Frome Technical gets agricultural boost

For students at Frome Technical High School in Westmoreland, a donation of 400 chicks and 45 bags of feed may seem simple.

However, they are being encouraged to view it as an opportunity to learn, produce and explore a future in agriculture. The chicks and feed were recently handed over to the school by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, as part of efforts to support agricultural activities and encourage young people to pursue opportunities in the sector.

For Grade 11 student Alecia Smith, who has been a 4-H member for more than five years, the donation is particularly meaningful, as it provides students with an opportunity to see the results of their work.

“It (the donation) will improve our food supplies and ensure that we are properly fed when we reap, after the chickens have grown,” Alecia explained. Her journey with 4-H began in primary school, initially because she was required to join a club. However, what started as an obligation gradually evolved into an experience she came to value. Through her active participation in 4-H, Alecia developed new skills and gained valuable life lessons that extended beyond the classroom.

“I have grown a lot and learned many things … and found out that 4-H is a very good and self-improvement club,” she stated.

It is the kind of experience the Jamaica 4-H Clubs wants more young people to have, according to chairman of the organisation’s board of directors, Collin Virgo. For him, the chicks are a starter kit and an opportunity for the school to build on what it has received.

“So you’re going to expand on this and make it grow in the same way that you would if you were running your own business,” he said.

Virgo pointed to a 2016 memorandum of understanding between the education ministry and Jamaica 4-H Clubs that supported the establishment of school gardens and 4-H clubs in government schools across the island. The idea was not only to expose students to farming, but also to help supplement school-feeding programmes, create income-generating opportunities, and encourage healthier eating habits. Additionally, the Jamaica 4-H Clubs wants students to look beyond the traditional perception of agriculture as solely hard physical labour in the fields. For Virgo, modern agriculture is increasingly driven by technology, business and innovation, with young farmers using digital tools to monitor crops, assess soil conditions, track growth, and manage production.