Rotaract Club members of Savanna-la-Mar paint the Savanna-la-Mar hospital on Labour Day last Monday
Some Jamaicans kept the the tradition of going to work on Labour Day by helping to give Jamaica a facelift, painting and doing repairs to Public buildings, roads, their offices, homes and more.
Kudos to all who could have used it as a rest day but decided to take on the manual labour.
Out of the many great Projects that Suga saw happening on that day, Suga would like to highlight the Repainting of parts of the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital by the Rotaract Club of Savanna-la-Mar and the Repainting of a Pedestrian crossing that was a joint project between the Rotaract Clubs of St. Andrew, Liguanea Plains, St. Thomas and New Kingston.
Members of the Rotaract Clubs of St. Andrew, Liguanea Plains, St. Thomas and New Kingston repaint a Pedestrian crossing on Labour Day last Monday
Sometimes Jamaicans may see Pedestrian crossings and still choose to cross the road at another point and put themselves in danger.
Hopefully the brighter Pedestrian crossings as a result of the work done on Labour Day will remind Jamaicans that they should cross there.
Remember to do your part to help Build a Better Jamaica.
Suga finally hit the South Coast a few weeks ago and stopped by Murray’s Fish & Jerk Hut.
You can get Steamed fish, Brown Stew fish, Fried fish, Curried Goat, Festival, Bammy and Soup on one side and on the other side you can get the usual Jerked Chicken and Pork and try their Jerked Rabbit!
Posted sign of Rabbit Meat Facts         N.B. There is a typo for no. 8
I had Fish soup, Jerked Chicken and Jerked Rabbit. The food was decent and affordable. Service was quick too. None of the dishes costed over $1000JMD. Definitely value for money.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed AgroFest last Saturday. There was no rain on the day and the night before got rain so the grounds of Jamaica College were not dusty or too muddy either. It was more organized this year and had a lot more local vendors and organizations participating. It is hard to highlight booths as everyone showed great effort in their presentations and what they had to offer. However, some still managed to stand out above the rest.
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) had plants, honey and more.
A booth had a Tissue Culture display for Irish potatoes and Ginger.
Gavin Hill had the greatest variety of animals. He had a cursing Parrot, Turkey, Rabbits, Hamsters and Birds.
Gavin Hill’s booth
Other farmers from Kingston & St. Andrew had Goats, Sheep and Rabbits as well.
It was thus fitting to have NutraMix and Hi-Pro there, suppliers of animal feed.
R: Suga with a Prize-winning Ram Goat
Jamaica 4-H Clubs, who were celebrating their 75th anniversary had Fruits, Eggs and Vegetables for sale.
The College of Agriculture, Science and Education had an Aquaculture display, Jellies, Chutney, Sauces, Vegetables, you name it.
AG Chem Plant Ltd. had Pesticides and Fertilizers suitable for farming and other needs.
The Jamaica Dairy Development Board is back in full swing. They have been training 200 farmers the art and science of dairy cattle husbandry to make an increase in dairy production and make it sustainable by increasing the dairy cattle population.
They ensure Herd recording, Herd management decisions and genetic evaluations.
They have been supporting the improvememt of institutions such as CASE and Ebony Park HEART Acadamy and others.
T. Geddes Grant Distributors Ltd. had their booth showing that they are suppliers of total Agricultural requirements to farmers and gardeners. They supply Herbicides, Feed, Farming tools and more.
The Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division as well as the National Irrigation Commission Ltd. had lovely 3-D models.
The WUSC Caribbean’s PROPEL (Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages) were represented. Their Canadian Project ensures safe, effective and efficient movement of produce from the farm to high value markets such as hotels, restaurants etc. Crops supported in this project include Greenhouse vegetables, Onions, Ginger, Irish Potato, Sweet Yams and Sweet Potatoes.
The Cottage Farmers won Best Display Booth but Suga didn’t find them t o be that impressive. They are usually low in the standings so kudos to them for making a big improvement this year.
Jack’s Hill Community did not compete this year but the Burgesses, well known in the community had an AgroFest 20th Booth displaying Programmes of the Past, lots of pictures with vivid AgroFest memories, Liqueurs, Wines, Mrs B’s Honey, Jelly, Bammy, Rabbits and more.
I must also mention the unique fruits they had that persons did not have to buy but could come by and sample such as Black Sapote, Jaboticaba, Pink Grapefruit, Suriname and Caribbean Cherry and Clementine. Who knew Cherries could be spicy? Naseberries and Ripe Banana were also there. Other booths had fruits as well including Melons, Pineapples, Otaheite Apples and more.
Mrs. Veronica Burgess of Jack’s Hill Community receiving her well deserved plaque of recognition and appreciation from Custos of Kingston, Steadman Fuller
Mr. Paul and Mrs. Veronica Burgess were recognised with plaques showing appreciation for 20 years of Support and Committed Partnership to the staging of AgroFest.
Jewellery, Pots, Clutch purses and Art booths were present as well. Certainly not a part of agriculture but definitely a part of Brand Jamaica, as the products were all locally made.
Top L-R: Claud Hoilett speaking with patron and Suga Bear, Kimberly Nesbeth. His pots depict the theme, ‘The Art of Clay is What You Can Imagine’
The winner of the Farm Queen Competition was announced too late, a bit after 7pm when it was quite dark surrounding the stage. AgroFest was advertised to be from 8am to 8pm. So they need to work on the lighting next year or finish all entertainmrnt within a certain time, because all the booths were pulled down by that time as well.
