Arthur A. Richards Junior High Dedicates Poultry Farm

ST. CROIX -- At a brief ceremony held at the Arthur A. Richards Junior School on Wednesday, University of the Virgin Islands, Department of Agriculture and Department of Education officials lauded the dedication of the school's first poultry farm, made possible through the institution's Future Farmers of America program. But while the officials conveyed their pleasure, it was Velda Hendricks, the school's agriculture teacher, who demonstrated the most passion and excitement about the program, which she started in April 2014 with ten students. This year 23 students enrolled, and Mrs. Hendricks said her goal to see her entire class of 80 agriculture students become members. F.F.A. is an intercurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of three components of agricultural education, according to the program's official website. Mrs. Hendricks said she became interested in the program while attending a hunger boot camp in ...