FRIENDS OF THE AGAVE GARDEN NEWSLETTER Spring 2014

Welcome to the first edition of The Friends’ Newsletter. This will be emailed quarterly to the Friends and those expressing interested in joining this group of special supporters of Antigua’s Agave Garden, home of The Antigua & Barbuda Horticultural Society.

We would like to thank the following new Friends who have recently joined us:

Mr. Peter and Gwen Norton, New York City

Ms. Sharon Senko Academic Arrangements Abroad, New York City

Mrs. Kelsey Sparks, Isanti, Minnesota

Mrs Agi Clark, West Taghkanic, New York

Mr. Patrick Ryan and company, Antigua WI

Application Information to become a Friend to the Agave Gardens is given at the end of the Newsletter. COME AND JOIN US!

BACKGROUND OF THE AGAVE GARDEN

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda presented the strategically located 2 acres of land on Friars Hill Road to The Antigua & Barbuda Horticultural Society in 1982.This gently sloping wooded ground, well placed to attract Antiguans and visitors, was the subject of much discussion by members as to the best way to proceed with development to provide a Centre for the Society and a much-needed garden to demonstrate the great variety of plants and trees in our twin islands and the many facilities which such a garden should offer.

The land was cleared, leaving important growth in situ, and properly fenced thanks to the generous contribution of Patrick Ryan and company and the Horticultural Society.

It was then professionally surveyed so that sites for the required aspects were determined. An attractive gate was constructed and the trademark Agave plants placed outside the perimeter.

Plans were developed for the main building that will house a meeting room, library, greenhouse, shop, bathroom facilities and cafeteria. The structure will be of a traditional West Indian design, to be officially approved, and decorated with all the features, which we historically associate with our architectural heritage.

FINANCING

The Society applied for a GEF small grant, the initial donation of US$25,000, was received earlier this year with an additional $25,00 to complete phase one of the project by year’s end.

This was added to the funds that had accumulated in the bank account over several years, to provide a basis for the development. However, it was made clear that the Society was expected to match this generous donation by raising equivalent funds, and other reasonable stipulations are in place.

The paramount importance of financing is why the participation of the Friends and the increasing of membership are so vital to the project that aims to attract international awareness and support. It is hoped that while many of the Friends may not be resident in Antigua, they will follow events with the Newsletter, address any related queries to the Society, and participate whenever possible. Meanwhile it is aimed to increase the members of the Horticultural Society locally, and it is hoped they will enthusiastically attend regular meetings to deal with ongoing matters and be consulted on all relevant activities.

One requirement of the financial injection by the end of 20l4 is the construction of the basic main building, and this is the dream to become reality of all involved. A young local architect, Mrs. Simone Hadeed, is already working on the preliminary plans.

THE ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW

This is the most important event in the calendar, and the 20l4 event will take place at the Agave gardens on April 12 and 13^th the weekend before Easter, admission $10 adults, children free. Give family and friends the gift of a beautiful plant or a membership.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

An indication of the spin-off from the increased awareness of horticulture in Antigua is the fact that Barbara Japal hosted two groups from the exclusive cruise ship Sea Cloud 2 at her own beautiful garden on Lindsay Hill and the garden of another member Mr. Clement Samuel.

This group was participants in a National Trust Tour led by famous author Mr. Patrick Bowe of GARDENS OF THE CARIBBEAN and local ships’ agent Alexander Parrish. This horticultural tour operation will be developed by the society since many discerning cruise passengers, particularly those who are not so young, require more of the environmental tours and garden visits.

Land based visitors too are looking for an added dimension to their stay and

would like to know more about the beautiful flora and landscape around them.

INFORMATION REGARDING HORTICULTURAL QUERIES AND PROBLEMS

The Society aims to provide a “hot line” for queries. It is also concentrating on major problems that arise, such as Lethal Yellowing of our palm trees, which is posing a threat to the very essence of Antigua’s attraction.

Information on progress and new treatments will be posted in the Newsletter.

To become a “Friend” there is a range of annual membership subscription fees as follows: Donate on line [email protected] or send checks to Antigua Horticultural Society. P.O. Box W212, St. John’s Antigua WI

Corporate: $1000.00

Family: $350.00

Individual: $200.00

Pensioner: $50.00

Child under l5: $20.00

www.antigauhorticulture.com

https://www.facebook.com/AntiguaHorticultureSocietyOr telephone 268 725 5507

Please join us!

Antigua Barbuda Horticultural Society, Spring 2014, publishes this Newsletter

Comments and information for inclusion in the next ‘Friends Newsletter should be sent to:

Edna Fortescue [email protected]

Agave Flower

Horticultural Society networks to address lethal yellowing

Re printed from the Observer Newspaper

St. John’s Antigua- A non-profit organisation which deals with the protection of the country’s flora and fauna is coming to the aid of the government as it seeks to rid the country of the lethal yellowing disease.

President of the Antigua & Barbuda Horticultural Society Barbara Japal said her organisation is looking at instituting a number of programmes to help create a greater level of awareness.

The group is in the process of connecting with regional bodies to complement the work of the government.

Japal said the Society would be seeking to address the devastating disease by collaborating with other organisations across the region also affected by the virus.

“We have dialogued with horticulture societies in our neighbouring islands – Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis to share their experiences on a weekly basis just to keep us up to date with what’s going on,” Japal said.

She said the Society will also be producing information materials to be made available on its website.

Japal continued that, during the last four decades, outbreaks of lethal yellowing disease have killed most of the once prevalent taller coconut cultivars in parts of Florida and some Caribbean islands.

The president added that while coconuts are the most economically important palms affected by the disease, 35 other palm species are also susceptible to lethal yellowing.

The government, over the past few months, has been moving speedily to tackle lethal yellowing which has the potential to wipe out the country’s coconut industry.

Lethal yellowing results in the premature shedding of fruits and causes the leaf to become yellow, resulting in the plant dying within three to six months of the disease appearing.

The Plant Protection Unit, headed by Dr Janil Gore-Francis, has been tasked with rolling out a management plan to control the disease.