Knockalva ready to recapture old agriculture glory

Western Bureau:

Eighty-five years after the Hanover-based Knockalva Polytechnical College, formerly known as the Knockalva Agricultural School, was founded, efforts are now being made to revitalise the institution in the hope of restoring it to the strong agricultural focus it once had.

Anthony Lawrence, the chairman of the board; and Natalie Thompson, the principal of the institution, are currently collaborating on a project to bring back the glory days as it relates to attracting students with a desire to pursue a career in agriculture.

Lawrence, who graduated from Knockalva in 1974, has fond memories of the days when people who were interested in the business of agriculture would seek to acquire training there to develop the requisite skills to operate a farming business.

Reflecting on his days as a student, Lawrence said every student was given a special responsibility as it related to managing a particular area, which allowed them to master certain areas while also developing good leadership skills.

“You had practically every experience from managing the dairy section, the poultry, the piggery, and livestock management,” said Lawrence, who also noted that once a student completed training, they were usually fully equipped to make their mark in the agricultural sector.

According to Thompson, at present, the institution has seemingly lost its appeal, which is the reason why they are now making the effort to reposition the institution to reclaim the glory of the past.

“Right now, we have 60 students while there is boarding for 300. A recruitment drove is ongoing to have at least 200 students for September,” said Thompson, whose long-term goal is to see all the rooms available for boarders occupied.

With Lawrence and Thompson now resolute in their bid to seek partnership with persons willing to help rebuild Knockalva’s agriculture programmes, there efforts have not gone unnoticed as retired banker and cattle farmer Lisle Phillips has donated two pure-bred heifers to help the school’s bid to bring back cattle rearing to the levels of former years.

“When I was approached and asked if I want to be a part of the rebuilding of the agriculture programme, it was a pleasure to say yes,” said Phillips. “I have always been a community person, and giving back is a part of my DNA.”

Another farming stakeholder, Philbert Thompson, who is also interested in seeing a return to the glory days at Knockalva, has decided to donate seven storage machines to the programme. The combined value of the donation is $450,000.

“I want to see our youngsters taking an interest in agriculture, so I am ready to support this programme in any way I can,” said Thompson.

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