Latonya Linton, Contributor

The Jamaica 4-H clubs has, for years, played an integral part in exposing young people to agriculture and its importance to the nation. For the most part this has been achieved through its school-based clubs. Varied club activities allow students and young adult members to participate in activities such as the 4-H parish achievement days, summer camps, the youth in agriculture programme and the 4-H Boy and Girl of the year competition.

Last year Michael Griffiths, fifth- form student at Calabar High School in Kingston, was the 4-H Boy of the Year. He has been a member of the 4-H club since he was a student at the Ensom City Primary School.

"I became a part of the 4-H club because it was a requirement of Ensom City Primary school that persons in grades four to six should become apart of a club. Since the 4-H was open at the time I became a part of it," says Michael.

Cakes

His winning project focused on raising funds for his club through the baking and selling of cakes.

"I had a cake-baking project where I baked cake and sold it in my community. The aim of my project was to show how youths can make money from 4-H. So that is what I did," he informs. This cake-baking project raised more than $5,000 for his club.

The student adds that he got into cake-baking by watching and helping his mother. "My primary school wanted someone to enter the cake baking and decorating competition and I found myself battling out with some young ladies to represent the school," he discloses.

"After a few trials at school, the teacher decided to send me up and after that competition experience, I just became really hooked on the 4-H club," he adds.

Meanwhile, training coordinator for the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Lloyd Robinson, explained that persons who wish to enter the Girl and Boy of the Year competition must be involved in other areas of their club.