Antigua Adventist Primary Students Win Island-wide AgriFest 2026 Competition

Their creative kale-based snack, developed from the school garden, earned top honors for quality, innovation, and presentation.

May 19, 2026 | St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda | Royston Philbert and IAD News Staff

The Antigua Seventh-day Adventist Primary School won first place at the inaugural AgriFest 2026 competition, with young students impressing judges through an innovative, all-natural product developed from their school garden.

Their award-winning product, “Ah We Chips,” is a kale-based snack praised for its quality, creativity, branding, and strong presentation during the competition. The winning third-grade team included Scarlet Phillip, Nekalette Pryce, Coriary Aracena, Alaia Josiah, Brianne Smith, Daniel Jeremiah, and team captain Chezair Williams.

Hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Agriculture Forum for Youth (ABAFY), the event brought together primary school students in an agro-business competition challenging participants to create, brand, and present agricultural products to a panel of judges.

Students explained that the name “Ah We Chips” reflected their ownership of the entire process—from planting and harvesting to production—highlighting their hands-on involvement at every stage.

“This initiative gives our students the opportunity to connect learning with real-life skills,” said Principal Robert Nicholas. “It encourages creativity, entrepreneurship, healthy living, and teamwork while helping them appreciate the value of agriculture and practical education.”

The project was a collaborative effort involving Antigua Seventh-day Adventist Primary School staff, who assisted with photography, product labeling, promotion, and video production.

The school has actively trained students in gardening, sustainability, and agricultural innovation through hands-on learning projects tied to its school garden program. In 2024, students also gained international recognition after winning an international agriculture hackathon challenge with a project focused on sustainable farming and food production solutions.

Special recognition was also given to Oniel Appleton of the Old Road Seventh-day Adventist Church tech team for producing the promotional video currently circulating on social media platforms.

Hands-On Learning Through Agriculture and Innovation

AgriFest 2026 was designed as more than a competition. The initiative celebrates the island’s agricultural, cultural, and culinary traditions while promoting local food security, supporting agriculture, and encouraging the next generation of farmers. The event also integrated innovation themes by combining farming with technology and entrepreneurship.

The festival featured a large farmers’ market showcasing locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and plants, reinforcing the importance of sustainable agriculture within the community.

For the students, the experience extended beyond farming. Team captain Chezair Williams described the journey as “inspiring and rewarding,” noting that it helped strengthen teamwork, responsibility, and creativity.

Participants were required to develop market-ready products, giving students early exposure to entrepreneurship and innovation within the agricultural sector. Judges commended the overall quality of the entries and encouraged students to continue exploring agriculture.

Teacher Vallincia Henry credited the achievement to divine guidance and the students’ dedication, saying the experience reflected the school’s commitment to its motto, “Education for Life.”

Claudine Webb-Josiah, agriculture science teacher, who has consistently integrated agriculture into student life through projects involving peppers and kale, reflected on the accomplishment and the role faith played throughout the process.

“Truly, all the moving parts that made this accomplishment possible were God-driven,” she said. “Everything from the inspiration of the recipe to the packaging and advertising of the product was all God.”

Webb-Josiah added that the initiative provided “a wonderful opportunity to produce a healthy product by our own people” that could potentially create additional income to support learning institutions while offering a healthy and tasty snack alternative.

She also said AgriFest created an opportunity to showcase the tremendous potential of students at Antigua Seventh-day Adventist Primary School while reinforcing the importance of healthy eating and encouraging young people to become involved in growing their own food.

Education director for the South Leeward Conference, Cheryl Morris praised the initiative and highlighted Webb-Josiah’s consistent efforts to integrate agriculture into student life.

Recognition for Young Achievers

At the close of the competition, students received medals, certificates, and prizes, including a cash award from the Ministry of Agriculture and agricultural equipment from the Central Marketing Corporation.

Students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent their school, acknowledging the support of teachers, parents, mentors, and staff members who guided them throughout the process.

School officials said the Adventist school’s success underscores the value of integrating practical skills into education, reinforcing the church’s commitment to wholistic development by nurturing the intellectual, physical, and spiritual growth of its students.

Founded in 1934, the Antigua Seventh-day Adventist Primary School is part of the global Adventist education system and has earned a long-standing reputation for academic excellence. Operated by the South Leeward Conference, the school has grown into one of Antigua’s leading Christian educational institutions, committed to developing well-rounded students prepared for service, leadership, and lifelong learning.