ECO Learning Program here or fill in the form to register for the next upcoming sessions.
The new year started off with a great kick for the Dutch Caribbean as Caribbean Research Programme Chair was Assigned to Dr Francio Guadeloupe. I was also privilege to be a part of this research team back in March 2020 as they traveled around the Dutch Caribbean Islands assessing the current climate change situations that led to the a successful triumph for their project ‘’Islanders at the Helm’’. Dr Antonio Carmona Beaz president of USM, part of this team as well also contributed to this months edition as he covered the Recovery, Development and the Pandemic on St. Martin and some insight into USM intern evaluates agriculture for school curricula.
Our economy is struggling, people still out of work, visitors are at a stand still and the direction for food security in country St Maarten is still a long road that we still have not yet even begun to walk.
This pandemic open my eyes to many things that we in St Maarten are still vulnerable to as a country that is solely dependent on the importation of our essential needs. This needs to change at a drastic pace before we find ourselves in a more serious situation where our resources for basic survival is at risk..
For now it may seem like just a free minded gesture, but keep in mind that ever so often man themselves or nature will continue to challenge our species until we either get it right or completely fall to our own ignorance, greed and inconsideration for others and nature itself.
Let’s make this year one to remember for our local people. Le we bring back the 70+ years we lost in culture and cultivation. Like, on page 7 of CX this month we talk about the health benefits of pigeon peas.. Who from SXM don’t like a stew down pigeon peas or pease and rice?
Le we bring back the Friendly and Green St Maarten that not only our visitors come to enjoy, but one we took pride in.. We call her SWEET St Maarten \ St Martin land!
Hope you guys enjoy reading the months edition of CX as we cover a few interesting topics from culture to keeping you fit and all the in betweens with hopes to keep you culturally intoned for 2021. Love, Strength and Guidance ! – Wyatte
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