13-year-old farmer shows the age-less face of agriculture
PHOTO: Matthew Thomas (left) and Sherwin Foster hold up their trophy after the Champion Youth Farmers Competition at the Denbigh Show last Saturday.
When we hear ‘agriculture’, it’s hard to deny that the face we picture is one that is weathered and age-worn. But the fact is, agriculture isn’t always a profession from ages ago.
The 64th Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show concluded last Monday with showers of rain showcased this. Included in the three-day event was The National Farm Queen Competition and Champion Farmer Competition. Both events paraded a cross-section of farmers who not just varied in tactics but age.
One of these farmers was 13-year-old Matthew Thomas. Apart from being a student at the Glenmuir High School, he is the former holder of the Champion Youth Farmer title awarded at the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show. He proudly runs his own livestock farm in Clarendon. Though he didn’t defend his title, he walked away with two first place spots for the sheep he entered and also managed to get a first and second place prize for his cows.
Matthew’s farm, TrinJam is run by his team which consists of himself, his father and Sherwin Foster – who assisted him during the competition. 19-year-old Foster in addition to working at the Farm is a student at the Ebony Park Heart Academy. He lists his primary roles as ‘showcasing’ the animals and being responsible for drafting all the business plans. On the farm, the feed of choice is Nutramix, a brand which has been supportive of aims to bring more youth to agriculture.
Thomas and Foster aim to demonstrate that as the economical state of the country continues to fluctuate, there is a need to change the ancient perspectives on farming. Nutramix, they say has been supportive of this move with their ongoing campaign of empowering youth in the sector.