Bermuda could be heading towards an agricultural revolution if the people behind a new gardening workshop have anything to do with it.

The Ministry of Health’s free Grow, Eat, Save Gardening Workshop has been hailed as one of the biggest community gardening efforts in the island’s recent history.

More than 100 people graduated from the second, most recent, class, which took place throughout August and September in collaboration with the Department of Parks.

A further 60 graduates, including this reporter, completed the first series held in March. There are typically about five classes per workshop.

Chaplain Kevin Santucci, who has donated his time, effort and expertise, tells his graduates that they have an opportunity to be part of a growing movement. And he hopes to one day see a community garden in every parish in Bermuda.

Participants have the opportunity to build their own gardens on dormant sites provided by the course, so a successful student can reap the rewards of free fruit and vegetables grown with their own hands.

Students are entitled to minor discounts at selected nurseries and are connected with other gardeners through events including talks, lectures and seed exchanges.

The aim of the class is to help locals save on their grocery bills while helping to build a healthier, more sustainable Bermuda. And if the movement truly catches on, it could save the Government money by helping to manage unused arable land around the island.

The graduation ceremony, which was held at the Botanical Gardens last month, was attended by Walter Roban, the deputy premier, Director of Health David Kendell, Minister of Health Kim Wilson and Minister of Public Works Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, as well as Mr Santucci and the 100-plus graduates who all received complimentary seedlings for their gardens.

Mr Santucci said: “I think everyone needs to know how much joy we all find in doing these classes for free. As I have said many times before, if every person in Bermuda was giving back to the community for free at least three hours a week, what a better Bermuda we will have. Imagine how much money we would save the Government and help the country.”

Mr Roban took the opportunity to talk about getting back to the way Bermuda used to be,

He said: “Our country has changed quite a bit since those days and in many ways that has not been good for our health.

“As you know, we have a high rate of diabetes in Bermuda. Learning to grow food can help change that trend among our people and popularise the concept of cultivating our own crops for our families, and benefiting from that on a seasonal basis. Physical activity also complements that.”

The course has been strengthened by the knowledge of Mellonie Furbert and Cymone Hollis, government nutritionists, Claire Jessey, entomologist for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Students from previous workshops are given the opportunity to volunteer in future classes, enabling them to give back, share information and solidify the knowledge they have learnt.

Norwood Salam, from the Bermuda Agricultural Group, said at the graduation: “The Department of Parks is going to help in any way that it can to make sure that these type of initiatives grow, that they continue to grow and that they are a success.

“There is a lot of arable land unused at this time — we just need facilitation to get all that worked out so that these can become community gardens. It brings a sense of community.”

It is hoped that more governmental and non-governmental agencies will get on board and support the workshops.

The third in the series of Grow, Eat, Save Gardening Workshops is due to take place in January.

•Anyone interested in signing up can e-mail: gardenministry17@gmail.com or call: 278-6467.For more information visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groweatsaveworkshop