NEW GREEN HOUSE FOR MANNING'S HIGH SCHOOL - Jamaica Observer - November 9, 2014

SOWING SEEDLINGS: Taylor McKenzie, 6th Form Student at Manning’s High School in Westmoreland and the Caribbean’s regional winner for agriculture for 2014 in the CXC examinations, demonstrates her talent of sowing seedlings in the new greenhouse donated to her school by Food For The Poor (FFP) and Digicel Foundation. Assisting with her demonstration is Richard Washington, head of the agricultural department of the school. Also observing is Othneil Carby (second right back row), Field Officer, FFP. (PHOTO: PETRI-ANN HENRY)

Manning's High School has received a renovated 1,500 square ft greenhouse from Food For The Poor Jamaica in partnership with The Digicel Foundation.

The administrators of the Westmoreland school said for months they had been seeking assistance with repairing their dilapidated greenhouse, as the continuation of the school's agricultural programme was threatened.

Richard Washington, head of the agricultural department, said a friend told him that Food For The Poor might have been able to assist, and so he sought their support.

"With our new greenhouse, our students can be exposed to more innovative ways of growing crops as against utilising traditional ways of tilling the soil, which is what most are familiar with. Now they can become involved in utilising new and advanced technology while at school," Washington said.

Acting principal Megan Berry also expressed delight about the new greenhouse.

"We are extremely thankful for the greenhouse which will enable our agricultural department to continue to do well in teaching our students about the theoretical and practical application of agriculture," Berry said.

"Having the greenhouse will also benefit the canteen, as we will be able to purchase produce at a subsidised cost. So it will not just be used for instructional purposes, but it will also supply the school's canteen with vegetables."

The school has previously received gifts of school furniture and cafeteria tables from Food For The Poor.

The new greenhouse has new shade netting, galvanised pipes, ultraviolet treated greenhouse plastic, water tanks, an electric water pump, screen filter, fertilisers, seedlings, flower pots, gutters and an irrigation system.

It will also assist students with their school-based assessments and foster the training of 4-H club members in crop care and management.

-Ainsworth Morris

(PHOTOS: PETRI-ANN HENRY)

THANK YOU, FFP AND DIGICEL FOUNDATION: Students of Manning’s High School along with (from left) acting principal, Megan Berry; agriculture teachers, Richard Washington and Demerce Guscott and relief development manager at Food For The Poor, Marsha Burrell sharing a moment in the newly refurbished greenhouse after the official handover recently.

THUMBS UP: Teachers, students and Othneil Carby (left), field officer in the agriculture department at Food For The Poor Jamaica, each give a thumbs up in celebration of the refurbished greenhouse handover to the school.

MANNING’S HIGH’S ‘NEW’ GREENHOUSE: The refurbished greenhouse at Manning’s High School located in Westmoreland.

TILLING THE SOIL: Richard Washington (front center left), head of the agricultural department at Manning’s High School, shows his students how to till the soil of the newly constructed greenhouse.