Farmers, fishers, and the public are invited to town hall meetings hosted by the Food and Farm Council to learn about the official V.I. Agriculture Plan as well as the group’s achievements and long-term goals.
The 17 members of the Local Food and Farm Council work to promote the mandates of the V.I. Agriculture Plan that was ratified by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and the V.I. Legislature in 2021 – 2023.
According to Lisa Herbst, who works for the council, the presenters include co-chairs Louis Petersen, commissioner of V.I. Agriculture, and Safiya George, president of the University of the Virgin Islands. They and others will provide an overview of the plan and outline its future goals, then ask the audience for feedback.
“We look forward to updating the community on the important progress we’ve made toward the eight mandates of the Agricultural Plan, including resources that will aid the farming and fishing communities to advance productivity and sustainability.” Petersen wrote.
The council has also provided funding for farmers. A dozen farmers received grants in 2024, each for a minimum of $15,000. A total of more than $500,000 was granted funding from the Legislature through the V.I. Economic Development Authority.
“A resilient and equitable food system isn’t built overnight,” George wrote. “It demands sustained collaboration, transparent governance and a shared commitment to putting community needs first.”
The series of town hall meetings, titled “USVI Agriculture Plan in Action: Together for Our Islands, Our Food, Our Future,” will be held on St. Thomas on Oct. 6, St. Croix on Oct. 8, and St. John on Oct. 27.
The first two will be held on the University of the Virgin Islands’s campuses, the LaVerne E. Ragster Administration and Conference Center on St. Thomas and the Great Hall on St. Croix. The St. John meeting will take place at the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, St. John Annex Conference Room.
Members of the council include individuals from the University of the Virgin Islands, as well as representatives from the V.I. departments of Agriculture, Education, Health, Planning and Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife, Fisheries, and the Economic Development Authority and several farmers who work with the council.
Those who wish to observe virtually, click here.
