On Monday night, during a hybrid meeting held at the University of the Virgin Islands Conference and Administration Center on St. Thomas, the Local Food and Farm Council provided a detailed accounting of its eight-point agricultural transformation plan, revealing both significant achievements and persistent challenges in the territory’s food production system.
1. Regulatory Framework (Status: Not Started)
The first mandate of the Local Food and Farm Council remains “not started,” focusing on establishing a comprehensive agricultural regulatory framework for the Virgin Islands for the purpose of establishing clear, updated laws and definitions.
Preliminary work exists from previous councils, but the current body lacks the personnel to advance comprehensive legal reviews.
“When the Food and Farm Council coordinator comes on and that position is hired, that body of work will be passed to the coordinator as they can take it to the next step. So the prework has been done, but within the council, it’s not started yet,” Sommer Sibilly-Brown said, a local food systems advocate and the founder and executive director of Virgin Islands Good Food.
2. Business Development (Status: Active)
Commissioner Louis E. Petersen Jr. highlighted the Public-Private Partnership Investment Fund as a landmark achievement: “The program awarded over half a million dollars to grantees on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John, something we are very proud of. And we’re looking forward at this point to expanding this initiative.”
Shay Roberts, director of the VI Agriculture Business Center, reinforced the program’s impact: “Our centers operate across all three islands, and this year we’re actively assisting 23 clients while reaching out to over 80 participants in workshops and training. We focused this year on practical topics like organics, soil management, planting and pruning, livestock management, the types of skills that help strengthen production and sustainability.”
3. Coordinator for Local Food and Farm Programs (Status: In Transition)
The Local Food and Farm Council’s third mandate, establishing a dedicated coordinator for local food and farm programs, remains in a state of transition, with the position yet to be fully funded. The role has been identified as Sibilly-Brown.
For the past year and a half, Sibilly-Brown has filled the role on a volunteer basis.
“I have been serving in a voluntary manner for a year and a half,” Sibilly-Brown said. “We are building a full job description and seeking allocated funding.”
The coordinator is intended to serve as a link between the council, farmers, and fishers, ensuring the agricultural plan is implemented and that communication flows across all stakeholders.
4. Council Establishment and Oversight (Status: Active)
The fourth mandate of the agricultural plan centers on the formal establishment and ongoing operation of the Local Food and Farm Council, a body designed to guide and oversee the territory’s agricultural transformation.
The council brings together leaders from government agencies, educational institutions, and the farming and fishing communities.
“Our council represents a number of people with expertise across a number of different sectors,” said Safiya George, council co-chair and president of the University of the Virgin Islands.
Members include commissioners from the Agriculture Department, Economic Development Authority, and Department of Planning and Natural Resources, as well as representatives from the farming and fishing sectors.
The council meets every two weeks, providing a consistent forum for advancing the agricultural plan, sharing updates, and coordinating initiatives.
“We are committed to working with our local farmers, fishers, and community members. Prioritizing agriculture and creating the next generation,” George added.
5. Advisory Committee and Community Engagement (Status: Developing)
The fifth mandate of the Local Food and Farm Council centers on establishing a robust advisory committee and strengthening community engagement. This initiative aims to ensure that farmers, fishers, and residents have a direct voice in shaping agricultural policy and programs.
The council’s advisory committee’s structure and outreach mechanisms are still being developed.
6. Branding and Marketing (Status: Initiated)
The sixth mandate of the Local Food and Farm Council focuses on branding and marketing local agricultural products through the creation of a distinctive food and farm symbol. The symbol is designed to help consumers easily identify and trust products that are grown, raised, or processed in the Virgin Islands, supporting both local producers and the broader goal of food sovereignty.
Initial batches of stickers featuring the symbol have been distributed at community events, and the council is working to expand its visibility across the territory. Council members say the symbol is a key step in building pride in local agriculture and encouraging residents to buy Virgin Islands-grown products.
However, the council acknowledges that more work is needed to ensure the symbol’s credibility. Efforts are underway to develop a transparent distribution and monitoring system so that only qualifying products carry the mark. Leaders believe maintaining the integrity of the symbol, along with strong branding, marketing, and public awareness campaigns, will be essential for building consumer trust.
7. Education and Training (Status: Active)
The seventh mandate of the Local Food and Farm Council centers on expanding education and training opportunities in agriculture across the Virgin Islands. This year, the council reported significant progress, including the development of a comprehensive, 360-degree curriculum that integrates agricultural concepts into core subjects like math, science, and English. The new curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in agriculture and related fields, while also promoting sustainability and food security.
Student engagement has also seen dramatic growth. “We’ve increased our FFA roster from 25 to 150 students,” reported Cydney Meadows, director of Sustainability and Agricultural Education. The council has partnered with local schools and organizations to offer hands-on training, capstone projects, and outreach events that connect students with real-world agricultural experiences.
Despite these advances, the council continues to face challenges, particularly in retaining qualified agricultural educators. Council leaders say that addressing this issue will be critical to sustaining the momentum of their education and training initiatives and ensuring that the next generation of Virgin Islands farmers and food leaders is well-prepared.
8. Data Collection and Benchmarking (Status: Active)
The eighth mandate of the Local Food and Farm Council focuses on comprehensive data collection and benchmarking to guide the territory’s agricultural development.
Council leaders have partnered with the Eastern Caribbean Center to gather critical information on arable land, food costs, and other key metrics across the Virgin Islands.
By using accurate data and establishing clear baselines, the council aims to measure the effectiveness of its programs and track progress toward the ambitious Vision 2040 goal of producing 35% of the territory’s food locally.
St. Croix Source
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