Virgin Islands Good Food has secured a $30,000 grant from the Better Food Policy Fund, facilitated by the Tides Foundation’s collective action fund. This grant will support the Territorial Agriculture Group (TAG) project activities in 2024, with an additional $30,000 expected in 2025.

Virgin Islands Good Food and the Better Food Policy Fund stress the importance of civic collaboration in improving food policy. This funding will aid TAG, a coalition of farmers, advocates, and agricultural professionals dedicated to enhancing food policy and systems in the Virgin Islands, according to a release issued Thursday. TAG, predominantly farmer-led, is committed to integrating accountability, equity, inclusive governance, and leadership into its initiatives to build thriving markets and equitable food access for all Virgin Islanders.

With over fifty farmers, TAG represents a partnership across several farming organizations, all focused on creating a resilient and inclusive food system in the USVI. Collaborating with partners like the Alaska Food Policy Council, TAG aims to drive meaningful change and foster a healthier, more sustainable community.

Since its inception, the Better Food Policy Fund has engaged over 300 food policy council stakeholders to co-develop its initiatives, ensuring alignment with the stakeholders’ needs, the release states.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Better Food Policy Fund to support our mission,” said Sommer Sibilly-Brown, executive director of Virgin Islands Good Food. “This grant will empower us to make a meaningful difference in the Virgin Islands and further our commitment to agricultural growth.”

Robbi Mixon, executive director of the Alaska Food Policy Council, added, “We are excited to deepen our relationship and knowledge sharing with Virgin Island Good Food. Despite being 5,000 miles apart, we have much more in common than not. Supporting each other through reciprocal learning and sharing is an incredible opportunity to support farmers and agricultural growth across the territories and non-contiguous US.”

Representatives from Virgin Islands-based organizations serving farmers and agriculturalists expressed their appreciation for the grant, which aims to build cohesiveness and alignment.

Benita Martin, co-chairperson of We Grow Food Inc.’s Future Development Committee in St. Thomas, stated, “I’m in TAG, representing We Grow Food, Inc. Now is the time we collectively work as one Virgin Islands to move our food system forward to feed the people of the Virgin Islands. Grassroots organizations have always been at the forefront of making positive changes in any community.”

Yvette Browne, a member of TAG and co-owner of Sejah Farm in St. Croix, commented, “This partnership not only fuels our mission but also amplifies our dedication to fostering sustainable agricultural growth in the Virgin Islands. Together, we are poised to enact positive change and cultivate a future where food security and environmental stewardship thrive hand in hand.”

Nate Olive, president of Virgin Islands Farmer Alliance and owner/operator of Ridge to Reef Farm on St. Croix, emphasized the value of TAG as a resource for farmers and others in the agricultural sector. “One thing I like about the group is that no one owns the group as it is everyone’s fellowship group. We originally came together as TAG in response to a government-sponsored farming competitor licensed in Florida that was imported to VI with the support of VI elected officials to compete with our local agricultural industry. Today we continue to stand for fairness in our industry and demand the proper use of both federal and local taxpayer dollars to elevate locally owned farms as viable, competitive endeavors for the ultimate benefits provided to all Virgin Islanders.”

During a pivotal session at the National Governors Association’s 2024 Winter Meeting in Washington, Governor Albert Bryan of the U.S. Virgin Islands took center stage to voice the pressing needs of the territory’s agriculture sector and propose innovative solutions. As the co-chair of the Community Investment Task Force, Bryan emphasized the unique challenges and opportunities that the U.S. Virgin Islands faces, particularly the stark reality that a mere 3% of the food consumed in the territory is produced locally.

Governor Bryan has ambitiously set a target to elevate this figure to 35% by 2040, aiming to tackle the high costs and accessibility issues surrounding food for island residents. The path to achieving this goal is fraught with obstacles, including the scarcity of crop insurance, the harsh realities of climate change, and the devastation left by hurricanes in 2017 that severely damaged the territory’s infrastructure and natural resources. Bryan’s advocacy for the upcoming federal Farm Bill to include measures that bolster the agricultural resurgence in the Virgin Islands was a focal point of his address.

Highlighting the significance of recognizing and integrating U.S. territories in national efforts, Bryan remarked, “Part of this is about inclusiveness, remembering that the territories are part of America, they’re your America.” He pointed out the current exclusion of Virgin Islands farmers from federal crop insurance programs as a critical area for reform.

Bryan applauded the efforts made since the 2018 Farm Bill, such as the Local Agriculture Market Program and the creation of regional food business centers supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These initiatives have been instrumental in enhancing local food systems and resilience, further buoyed by the financial backing from the American Rescue Plan Act.

In a move to address broader societal issues, Governor Bryan praised the USDA’s summer EBT program, which ensures children receiving school lunch assistance continue to have access to meals during the summer break. He underscored the multifaceted impact of poverty, which affects both the economic and mental well-being of children and families. Advocating for a revision of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Bryan proposed a transformative approach where benefits would be restricted to healthier food options. This initiative aims to pivot consumer habits away from processed and unhealthy foods towards more nutritious choices, thereby fostering a healthier nation.

As anticipation grows for the new farm bill, set to replace the expiring legislation this September, Governor Bryan’s vision for the future of agriculture in the U.S. Virgin Islands is clear. He seeks comprehensive support for the territory’s farmers and ranchers, as well as initiatives to engage the youth with agriculture, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with the land as a fundamental aspect of life.

As the curtain falls on his esteemed career, Dr. David Hall prepares to bid adieu to his role as President of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), marking his final appearance at the Agriculture and Food Fair in an official capacity. His retirement, slated for just a few months away, signifies the end of an influential era in UVI’s history.

During the opening ceremony of Agrifest 2024, Dr. Hall expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Virgin Islands community for allowing him the honor to contribute to this “special and sacred industry.” Under his leadership, UVI has played a pivotal role in energizing Agrifest, highlighting the university’s commitment to advancing agricultural education and innovation within the territory through the launch of pioneering associate and bachelor of science degrees in agriculture.

Dr. Hall’s contributions extend beyond his presidency. As co-chair of the Food and Farm Council, a key component of the territory’s Agriculture Plan, he has been instrumental in elevating the profile of agriculture in the Virgin Islands. His humorous admission of not having grown anything personally in the last three years was coupled with a hopeful message about the enduring impact of the initiatives he has championed.

Tributes to Dr. Hall’s legacy were abundant, with Commissioner of Agriculture Louis Petersen and Senate President Novelle Francis acknowledging his visionary leadership and lamenting his departure. Dr. Hall was honored with gifts from local artisans, including a mahogany clock from Mr. Petersen, symbolizing the timeless nature of his contributions to UVI and the agricultural sector.

Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Hall shared his pride in the university’s enhanced focus on agriculture, from the establishment of the School of Agriculture to the expanded academic offerings that now obviate the need for external participation in the fair. His personal involvement in the Agriculture Plan and the Food and Farm Council stands as a testament to his commitment to fostering sustainable agricultural practices and education in the Virgin Islands.

Dr. Hall looks forward to witnessing the continued growth and evolution of UVI’s agricultural programs, a legacy of his dedication to nurturing the seeds of innovation and education for the benefit of future generations in the Virgin Islands.