Open Day showcases locals
(ZIZ)– As Agriculture Open Day entered its second day, local farmers, small businesses and other institutions took the opportunity to promote their goods and services.
From handicraft to paintings, the general public sampled the skills of locals in various fields.
Because Project STRONG trains young men in numerous skills, teacher Andrew Woodley says this is their chance to show what the students can do.
“We’re able to showcase the work that the children them do and we try to market them so the public can see what the students are capable of doing at Project STRONG,” he said.
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine was also represented, showing its role in local agriculture.
“We have examples of the grasses that are being used here. And then also brewer’s grain and silage that are new programmes that are being used to enhance the nutrition of the goats and sheep,” student Anna Wilson said.
The highlight of their booth was a life-sized preserved cow’s stomach that showed how the animal digests its food.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the compound Claudius Collins, better known as “The Nature Man” promoted the benefits of 100% pure cane juice.
“The sugar-cane been keeping us up for the past 400 years. I don’t know why some people think it’s too sweet and it’s causing a problem. I tell them directly, there is no problem using the sugar cane. It doesn’t affect the blood. Otherwise, lots of us would have one-foot in St. Kitts already,” he said.
Retired teacher, Angela Henry brought samples from her nursery as she tries to re-cultivate plants from earlier times.
“I want to bring back all the plants that they had long ago in St. Kitts so I’m trying to preserve the culture in plants. That’s what I’m trying to do,” she said.
The wide cross section of booths also included the Ministry Of Health promoting responsible sexual behaviour and a special face painting area for the children.
The 2014 Agriculture Open Day was held under the theme “Agriculture- Moving in the Right Direction.