Welcome Friends and Supporters of the Virgin Islands Local Food and Farm Council
I am Dr. Safiya George, serving as both the Co-chairperson of the Virgin Islands Local Food and Farm Council and President of the University of the Virgin Islands. It is my pleasure to extend heartfelt greetings to you as we proudly unveil the brand-new Virgin Islands Local Food and Farm Council website.
My appreciation for agriculture began during childhood while spending many years in 4-H programs and visiting my brother’s pigeon peas farm on St. Croix. As a lacto-ovo-vegetarian-pescatarian, I personally value healthy eating and local produce and fish. I am honored to have the privilege of guiding you through the exciting initiatives and vital work of the Local Food and Farm Council as we embark on a journey to provide you with a wealth of service and opportunities to enhance our local food systems. I take immense pride in continuing to champion the mandates and objectives of the Plan.
This innovative roadmap established the Local Food and Farm Council in alignment with Mandate 7 and 8, the 35th Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands subsequently ratified it under Act No. 8716, Bill No. 35-0049. This legislative milestone underpins our unwavering commitment to advancing our agricultural industry and ensuring sustainable growth and food security.
The Council shall comprise 11 dedicated members, each with a unique role in nurturing and bolstering the agricultural sector in our breathtaking islands. Spanning from government officials to valued community members, our council is a reflection of the diversity and resilience in our agricultural community, which has now expanded to include the fishing industry.
The Local Food and Farm Council’s responsibilities cover a broad spectrum of activities, from amending the Virgin Islands Agriculture Plan to providing invaluable insights on policy adjustments, supporting the newly established Agriculture Business Center that offers farming business consulting, creating matching grant programs, fostering collaborations with local and federal agencies, and actively engaging with our community to ensure food security. Our comprehensive scope reflects our overarching goal: to sustain and elevate agricultural productivity and food security in the territory to benefit our fellow Virgin Islanders.
Additionally, I am delighted to present the Council’s progress on two pivotal mandates (7 & 8) dedicated to empowering farmers who are passionate about sustainable agriculture and cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders:
Mandate 7: Development of education, training and workforce development
- UVI’s School of Agriculture in the Communications, Technology & Online Learning Department, we offer computer workshops to farmers to build their technology skillset in Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint, we teach them how to use a tablet, how to leverage creativity using the Canva program to advertise. On Dec 5, we graduated 25 farmers in this certificate program. This program is open to both students as well as farmers and the general public.
- UVI publishes and offers agricultural bulletins, books on medicinal plants, and recipe books on both islands to promote knowledge sharing and support individuals pursuing careers in sustainable farming.
- A transformative initiative aligned with this mandate is the “Seeds of Security” pilot program spearheaded by VI Department of Education. This visionary pilot program aims to seamlessly introduce agriculture education to six schools across the territory for PreK-12 grades. It integrates agricultural education seamlessly into core subjects, fostering an early understanding of agriculture and cultivating agricultural leaders for the future. Key features include grow bags, container gardens, hydroponic or aquaponic system provisions, and initiatives to reduce food waste. Drawing inspiration from the Ag in the Classroom, this curriculum incorporates badges and will offer rewards to celebrate student’s achievements.
Mandate 8: Strengthen Local Food Systems & Food Security
- UVI’s School of Agriculture engages with the community via various outreach efforts such as hosting the nationally recognized annual Agricultural Fair on St. Croix. The Ag Fair is a vibrant celebration that highlights the island’s agricultural heritage, local farmers, artisans and businesses. This annual fair focuses on innovative and sustainable farming practices, local cuisine while fostering community connections and promoting food security in the VI.
- Community events like our Ornament Festival where kids create holiday ornaments from scratch, and the Baking Workshops, are huge hits on both islands where learning to make black cake and sweetbread provides a tasty way to honor our favorite cultural desserts.
- At our School of Agriculture, researchers like Amy Dreves have made significant strides in integrated pest management, contributing valuable insights on plant maintenance and effective pest control strategies.
As we move forward, we invite you to engage actively and offer your support in our efforts. We encourage you to visit this website, which serves as a key resource for information about our current activities, innovative projects, and significant accomplishments. Here, you’ll discover an abundance of valuable resources, updates on our ongoing initiatives, and numerous opportunities to collaborate with us in our mission to enhance our local food and farming systems. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the agricultural and food sectors in our community.
Thank you for visiting our website, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with you to shape a sustainable and resilient future for our beloved Virgin Islands community.
With Care,
Dr. Safiya George
Co-chairperson of the Virgin Islands Local Food and Farm Council and
President of the University of the Virgin Islands