Developing the Agricultural Industry and its Economic Potential –

An OverviewLouis E. Petersen, Jr.

Commissioner, VI Department of Agriculture

Agriculture Town Hall MeetingGreat Hall, UVI Campus, St. Croix

June 26, 2013

*Abbreviated visual aid that accompanies the actual oral presentation*

Realizing the Economic Potential of Agriculture in the USVI

• Crop Production (fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc.)• Livestock Production (sheep, goats, pigs, etc.)• Value Added (processing, packaging• Energy Production• Agro-tourism• Related Job Opportunities (producers, managers,

processing, packaging, transportation, etc.)

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A Strategic Plan for Agricultural Development

• Land Resources• Water Resources• Training New Farmers• Training for VIDOA Staff• Outreach / Training for Current Farmers• Farming as a Business• Developing / Strengthening Strategic Partnerships• Identifying Target Crop and Livestock

Commodities

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Resource Investment in Agricultural Development

• Local Funding• Grant Funding (local and federal)• Inter-agency Investment• Public-Private Sector Investment

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Four Strategic Pillars of Agricultural Development

• Infrastructure Development – Water, Land Preparation, etc.

• Youth Development• Outreach – Technical Support, Training, etc.• Partnerships – Strengthening / Expanding

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Water Delivery Service For Farmers

• For the first time on the island of St. Thomas the VIDOA now provides a water delivery service for licensed farmers. The purchase of a 2,300 gallon water truck was possible as a result of funding authorized by the 2006 Sustainable Farming Act. This new initiative makes water purchase and delivery more convenient, timely and economical for producers.

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VIDOA Forms Partnership With Housing Authority to Increase Water

Resources for Farmers• As a result of a Memorandum

of Agreement established between the VIDOA and the V.I. Housing Authority (VIHA), the VIDOA has access to all water stored in cisterns at the various VIHA community developments sites throughout the Territory. The total cistern capacity on St. Thomas and St. Croix is 12,000,000 and 38,000,000gallons, respectively. This readily available source of water is trucked to farms upon request from producers.

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Infrastructure -- Terracing

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VIDOA Offers Water Tanks for sale to Farmers

• A total of 120 -1000 gallon capacity water storage tanks were purchased by the VIDOA for resale to farmers at a subsidized cost. The objective of this initiative was to assist crop and livestock producers to increase on farm water storage capacity to enhance production levels while creating less dependency on off farm water resources.

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Water Pump Installation project • The VIDOA installed a

new floating raft water pump system in a water storage pond in Estate Dorothea to increase water resources for farmers in that area. The 1,500,000 gallon capacity storage pond was previously off line and not available to farmers for the past 15 years.

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VIDOA Continues to Improve Water Resources for Farmers

• As a result of funding authorized by the 2006 Sustainable farming Act, the VIDOA purchased various farm machinery to assist farmers with land preparation, water delivery, and pond construction.

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Estate Bordeaux Water Standpipe Project

• This project idea was developed in order to make maximum use of a naturally occurring spring in the Estate Bordeaux farmland area on St. Thomas. By excavating a large basin downhill from the spring the staff of the VIDOA created a large 35,000 gallon capacity reservoir which is continuously filled by the flowing spring. Water is piped from the filled reservoir to storage tanks equipped with a standpipe connections.

• As a result of this project farmers can now access water from the newly established standpipe. This service provides a convenience and cost saving measure to farmers.

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Farm Road Improvement Project in Estate Bordeaux

• The VIDOA and the DPW partnered to conduct overdue improvement work on more than one mile of the main access road in the lower Estate Bordeaux farming community. The goal of these efforts are to improve drainage, the grading and surfaces of the roads in addition to repairing eroded and collapsed sections of the main farm route. As a result, farmers can now utilize this thoroughfare with much less difficulty. Furthermore, due to improved drainage conditions, the potential for flooding and erosion of the road infrastructure during heavy rainfall is expected to be greatly reduced.

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Well Drilling to Enhance Water Resources – Estate Bordeaux

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Fruit Orchard and Fruit Plot Establishment Project

Pineapple Plot, St. Thomas Mango Orchard, St. Croix

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Fruit Orchard Establishment Project Cont’d

Avocado orchard, St. Thomas Guavaberry Orchard, St. Thomas

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Fruit Orchard and Fruit Plot Establishment Project

Pineapple Plot, St. CroixMango and Avocado Orchard, St. Croix

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Estate Bordeaux Farmers Market

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The Young Farmers Training Program• Ten VI students benefitted from the

2009 Young Farmers Training Program, a partnership between the VIDOA, the VI Resource Conservation and Development Council, and Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in Georgia to expose secondary school students to career opportunities in Agricultural Science. The intensive three week course which was conducted at FVSU included field and classroom activities. Consequently, four of the participating students have decided to pursue studies in veterinary medicine, agricultural economics, and agricultural engineering.

