FUNDING EXTENDED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND GREENHOUSE REPAIRS
MONEAGUE, St Ann; Dec 3, 2025
The Moneague College sustained significant damage to its farm and greenhouse due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Now, thanks to the Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE-05) programme supported by the Canadian government through the Colleges and Institutes of Canada (CICan), Moneague College will receive additional scholarships and assistance to repair its damaged agricultural facilities.
For the past five years, Moneague College has benefited from scholarships, food processing equipment, study and experiential tours with several Canadian institutions, and that partnership has once again proven invaluable.
(Students in the Climate Smart Agro-processing programme tend to crops on the farm as part of their studies.)
At the recent opening ceremony for the new community learning hub on the main campus, at Moneague, Pat Biddart, Senior Technical Advisor of SAGE, announced that the programme had reviewed its budget and made provisions to extend relief funding from the Government of Canada. This includes CAD $20,000 in tuition scholarships for students enrolled in the Climate Smart Agro-processing programme and who were affected by the hurricane. They have allocated CAD $15,000 toward repairing the greenhouse, purchasing farm tools, and restoring the college’s vegetable production.
(Vegetables thriving in the greenhouse pre-Hurricane Melissa)
Biddart praised the College for being a committed and reliable partner over the years. “Moneague College has always shown dedication to empowering students and uplifting the community. We are proud to stand with them during this time of recovery,” she said.
Although the SAGE-05 programme officially ended in March of this year, Canadian support has continued through meaningful initiatives such as the establishment of a community learning hub—a resource that will benefit students and the wider Moneague community.
(Greenhouse set back by Hurricane Melissa)
Moneague College administration expressed gratitude for the continued partnership, noting that the institution has been working tirelessly to resume full operations despite setbacks caused by limited water and no electricity services following the hurricane. The support from SAGE will help accelerate the return to normality and strengthen the college’s agricultural and academic programmes.
(Pat Biddart, Senior Technical Advisor of SAGE, announcing support for Moneague College)
With renewed resources, strengthened international partnerships, and a hopeful community, Moneague College is firmly on the path to rebuilding—and thriving once again.
