Desmond Henry WITHOUT WISHING to seem ungracious or mean-spirited, the recent award of the Order of Distinction (OD) to Glen Henry of Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, is both welcome and puzzling. Welcome, because at long last the most definitive and accomplished individual in the development of occupational goat farming in Jamaica appears to have been no longer forgotten for the introduction of that craft. Puzzling, because once again it exposes the chasm-like disconnect between those in Kingston who subjectively determine the awardees, and the rest of Jamaica where great individual deeds often go unrewarded.
To a man, almost everyone who called with a congratulatory message asked the same question: Why did it take so long? In other words, how come an individual like Mr. Henry who stands out not just shoulders, but multiple heads-to-toes above anyone else in the field of commercial goat farming, seemed to have been like a delayed after-thought. Ask anyone from Negril to Morant Point who is the single most human model in the development of this art in this country over the last 40 years, and you get the same answer like a stuck record Glen Henry of St. Elizabeth. Indeed, one who is quite knowledgeable in the way of agricultural trends said to me not so long ago: "What Glen Henry has forgotten about practical goat rearing, I doubt if the most advanced technologist in the ministry has yet learnt."
He was the most competent authority unto himself and hundreds of others, with whom he shared his knowledge. The St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foun-dation recognised this a long time ago, when he was awarded the "Best of St. Bess" prize in agriculture. Sure he's my brother, and perhaps I'm somewhat constrained to write as openly as I would have, about someone else. Human nature. But as I have already written substantially about his monumental practices in this field, let me highlight some of them again for those who may have conveniently forgotten.
TRANSFORMED
Glen Henry uniquely and single-handedly transformed goat farming in Jamaica from an insecure rope and tether, neck brace and barbed wire, hit and miss backyard operation, into modern commercial, scientific, open pasture farming. He moved it from a practice of scattered uncertain distress, to one of predictable success. Goat rearing took on all the accepted forms of modern successful cattle rearing practised worldwide. He pastured, branded, herded, dipped, medicated, experimented and alternated breeds of quality goats, in ways that had long been common practices on cattle farms. He made the "hog wire" replace the barbed wire, or no wire at all, as the symbol of successful goat rearing across the entire country. He personally brought the first set of Nubians into the island, and through a programme of selective cross-breeding, upgraded the entire quality of goat's meat in butcher shops and on every dining table. His farms have been willing showplaces to local interests and to international study tours. His expert advice has been sought left, right and centre worldwide. In today's world of the exaggerated misuse of phrases and titles, he stands out as a legitimate legend and icon in the field of goat farming.
And as rural folks continue to experience an almost existential non-interest in their lives and patterns by city folks, this long overdue recognition reminds us of a much too theoretical relationship between Kingston and the rest of Jamaica. Many have commented on the wide void now existing between rural accomplishments and city centres, where most of the national decision-making processes reside.
TEACHING LEGENDS
We've watched in the field of education for example, where rural teaching legends are bypassed in having schools named after them, in a reflexive-type practice of naming highways or public buildings mainly after flirtatious politicians and others. Rural Jamaica feels that for too long, the substantive relationships between rural and urban have been far too theoretical rather than practical. Again, I ask that the existing manner and systems used for determining national honours be made open for public scrutiny and debate.
Whatever happens, the entire goat farming community of Jamaica especially the southern districts of St. Elizabeth are delighted at Glen Henry's O.D. selection this year, and share in yet another proud community recognition. As a final measure of the scope and stature of this area son, I would like to suggest that we go one step further and rename the existing livestock station at Hounslow to his name and memory.
The Bottom Line: Never tear down a fence, before you know why it was erected.
Desmond Henry is a marketing consultant formerly based in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, now residing in north Florida.
