Everything from a plant care clinic and seedling sale to instructions in hay bailing and a youth farmers’ market will be featured as the territory takes part in the celebration of National Agriculture Week March 4 through 10.
The V.I. Department of Agriculture partners with the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service to increase awareness of all aspects of agriculture, with a focus on career opportunities in the food production industry.
This year’s theme is "American Agriculture: Feeding the Future, Filling the Gap."
Scheduled activities include radio appearances, school presentations and public outreach events.
On St. Thomas, Emancipation Garden will be the site of a plant care clinic and plant seedling sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 6. Department of Agriculture and UVI Extension Service staff will answer questions and challenges from home gardeners, farmers and the general public.
Basil, cucumber, beet and lettuce seedlings will be for sale.
Residents can bring samples of pest problems for identification and solutions, according to a department press release. The initiative is designed to assist both home gardeners and crop producers to increase production and profits.
An open house on St. Croix from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8 will feature a youth farmers’ market as well as hay baling and land preparation demonstrations and presentations from staff in the veterinary service, forestry, nursery, farm machinery repair and abattoir divisions.
Agriculture Commissioner Louis E. Petersen Jr. said, "This year will focus on our continued efforts to increase agricultural awareness among our youth."
Petersen said students will be introduced to the fundamentals of box gardening and drip irrigation technology. He urged the public to come and support the youth market which will showcase produce grown from school gardens throughout St. Croix.
For additional information, contact the department at 778-0991 ext. 228 or 774-5182.
