From a Little Farm to the Top: My Journey in Agricultural Science by Brea Watkins

My journey in Agricultural Science is one that I never imagined would take me as far as it has. What began with simple visits with my uncle, Enrico Hunte, on the farm grew into a genuine passion for agriculture, strengthened through my years at Sir Novelle Richards Academy (SNRA), the guidance of my teachers and mentors, and the unwavering support of my mother, Wonda Hunte.

Where My Passion Began

My interest in agriculture started at a young age through my uncle. He would take me to the farm, where he harvested lettuce and introduced me to different aspects of farming. I remember seeing the crops growing and learning about the work that went into producing food. Those experiences sparked a curiosity in me and gave me an appreciation for agriculture beyond simply seeing it as a school subject.

As I grew older, that curiosity developed into a passion. When I began studying Agricultural Science at SNRA, I became more interested in understanding how plants and animals grew and how different agricultural practices can affect production.

Growing Through My Academic Journey

Throughout my academic years, Agricultural Science became one of the subjects in which I consistently challenged myself. I worked hard to understand both the theoretical and practical sides of the subject. I was proud to place first in my Agricultural Science class, and in Form 4, I received the SNRA Top Student for Agricultural Science Award.

These accomplishments encouraged me to continue pushing myself. They showed me that the effort I was putting into the subject was making a difference and motivated me to take every opportunity to learn more.

One of the most important parts of my Agricultural Science journey was completing my School-Based Assessments (SBAs). My projects allowed me to move beyond the classroom and apply what I had learned to actual agricultural situations.

One of my investigations focused on determining the effect of spacing on weight gain in broilers and determining the appropriate spacing for broilers at Sir Novelle Richards Academy. This project allowed me to explore how management practices can influence poultry production and taught me the importance of observation, data collection and careful analysis.

My second investigation focused on determining the response of lettuce to fertilizer application in loam soil at Sir Novelle Richards Academy. This connected closely with my early interest in lettuce farming, which made the investigation particularly meaningful to me. It gave me the opportunity to examine how fertilizer application can affect crop growth while developing practical research skills.

The People Behind My Success

No journey of achievement happens alone. Two people who played an especially important role in my Agricultural Science journey were my teacher, Mrs. Lee Williams, and my mother, Wonda Hunte.

Ms. Lee-Williams was more than just my Agricultural Science teacher. She was a mentor who helped me develop my knowledge, confidence and appreciation for the subject. Her guidance throughout my academic years and especially during my SBA projects helped me understand the importance of taking my work seriously and always striving to improve.

My mother, Wonda Hunte, has also been an important part of my journey. Her support, encouragement and belief in me helped me remain focused, especially during challenging moments. Behind every achievement is someone who encourages you to keep going, and for me, my mother has been one of those people.

Reaching the CSEC Level

All of these experiences eventually led to one of the proudest moments of my academic journey. After years of studying, practical work, research and preparation, I sat CSEC Agricultural Science.

My hard work was rewarded when I was named the #1 CSEC Top Candidate in Agricultural Science (SA General) in Antigua and Barbuda for June 2025. The official CXC results show that I achieved Grade I, with A grades in Papers 1, 2 and 3, placing me first among the listed candidates in the subject.

Seeing my name at the top of that list was more than an academic achievement. For me, it represented the journey from those early days visiting my uncle’s farm, to standing in the classroom, conducting my SBA investigations, receiving recognition at SNRA, and eventually becoming a CSEC top candidate.

Looking Ahead

Agriculture has taught me much more than how to grow crops or understand livestock. It has taught me discipline, patience, responsibility, research, perseverance and the importance of practical knowledge.

When I look back, I realize that my journey started with something very simple, a little girl visiting the farm with her uncle and watching lettuce being harvested. I did not know then where that experience would lead me.

Today, I am proud of how far I have come, grateful to the people who helped me along the way, and excited about where agriculture can take me next.

My journey in Agricultural Science may have started on a farm, but this is only the beginning.