USVI Agriculture Gets First Specialty Crop Grant > Southern Governors’ Association

USVI Agriculture Gets First Specialty Crop Grant


Caribbean Net News October 6, 2008 Economic Development ST THOMAS - The US Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture has received funding approval for its Specialty Crop Block Grant proposal. “For the first time the US Virgin Islands is eligible and has received these grant monies which have been previously available only to the 50 contiguous states and Puerto Rico,” said Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen. The Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 authorized the US Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Marketing Service to provide nationwide assistance for the promotion of specialty crops. Under the statute, the Secretary of Agriculture made available grants to be used by State Departments of Agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. However, the US Virgin Islands was not eligible. Through a massive lobbying effort, Commissioner Petersen with the support of the Office of Governor John deJongh and Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen advocated for the amendment of the federal law to include the US Virgin Islands as an eligible jurisdiction. “These efforts proved to be fruitful; following the passage of the Farm Bill in May 2008 the Virgin Islands became eligible for the first time to receive funding through the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program,” Petersen said. Subsequently, a proposal was submitted by the Agriculture Department on September 8, 2008 and funding in excess of 100,000 dollars has been awarded to the agency. “In 2009, the VIDOA is eligible to receive 163,000 and in excess of 183,000 in each of the years 2010 to 2012. By the end of the period covered by the Farm Bill of 2008, the Virgin Islands will receive in excess of 900,000 towards the development of its specialty crops program.” Petersen explained that funding awarded for the VIDOA’s ‘Virgin Fresh’ Apicultural Project' will establish a model system for the production, harvesting, and the marketing processes required to create and maintain profitable apicultural (beekeeping) businesses and to stimulate growth of the local apicultural industry. Apicultural specialty commodities such as honey, beeswax, and bee pollen have excellent production and market potential in the Virgin Islands. These specialty items will be packaged and sold at farmers’ markets, restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets. Production of these specialty products is feasible due to the year-round growing season, and a significant market exists among local residents and tourists alike. The project, Petersen said, will be implemented in partnership with the UVI Cooperative Extension Service, the Department of Tourism, and experienced beekeepers in the territory. In addition, Petersen said that during a nationwide teleconference meeting the VI Department’s ‘Virgin Fresh Apicultural Project’ was given special recognition by Trista Etzig, Project Manager as one of the four most outstanding initiatives with respect to project value, innovation and uniqueness. Petersen acknowledged and commended the efforts of Mr Daniel Stanley, VIDOA Director of Marketing, for conducting the necessary project research and for assuming the lead role in the preparation of the grant proposal. Local farmers are already operating successful beekeeping businesses on St. John and St. Croix. ###