CLARENDON, Jamaica — Approximately 95 poultry farmers in Clarendon have received over 4,000 baby chicks and 90 bags of feed from the United Way of Jamaica in collaboration with the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS).

The support was provided to farmers who lost their livestock and farms in Hurricane Beryl and were further stalled by tropical storm Rafael.

Clarendon farmer admiring one of many chicks donated from the United Way of Jamaica. (Photo contributed)

President of the Grantham Farmers Group, Glenroy Stewart said the support will make a significant difference in recovery, stating “Hurricane Beryl affected the farmers greatly, but today will help them to bounce back.”

Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Monday at the Denbigh Show Grounds in Clarendon, Parish Manager of the JAS Charles Killenback said, “Famers, we have had some extraordinary weather this year.  And farmers are suffering dearly.  Some farmers have suffered more than others, with some persons losing their chicken house and their birds.”

This disbursal from the United Way of Jamaica’s Farmers’ Rehabilitation Fund will give famers in Clarendon the help that they need.

United Way of Jamaica staff and volunteers donate 90 bags of feed to Clarendon farmers. (Photo contributed)

Taneshia Stoney Dryden, chief executive officer of United Way of Jamaica, thanked the 11 donors for this campaign, specifically Scotiabank Canada, whose generous donation funded the Clarendon outreach.

“Scotiabank Canada is making today possible, where we can intervene and support over 90 farmers,” Stoney Dryden said.

She also spoke to the importance of the partnership between the United Way of Jamaica and the Jamaica Agricultural Society in mobilising funds and reaching farmers.

“When you talk about partnership, when you talk about people who love what they do and are committed, when you talk about people who know how to serve grassroots people – you talk about the Jamaica Agricultural Society,” she continued.

Meanwhile, President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, Owen Dobson spoke to the resiliency of farmers in Clarendon.

“We have been going through a very rough time as farmers.  We have to think about picking up the pieces and moving on,” Dobson said.

Committing to the farmers of Clarendon, Stoney Dryden said “I want to say thank you to our farmers. Thank you for feeding us back in Kingston.  Thank you for the work you do. And thank you for your commitment because you could have thrown down your hands at Hurricane Beryl and recently Rafael.  You could have given up. You could have thrown in the towel but we are fighters. We’re Jamaicans.  We are resilient.  We push through.  We’re not going to give up.  And the United Way and Jamaica Agricultural Society, we’re not giving up on you — we’re not giving up on you Clarendon.”

To date, the Farmers’ Rehabilitation Fund has raised over $12 million of its $20 million target and continues to seek support through donations to the United Way of Jamaica which go directly to support farmers and the farming communities across the southern parishes recover from Hurricane Beryl and other tropical storms.