AgroSuede Backyard Gardening Dominica
Commonwealth Point of Light 99. Mitchel John
Mitchel John, representing Dominica, is the founder of ‘AgroSuede Backyard Gardening’, which teaches young Dominicans to transform vacant backyard plots into cost-cutting, environmentally friendly gardens via innovative online tutorials.
Inspired by his love of gardening and a passion for environmental causes, Mitchel has encouraged thousands of young people to take on disused backyard gardens, using creative techniques to grow their own food. Mitchel also promotes recycling and eco-friendly agriculture, with his video tutorial on transforming disused tyres into vegetable planters reaching over 100,000 people. Through his thousands of online subscribers, Mitchel is pioneering economical and sustainable agriculture across the island.
British High Commissioner in Dominica, Janet Douglas, said:
“I am delighted that Mr Mitchel John has been selected as a Commonwealth Point of Light for Dominica. The work that Mr John and ‘Agrosuede Backyard Gardening’ is doing to inform people about the importance of eco-friendly cultivation and sustainability is truly inspiring. It is particularly heartening that young people are being encouraged to develop environmentally sensitive habits by Mr John’s effective use of social media.”
Mitchel said:
“I am humbled by the fact that pursuit of a simple passion in the area of backyard gardening and dissemination of information has led to this momentous recognition by Her Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth. I am grateful to have been nominated, to receive the Commonwealth Points Of Light award on behalf of my country, Commonwealth Of Dominica.
“I am also accepting this award on behalf of ‘Agrosuede Backyard Gardening’ and all our faithful subscribers on YouTube. ‘Agrosuede Backyard Gardening’ will continue to promote organic backyard gardening, healthy eating, water conservation and recycle. Agrosuede seeks to operate under goal #2 of the UN Sustainable Development Goal, which can address goal #1 and goal #15 as more individuals are exposed to Agrosuede video production.
“I would like to encourage anyone reading this, to do what they love and do it to benefit the world to make it more sustainable and wholesome. Thank you.”