Top back-yard gardeners rewarded following competition
OLIVIA DA SILVA (right) first place overall in the 2025 National Home Garden Competition receives her winnings from Minister of Agriculture Israel Bruce.
News
December 19, 2025

Top back-yard gardeners rewarded following competition

TROPHIES, IRRIGATION SYSTEMS and agricultural implements, were among the prizes granted to the top backyard gardeners who took part in the Independence back yard gardening competition organised by the Ministry of Agriculture.

(Left Photo) HEATHER STEWART (right) third place overall winner in the 2025 National Home Garden Competition receives her winnings from Israel Bruce . (Right Photo) PHYLLIS ANTOINE-PETERS (right) second place overall winner in the 2025 National Home Garden Competition receives her winnings from Minister of Agriculture Israel Bruce.

Rewarded at the prize-giving ceremony of the national home garden competition on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 were Olivia Da Silva, who placed first overall; Heather Stewart, who placed second; and Phyllis Antoine-Peters who placed third.

Da Silva also won the management of crop award; Stewart received the award for the highest yield; and Antoine-Peters also won the layout and mixed system award.

Other category winners were Dawn Jocelyn, who won the technology and innovation award, and Gertrude Solomon who won the sustainability award.

Delivering opening remarks at the ceremony held at the Girl Guides Headquarters, Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer Colville King said, “There is no question of the positive direct link between home gardening, self-identity, self-sufficiency at the family level, but also national food security and sovereignty at the national level.

“ In the past, many home gardeners were known for the aesthetics and the way that they beautify homes and make those homes unique.We in the Ministry of Agriculture, and in particular the Rural Transformation Unit, have been focusing on the extent to which we can use home gardens for food security.”

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