Sat | Sep 20, 2025

Farm workers provide grant funding for St Bess Agricultural Science students

Published:Thursday | June 6, 2024 | 12:10 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
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Seated at front (from left): Eyon Gayle, supervisor with Gebber Farms in the United States: Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and social security (MLSS); Amanda Kirton-Hynes, marketing manager at GraceKennedy Remittance Services; and Delroy Palmer fro
Herbert McKenis
Seated at front (from left): Eyon Gayle, supervisor with Gebber Farms in the United States: Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and social security (MLSS); Amanda Kirton-Hynes, marketing manager at GraceKennedy Remittance Services; and Delroy Palmer from the MLSS, sharing pleasantries with the 22 grade 10 agricultural science students from 11 high schools in St Elizabeth who benefited from an academic grant of $660,000 from Jamaican farm workers on Wednesday.
Eyon Gayle, a Jamaican supervisor at Gebber Farms in the United States, yesterday, presenting a symbolic cheque valued at $660,000 to Sydney Pagon STEM Academy students Alec-Zeunio Williams and Demarco Weir and Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and so
Herbert McKenis
Eyon Gayle, a Jamaican supervisor at Gebber Farms in the United States, yesterday, presenting a symbolic cheque valued at $660,000 to Sydney Pagon STEM Academy students Alec-Zeunio Williams and Demarco Weir and Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and social security. The funds will provide grants to 22 grade 10 students from 11 high schools in St Elizabeth.
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Twenty-two grade 10 agricultural science students from 11 high schools in St Elizabeth on Wednesday received a share of $660,000 in academic grants to pursue their studies.

The grant was made possible by Jamaica workers who are employed to Gebber Farms in the United States (US) who raised the funds from their annual Jamaica Day celebrations while in the US.

Speaking at a handover ceremony at St Elizabeth Technical High School , Eyon Gayle, a supervisor with Gebber Farms, encouraged the students to do their best so that they could become competitive in the global community.

“Today, the workers of Gebber Farms are pleased to announce that we are giving $660,000 to 22 needy grade 10 agricultural students across 11 schools in the parish of St Elizabeth,” the Jamaican said.

Gayle, who presented a symbolic cheque to the value of the academic grant, lauded the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and GraceKennedy Company Limited for partnering with them in ensuring that the group of Jamaican farm workers were able to fulfil this initiative.

“To the students, let me encourage you to do well despite the challenges you may face. It is only temporary if you hold your heads high and strive for excellence,” Gayle said.

Labour and social security minister Pearnel Charles Jr praised the Jamaican farm workers for investing in the students.

“It is really pleasing, and I am very happy to see the Gebber Farms and the farm workers have chosen to not only be a representation of positive and to do good to the community, but you really reflect what true collaboration and partnership is about,” Charles Jr said.

According to Charles, the contribution being made by the Jamaican farm workers is testimony to how the farm workers envision their Jamaican community.

“There is nothing better than identifying the children who need help the most. And for us to be providing 22 students from schools across St Elizabeth with these grants, totalling $660,000, for me that speaks volumes about what you’re about, not only what you’d do for the community, but how you feel and think about the community,” Charles Jr added.