4-H Clubbities Benefit Under Goat Revolving Programme

The St. James 4-H Parish Advisory Council continues its quest to improve and expand goat production in the parish through its Goat Revolving Programme.
On Friday (December 18) three goats were presented to three student clubbites, bringing to 10, the number of animals that have been distributed under the programme since the start of the year.
The recipients were: John’s Hall All-Age student, Nickesha Thorpe; recent graduate of Montego Bay High School, Vanessa Anglin; and former Maldon High School student, Jacinth Ambersly.
At the presentation ceremony held at the Montpelier Research Station, Vice Chairman of the Advisory Council, Winston Ritchie, explained that under the programme, clubbities are presented with a pregnant ewe, and when it gives birth, the first female kid is given back to the 4-H Movement to be placed in the revolving programme.
He said that the St. James 4-H Advisory Council plans to continue the programme “until it has just about saturated the parish with upgraded animals.”
Pointing out that the revolving programme is being run on a non-profit basis Mr. Ritchie informed, “it is for the training of the youngsters and the population in general in goat rearing and what it can do for each and every family, who has goats.”
“So, we want to increase the goat population in the parish and at the same time teach people how to take care of these animals,” he added.
St. James Parish Co-ordinator, Ms. Fiona Banton, in her comments at the handing over ceremony, explained that the programme supports the training of clubbities in goat rearing and management.
Recipient, Nickesha Thorpe, expressed appreciation for being chosen under the programme, and promised to take good care of the animal and to share with the other members of her club.