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US Virgin Islands Receives Scholarships for Studies in Agriculture• As a result of collaborations

between the VIDOA and Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in Georgia, a full four year undergraduate academic scholarship is currently available for one eligible VI Student to pursue studies in Agricultural Science at FVSU. In addition, one scholarship is available for graduate studies in Biotechnology for an eligible Virgin Islands student with a background in biology, plant or animal science.

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Summer Employment with the VIDOA

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Outreach - VIDOA Launches First Website

• The VI Department of Agriculture has secured a website for the first time in its history. The vifresh.com site is designed to be a useful tool for the electronic sharing of current information regarding the department’s mission, programs, policies, and other initiatives to develop, support, and promote the growth of the USVI agricultural industry.

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Outreach - VIDOA Launches ‘Fresh From the Farm’ Radio Program

• The Department’s one hour radio program is aired each Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on WSTX 970 AM. In addition to the dissemination of information on project and program up-dates, the program features a ‘call in’ format which enables listeners to share suggestions and thoughts on agricultural issues. Technical support is also extended to listeners who call for assistance with gardening and farming endeavors. The program is hosted by staff of the VIDOA and its partner agency, the UVI Cooperative Extension Service.

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Outreach and Training for DOA Staff –Computer Literacy

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Outreach and TrainingDOA Staff Receives Training on New Computerized Equipment Grafting Workshop

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Outreach, Marketing and Economic Development

National Farmers’ Market Week, St. Croix

National Farmers’ Market Week, St. Thomas

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Resource Investment in Agricultural Development

• Local Funding• Community Development Block Grant• Specialty Crop Block Grant Program• Federal State Market Improvement Grant• WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program• Farmers Market Promotion Program

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The Virgin Fresh Beekeeping Project

• This initiative between the VIDOA, the UVI Cooperative Extension Service, UVI Small Business Development Center, and the Department of Tourism, and experienced beekeepers has resulted in 103 newly trained beekeepers throughout the Territory. This represents an increase in beekeepers by almost 700% between 2008 and 2010. The successful participants have employed these newly acquired skills to increase their income from honey production and sales, hive removals, etc.

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Outreach and Marketing – Subgrantsto Farmers to Improve Market Access

Through Labeling and Branding

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Outreach and Training

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Local Manufacturing and Sale of Beekeeping Supplies

• As a result of collaborations between the VIDOA and the Bureau of Corrections (BOC), a line of four products of beekeeping supplies is presently being manufactured and sold to local beekeepers for the first time in the Territory. The products are constructed by inmates at the BOC on St. Croix under the supervision of the carpentry instructor. Previously, all beekeeping supplies were shipped into the Territory from the U.S. mainland. This development saves shipping time and money while developing workforce skills to support a growing industry.

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Rototiller Rental Service• Rototillers are now

available for rent to licensed farmers only for the first time in the history of the VIDOA. This initiative enables farmers to be more independent of the VIDOA for land preparation and tilling services. Funding was made possible by the USDA Specialty Crops Block Grant Program.

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Virgin Fresh Marketing Campaign

• Branding and Promotion for the USVI• Building Territorial Pride• Uniquely Identifies Locally Grown, Processed

or Packaged Products

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Promoting Virgin Fresh Products During Caribbean Week of Agriculture

in Antigua

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Promoting Virgin Fresh During the Florida Caribbean Cruise Assoc. Meeting in Puerto Rico

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Promoting Virgin Fresh Products During FCCA Meeting in Puerto Rico

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Promoting Virgin Fresh Products During Taste of St. Croix

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Coral Bay Community Food Production Initiative

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New Greenhouse for St. John• In partnership with

FINTRAC, a local agribusiness entity, a new 10,000 sq. ft. greenhouse facility was constructed at the VIDOA facility in Coral Bay, St. John. This achievement has enabled the Department to increase the number and quality of vegetable and herb seedlings available to our clientele.

