American Farm School celebrates 120th anniversary

Thessaloniki may be looking proudly at the future after finally acquiring a subway system on November 31, but there are many more things that the northern port city can boast. One of these is the American Farm School, a pioneering educational institution that makes Greece's second biggest city a true "nursery" for students of all school grades for its vocational training and adult seminars, and for the support it gives to young farmers.

Back when it was founded by the American missionary John Henry House in 1904, its aims were entirely different, of course. The city was under Ottoman rule at the time and House wanted to look after orphaned children from Greece and the Balkans by providing them with some knowledge in agriculture and animal husbandry. A lot has changed since then and thanks to its enduring ties with the United States, sound management, sponsors and solid...