Alkaline’s New Rules Festival Teams Up with Ministry to Launch Youth Agriculture Workshop in Trelawny
- dancehallleaguejm
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has joined forces with Dancehall star Alkaline’s New Rules Festival to launch New Era Agriculture—a two-day workshop aimed at introducing Jamaican youth to agriculture as a viable and culturally relevant career path.
Set for July 2–3, 2025, in Trelawny, just ahead of the New Rules Festival on July 5 at the Trelawny Stadium, the programme is a bold fusion of music, culture and national development. Under the theme “New Era Agriculture – Youth, Culture and Innovation in the Field,” the initiative will expose young Jamaicans to modern agricultural practices, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the intersections between farming and entertainment.
Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green lauded the collaboration as a strategic way to inspire a new generation of farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
“Attracting more young people to agriculture is a top priority of ours, and what better way to engage them than through the music and artistes they already love,” said Minister Green. “This partnership bridges culture and opportunity.”
Led by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, the programme will offer a hands-on experience for 25 selected youth, including:
In-person sessions on urban farming, agri-tech and agribusiness
Industry expert talks and panel discussions
A pitch competition with seed funding for the winning team’s agri-business idea
Concert tickets and national media exposure
Certificates of completion
Additionally, more than 50 young people from Trelawny will be trained and employed in paid roles supporting the New Rules Festival—from logistics and production to hospitality and customer service.
Kereena Beckford, Alkaline’s manager and organiser of the event, highlighted the vision behind the initiative:
“This is both a major cultural event and a meaningful platform for youth development. Alkaline believes in using his platform to create real impact.”
By bridging agriculture and entertainment, New Era Agriculture aims to redefine what’s possible for Jamaican youth—offering inspiration, access, and support to shape the future.