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Moving Forward

• Infrastructure• Youth Development• Outreach• Partnerships

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Partnership Support for FarmersMOU with VIHFA to Secure Leases for Farmers on VIHFA Acreage

Opening Ceremony at Bordeaux Farmers’ Market Celebrates Partnerships

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Estate Bordeaux Farmers Market Project

• The goal of this project is to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the current farmers market facility in Estate Bordeaux for the benefit of vendors as well as patrons of the market. This improvement is expected to encourage increased production among farmers and promote consumer support and purchase of local agricultural products. The VIDOA received funding for this project from the VI Housing Finance Authority’s Community Development Block Grant Program. Other partners in this infrastructure improvement initiative include the department of Public Works and the members of We Grow Food, Inc.

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Public-Private Partnerships• VI Waste Management Authority• VI Water and Power Authority• VI Energy Office• Department of Public Works• VI Housing Finance Authority• Department of Tourism• Economic Development Authority• Tibbar Energy USVI, LLC• University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative

Extension Service/AES/SBDC43

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Infrastructure – Up-coming Projects(Grain Storage)

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Grain Storage Facility Project

Funding is being sought through the Community Development Block Grant program to rehabilitate a donated grain storage facility for the benefit of poultry and livestock farmers on St. Croix.

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Infrastructure – Up-coming ProjectsPond Construction and Maintenance

CDBG Funds being sought to purchase 53,000 gal. irrigation tank

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Summer 2013 Training for Students (negotiations in progress)

• Alcorn State University

• Kentucky State University

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Outreach and Training

• Cooperative Business Model• Virgin Islands Poultry Cooperative • New Farmers and Ranchers Training

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The Virgin Fresh Beekeeping Project –A Model Initiative for Economic

Development• Lobbied for Funding• Planning• Partnerships Established• Financial Investment• Training / Outreach (12-Week Program)• Cooperative / Networking Approach• Sustainability (Initiative Continues to Grow Despite

Expiration of Funds)• Recognized Nationally as one of Three Model Programs

(Published in Summer 2012 USDA SCBG Bulletin)50

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The Beekeepers Buzzaar – an Annual Institution to Promote Education and Encourage AgriBusiness Development

Beekeepers Buzzaar, St. Thomas Beekeepers Buzzaar, St. Croix

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Developing Our Agricultural and Economic Potential for Future

Generations

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Questions / Discussion ???

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“It is difficult to believe that a substitute can ever be found

for the essential occupation of agriculture, a sacred task

conferred by God upon man to serve as the source of his well

being and the basis of his wealth.”

HIM Haile Selassie I

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The Home Grown Project• This collaboration between

the VIDOA, WTJX Public Television, The Housing Authority’s Youth Build Program, and the UVI Cooperative Extension Service was designed to encourage gardening initiatives in residential areas. The direct benefits to the participants include improved health and financial savings. This urban agriculture initiative has participants on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island.

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New Molasses Tank for St. Thomas Farmers

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Pond Construction Projects• As a part of our on-going

efforts to increase water resources for producers, a 2,000,000 gallon water storage pond was constructed in the Estate Bordeaux farming community on St. Thomas while a 3,000,000 gallon pond was constructed in the Community Gardens farming community on St. Croix. This increase in water resources is expected to contribute to enhanced levels of farm production.

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Thank You for Being on Team Agriculture

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VIDOA Refurbishes Animal Quarantine Facility

• The animal quarantine facility was in need of major repair for several years. Subsequent to significant refurbishing in 2009, the VIDOA facilitated the exportation of 23 Senepol cattle from Annaly Farms on ST. Croix. These exports were destined for Central America, South America, and the United States.

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Estate Bordeaux Farmers’ Market Project

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Backup Generator Installed at St. Thomas Abattoir

• On St. Thomas The VIDOA abattoir facility is located in Estate Nadir. During its approximately 50 year history the facility has never had a back up power supply. Through a partnership with VITEEMA the VIDOA has installed a generator unit at this facility for the first time. The generator unit was provided by VITEEMA and major installation support was provided by WAPA.

• As a result of this development operational downtime has been eliminated and slaughter operations can continue during power outages. In addition, meats held in cold storage for farmers are now protected from spoilage and loss.

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Infrastructure Cont’d.

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Developing the Agricultural Industry and its Economic Potential –

An OverviewLouis E. Petersen, Jr.

Commissioner, VI Department of Agriculture

Agriculture Town Hall MeetingGreat Hall, UVI Campus, St. Croix

June 26, 2013

*Abbreviated visual aid that accompanies the actual oral presentation*