Remembering Your Roots

It is very important for us to remember our roots as we journey into new

areas of the world. I am proud to be called ole cultivator, ole farmer and a
Texan. As Knockalva Agricultural School celebrates its 75th Anniversary
I am sincerely grateful to play my part in this momentous milestone. As I
reminisce on my years at KAS I must confess that most of my batch
mates including me viewed agriculture as completely labor intensive and
boring because we had different concepts of what we wanted in life and
agriculture was last on our list. The truth is we were given a second
chance to change what people thought about us because we were
considered as degenerates and good for nothing youths. I took an early
initiative to use my mistakes as feedbacks to make better decisions and to
become a better member of society. As the years go by I gradually
realized the importance of agriculture and how diversified it is because I
had to learn almost every science subject in order to be an effective
agriculture technocrat. I became hungrier for knowledge and agriculture had now found its place
in my heart. It is normal to face struggles, failures, and resentment because they are fundamental
when thriving for excellence. Nevertheless these experiences has helped me to build character
and made me more aware of whom I wanted to be, a teacher. Great teachers do not only teach
they inspire their students to achieve greatness and for that reason I have to give back to the
institution because of what it has done for me. After I completed my three years at KAS I went
on to the College of Agriculture Science and Education to pursue a degree in Agriculture
Education and then came back to Knockalva to inspire and teach the future farmer of Jamaica. It
has always been a challenge to get the youths more connected to agriculture because they have a
different mindset. I am hoping that KAS will continue to help our youths develop agricultural
maturity because anytime we has a nation cannot significantly help in feeding ourselves then we
are bound for destruction. I am prepared to help the agriculture industry and I am looking
forward to joint with other young agricultural technocrats to combat some of the issues that exist.
The more educated we are in this discipline the greater our impact in making technical decisions
to assist the agriculture sector. The secondary agricultural schools play a critical role because
they mold and supply the sector with young farmers. They also prepare them with the
underpinning knowledge that will provide the platform for them to manage college level
academics. However, the young inspired farmers need the support to be productive. It is very
difficult when taxes are high on the products necessary to produce food to help feed the nation. If
this problem continues to retard the growth of the sector then we as a group can alleviate the
issue.
It is important to note that universities and colleges should continue securing MOU
agreements with international universities to provide scholarships for passionate and intelligent
agricultural lovers who are willing to improve the industry. I must congratulate all the past
students and friends who made the efforts to secure a relationship with the Tarleton State
University a premier institution located in Stephenville Texas a member of the Texas A&M
University system. Knockalva has once more played her part in the agricultural industry after so
many year of struggles and yet to fall. I am counting on our past students because together we
stand but divided we fall and that is the truth motto of our institution. A true batch never leaves a
weaker person behind and the weaker person was never afraid to accept his or her limitation. I

understood this traditional principal as a student at KAS and this traditional principle is practiced
here in this university. It proves that no matter where we are from all agriculturalists speak the
universal language of agriculture. I am privileged to be a pioneer in the connection between both
institutions as the first teacher that was awarded a scholarship to study at the university. This
university is very conducive for learning and offers me a fair chance to set my class schedules
and select professors. There are centers for advising and tutoring for everyone who needs it. I am
grateful for this opportunity and experience because it allows me to look back to where I am
coming form. Attending an international university provides a chance for me to meet people
from different backgrounds of agricultural. It also offers an opportunity to make connections to
develop our agricultural practices, programs, and industry. To all of Knockalvas past students
who are working in the private sector, I am beckoning to you for your help in securing financial
support to provide scholarships for students to attend our institution. There are many others who
will make the sacrifice to be away from family to study so that they can play their part in
assisting the agricultural industry. I salute Knockalva Agricultural School has she stands 75
years as an institution and I pray that she continues to open a door for the late bloomers who are
willing to achieve excellence. I sincerely honor the staff and the students and I hope that you all
continue working together to develop our institution, making the Knockalva product attractive
for financial support. The students are the backbone of our institution and I hope that we
continue supporting them in becoming and remaining a part of this family.
Denver Green