With that aside it was a lovely day. I enjoyed fresh coconut water, Jamaican food from Martin’s Jerk and Catering and my Guava slush. I also saw that the kids enjoyed the rides, bounce-a-bout, animals, clowns and balloons.
Christian Dawes-Fearon enjoying his balloon and painted face mask
Most importantly, I thoroughly enjoyed the Performance of the Breadfruit dance. How could you have AgroFest and not ‘do di dance’?!
Happy AgroFest 20th!
L-R: Exec. Director of RADA, Lenworth Fulton, President of JAS, Senator Norman Grant, Mrs Veronica Burgess of Jack’s Hill Community, Custos of Kingston, Steadman Fuller and National Farm Queen 2015-2016, Peta-Gaye Stewart of St. Mary
AgroFest 2016 will be held this Saturday on the Jamaica College grounds from 8am to 8pm for its 20th staging. The entry cost is $500JMD for Adults and $100JMD for Children.
You should expect to see and/or buy some of the best Food crops and Livestock produced by our Local Farmers, specifically from Kingston and St. Andrew.
AgroFest is not only a Farmers’ Market though, it is a Family event that will have entertainment for everyone, food and drinks on sale and of course, kids should be able to pet some of the animals.
Entertainment will include the Police Mounted Troop Exhibition, Guardsman Canine Display and Competitions such as the JAS ‘Eat Jamaican’ Cook-Off Competition, Farm Queen Competition and more.
Also keep in mind that it is not only important to bring the kids for fun and games but to let them have a look around to develop an interest in our local agriculture, broadening awareness that it can be a considerable Career option for them in the future.
Agriculture consists of a variety of skilled areas to be considered other than being a Farmer. There is the Scientific option involving manufacturing and production of Fertilizers and Pesticides, as well as Hybridization (Merging crops/plants together to change in size, colour, shape etc.), Tissue Culturing (Multiplication of Plants) and more. There is the Manufacturing/Engineering option with Agro-Processing and Technology providing opportunities in constructing and/or engineering greenhouses and irrigation systems.
So come on out to AgroFest tomorrow! Help Jamaica to use our own products to become more independent.
Yesterday was the 3rd staging of Fathers who Cook by Lodge Portmore at Ham Stables in Portmore from 12 noon to 4pm. The cost was $4000JMD for Adults.
The event was a Charity event in aid of Clifton Basic School, George Lee Foundatiom and other Masonic Charities including the Green Frog Gray Elephant Foundation. The Green Frog Gray Elephant Foundation raises Autism Awareness.
The ticket entitled you to 3 Meats, Staple (side orders) and a Drink. However food such as Burgers, Soup, Dessert and Snowcones came with your band as well. Drinks including Premium liquor were on sale.
Suga reached early before noon. I sipped on drinks and chatted with family and friends until food was ready at about 1pm. Service was quick and easy and there were hardly any lines. It is best to come to these types of events early. I was told that it was more organized this year so even for persons that arrived at about 2:30/3pm, shuttle service was provided by distant parking, entry to the venue was smooth and a second line was created for collecting staple, plates etc. All ladies, whether Mothers or not were given a rose upon entry and they did not run out. There was an endless supply of buckets with fresh roses. That was a nice touch.
Some advertised cooks were a no show this year but there was more than enough food for everyone and quite a variety. Highlights for Suga were the Roast Fish from Ellis and the Lion Fish from Huntley Watson. They were spicy, meaty and tasty!
Paul Robertson’s Lamb that is a hit every year sustained its high standard but was in high demand so finished quickly. So did the Pork Hock and Beans. Since I missed out on the Pork Hock when I was circling the tents again, I had Pork Belly, which was tender and had a delicious sauce.
Andre’s Shrimp Kebabs stayed a bit too long on the grill but had a nice flavour.
I was stuffed so missed out on Evon Lyn Cook’s Curried Goat, but next time.
The Dessert Station had assorted Cakes, Ice cream, Sorbet, Hershey’s Kisses and Ferrero Rocher. I am happy I caught the Cappuccino ice cream, whicj was delicious before that crazy rainbow one came out.
Ice cream with a View
Cal’s syrup definitely had  a presence with their Snowcones. What a blast from the past for Suga. I enjoyed my Strawberry Snowcone.
Gabby from Suga with her Strawberry Snowcone from Cal’s
There were no horse or pony rides but a Magician and Singers provided good entertainment as well as music from Stokey Love.
Sponsors were Jamaica Broilers Group, Caribbean Broilers Ltd., Fidelity Motors Ltd., IGL Ltd., Smart Mobile Solutions, Genus Pharmacy, Rights Bakery, Wata, Coca-Cola, Tru-Juice and JAA.
Jamaica Automobile Association signed up persons for a Free 6-month Membership for 24/7 Emergency Roadside and Accident Assistance including All-island coverage and Security but not Towing services.
Well done Lodge Portmore. Would Suga attend again? Maybe not consecutively but will make a trip out there another year.
The WUSC Caribbean’s PROPEL (Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages) were represented. Their Canadian Project ensures safe, effective and efficient movement of produce from the farm to high value markets such as hotels, restaurants etc. Crops supported in this project include Greenhouse vegetables, Onions, Ginger, Irish Potato, Sweet Yams and Sweet Potatoes.
