✨Earth Day Is Our 12th Birthday! ???? Click & see what we’ve been up to!

We are gearing up for our 4th Annual LEARN TO SWIM Program at CTI! This FREE summer community program provides 80+ children and adults with critical swimming and drowning prevention skills.????????‍♀️

Photos: Top 
Renderings from the concepts presented by Clemson University’s Landscape Architecture students invite curiosity and provide sustainable development ideas that transform and enhance the bayfront area. 

Photo: Bottom Left
An undergraduate student from the design studio explains the inspiration and intricacies of her concept. 

Bottom Right: The OEF Executive Team visited Clemson University in South Carolina to view the student’s designs and to sign an official MOU with the university that will foster future collaborations. L to R: Lane Glaze, President OEF-US and Professor of Practice at Clemson University; Shawna McCartney, OEF Executive Support Officer and Deputy Chief Councillor, South Eleuthera District Committee Member, Tarpum Bay Township; and Keyron Smith, OEF President and CEO. 

In late December, the annual Harbour Island Pickleball Tournament & Fundraiser rallied community support for a noble cause. 

With paddles up and spirits high, participants came together for a day of friendly competition and philanthropy to spread holiday cheer and raise funds to support the students of CTI-HITS with technical training scholarships.

This investment in education and training will provide students from North Eleuthera with the opportunity to study at home and increase their skills and income-earning potential.

The collaborative efforts of participants, sponsors, and organizers exemplify the power of community-driven initiatives in effecting positive change. Special recognition is extended to the A-list team behind the scenes, including Tamara Lorey, The Friends of HITS, The Dunmore Hotel, and Pink Sand Spirit Co., whose dedication and generosity made this event possible. 

In partnership with One Eleuthera Foundation, Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing returned to Eleuthera this month, from March 9th to 16th, with a cohort of sixteen nursing students and four faculty members.

Under the guidance of local healthcare professionals, the team provided valuable support in government clinics and medical facilities in North, Central, and South Eleuthera.

The students gained invaluable insights into healthcare delivery in a rural setting. They assisted with taking vitals, conducting check-ups, and educating patients on health care and disease prevention.

OEF’s founders and Emory University have enjoyed a successful partnership since 2005. We are proud facilitators of this study abroad program and fostering a tradition of knowledge exchange and mutually beneficial cross-cultural learning.

One of the leading initiatives developed by OEF is the CTI Training Farm, which leads the foundation’s efforts in creating a more sustainable, food-secure future for Eleuthera and the Bahamas. The farm provides hands-on agricultural education and training to increase local subsistence farming and empower Eleutherans to reclaim their proud agricultural heritage.

Our goal is to strengthen and support existing farmers while attracting, recruiting and training the next generation of young farmers to ensure the viability and continuity of the industry.

The farm also aims to increase food security and community health through educational and training opportunities for local farmers and our community.
 

           CTI Farm Highlights: Let’s celebrate… 

• The return of “We Farmer’s Market” every third Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.
• The hiring of two new Farm Associates: Philantranique & Byron 
• NEWLY planted crops, including Beans, Broccolini, Swiss Chard, Beets, and multi-colored Bell Peppers.
• The launch of a 6-week experiential learning and volunteer project for 7th and 8th graders from Deep Creek Middle School.
• University volunteer visits by cohorts from Lee University (Cleveland, TN) and Suny Morrisville College (Morrisville, NY)
• Agriculture field trips with local schools including Preston Albury High School. Students from PHA learned hands-on about soil biology, sustainable farming, and the importance of local food production. 
• The launch of our CTI Intro to Hydroponics 8-Week Course.

“We Farmer’s Market” is back at the CTI campus in Rock Sound every third Saturday of the month from 10 am to 6 pm!

Bigger and better than ever, this exciting campus favorite resumed on January 20th and provides the local community with a one-stop-shop for a vibrant and hearty selection of organic produce, freshly harvested from the CTI farm along with in-season crops brought to market by other community farmers.

Market-goers enjoy a wide selection of artisanal crafts, authentic Bahamian products, and delicious food and pastries, plus thrilling games, farm tours and cooking demos.

This gathering provides vendors with greater access to customers and promotes shopping at home to boost our local economy and support Eleuthera’s business owners.

Community Outreach Highlights:

Top Left:
On March 2nd, the OEF staff participated in the Bahamas Hope Challenge, raising awareness and funds to support cancer patients in The Bahamas. OEF sponsored Eleuthera survivors from the Sisterhood of Survivors and The Cancer Society of Eleuthera to attend the event and participate in the 5K walk.

Top Right:
On March 12th, Principals from Eleuthera’s schools held a 1-day conclave in conjunction with the Ministry Of Education at the CTI Campus. Our campus serves as a FREE community meeting space for local organizations.

Middle Left & Right:
OEF recently constructed and donated bleaches to Preston Albury High School to provide much-needed seating for students.

Bottom Left and Right:
Staff from CTI and OEF participated in the Preston Albury High School Careers Day sharing information about upcoming technical courses that can lead to fulfilling careers and providing hands-on student demonstrations.

Environmental Projects & Highlights: 
 
Top Left:
Keyron Smith, CEO and President, and Kentisha Ward, Development and Grants Officer, attended The University of The Bahamas’ Conservation Conclave on February 1st and 2nd. The event brought together a diverse collection of experts, government officials, scholars, and leading nonprofits to address the challenges confronting the Bahamas in conservation and climate change mitigation. 

Top Right:
Representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources returned to Eleuthera to continue the groundwork for The Bahamas’ Digital Villages initiative. Reps met with local farmers, agriculture stakeholders, and the leadership of OEF for input. This initiative aims to elevate agriculture through the fusion of technology and education while fostering agribusiness connections between rural and urban areas. 

Middle Left:
OEF is preparing to introduce nature trails on the CTI Campus for bird-watching and nature-based activities. While expanding the island’s ecotourism offering, this project will also increase the breeding and feeding habitats for rare wintering birds, including the Kirtand’s Warbler. Friends from The American Bird Conservancy and the Leon Levy Preserve were on campus this month to discuss the project.
Middle Right: The rare Kirtland’s Warbler.

Bottom Right:
Department of Forestry and Ministry of Works representatives visited campus this month to view the Oasis Grow House and CTI’s farming operation. The group was gathering info and inspiration in preparation for their expansion of The Bahamas’ Botanical Gardens and community green space in New Providence.

Directed by brothers Oliver and Simon English, Feeding Tomorrow is a poignant documentary that examines the modern food system and its impact on the environment and human health. The documentary was seven years in the making and features onscreen interviews with agriculture experts, including Dr. Hauber.

The first footage was filmed in Dr. Selima and Tim Hauber’s very own dining room at their family-operated farm, Field to Fork, in Nassau Bahamas. Since then, the documentary has been featured at major film festivals around the US including the Woodstock Film Festival in New York.

To read more click here.

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