GoodHeart | Jadalee Lindsay grows agricultural ambitions

Agriculture remains vital to Jamaica’s livelihoods and food supply, but among younger generations, the sector is often seen as offering limited opportunities for growth and innovation. Jadalee Lindsay’s journey offers a different perspective.

Growing up in Tom’s Hope, Portland, she was surrounded by farming communities and developed an appreciation for agriculture from an early age. Her connection was also personal, as her grandfather was a farmer. Seeing the work involved in producing food and supporting families through agriculture shaped Lindsay’s understanding of the sector and instilled in her the values of hard work, resilience and community.

Those early experiences influenced her decision to pursue agriculture as a career.

After attending Titchfield High School, Lindsay enrolled at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), where she pursued a bachelor of science degree in plant science.

“As I got older, my interest grew beyond farming itself,” Lindsay explained. “I became curious about the science behind crop production and how technology and innovation could be used to improve the way we grow food.”

Balancing the financial demands of tertiary education with her studies required Lindsay to find ways to support herself. While pursuing her degree, she worked as a self-employed nail technician.

“There were times when it was challenging to manage everything, but this taught me valuable lessons about responsibility, discipline, customer service and time management,” the 20-year-old explained.

The experience required her to manage her time and priorities carefully while staying focused on completing her degree.

It was during this period that the Ernest Johnston Memorial Bursary provided support through the St Mary Education Trust (SMET). Lindsay learned about the bursary through CASE, applied, and was selected as a recipient, receiving $300,000 in her second year of college.

The support continued through her fourth year as she exceeded the 3.0 GPA required for the bursary to be renewed.

“Receiving that support gave me encouragement to continue working toward my goals, especially during times when the financial demands of pursuing a degree could be challenging,” she shared, adding, “It reminded me that my hard work was being recognised and that there were people willing to invest in my future.”

With that support, Lindsay was able to focus more fully on her studies, practical training and professional development. As she progressed through her programme, she began to see agriculture as a sector where she could make a meaningful contribution, particularly by using innovation and technology to address practical challenges.

She put that interest into practice through her Cooperative Internship Education Programme with JP Farms. Working primarily on a special corn production programme, Lindsay gained first-hand experience in commercial agricultural production while applying the scientific knowledge she had developed at CASE.

Her responsibilities included field preparation, planting, crop maintenance, pest and disease monitoring, fertiliser and pesticide applications, irrigation, data collection and general field management.

The experience gave her a deeper understanding of the planning and adaptability required to manage a commercial crop.

She explains: “Working primarily with the corn programme gave me the opportunity to see the production process in a practical setting. Weather, pests, diseases and other challenges could affect the crop at any time, so I learned the importance of monitoring the field closely and responding appropriately.”

The internship showed Lindsay how the scientific principles she learned in the classroom translated to the realities of agricultural production. “CASE gave me the scientific foundation, while my internship helped me understand how that knowledge works in practice,” she explained. She completed her studies with a 3.69 GPA, which she considers one of her proudest accomplishments. She is set to graduate in November.

BUILDING EXPERIENCE

Today, Lindsay is building on her experience while exploring new ways to apply her knowledge. One of her major goals is to develop her own agricultural venture, Island Greens, which will focus on hydroponic production. She also plans to pursue a master’s degree in plant production to deepen her knowledge of crop production, plant development and innovative approaches to agriculture.

“I would like to be part of a generation of young agricultural professionals who are not only seeking opportunities within the sector, but are also creating businesses, introducing new ideas and creating opportunities for others,” she highlighted.

Lindsay sees agriculture as a field with room for young people to build careers across a range of disciplines, challenging the perception that opportunities are limited to traditional farming.

For students considering the Ernest Johnston Memorial Bursary, she encourages them to apply and believe in themselves, while recognising the responsibility that comes with educational support. Her plans for further study, an agricultural venture of her own and a career contributing to Jamaica’s agricultural development reflect her belief that there is still considerable room for young people to grow within the sector.

“I am grateful to have been a recipient of the bursary, and I hope my journey shows other young people that where you come from does not have to limit where you can go,” she added.

goodheart@gleanerjm.com