PORT MARIA, St Mary – Beaming with pride after receiving his award for St Mary 4H Youth Farmer 2023, Carlton Bell proudly declared that farming is in his blood.

That is why, even though the 18-year-old St Mary High School student will be pursuing a business degree in banking and finance at The University of the West Indies in September, he will not be giving up on agriculture.

“After leaving university I want to incorporate my studies with my farming,” Bell told the Jamaica Observer.

Currently Bell farms an acre of land on which he has plantains, bananas, 300 chickens, and two pigs. He will use his earnings to help fund his tertiary education. His father rears goats, chickens, and pigs, but Bell said going forward his focus for expanding the farm will be on chicken rearing and cash crops.

The young farmer’s love for agriculture was what spurred him into becoming involved with 4H. It is a relationship that began when he was in primary school.

“I would encourage my peers to become members of the 4H club as it teaches us a lot and shows one to be appreciative of the land that feeds us,” Bell urged.

It’s the most satisfying feeling, he said, when you are able to eat from what you produce.