Charles Leonard and Nathaniel Tuitt were honored as the 2012 crop and livestock farmers of the year, respectively, at the St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair held this month on the grounds of UVI’s Reichhold Center for the Arts. This year’s theme was “Agriculture: Key to Improving Our Economy.”
The two, long-time St. Thomas farmers headlined the list of other competition winners. Their selection was announced during the fair’s opening ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 3. The annual fair, which continued through Nov. 4, featured tempting displays of some of the best locally produced fresh produce, plants, arts and crafts, and specialty products. With most of that available for sale, fairgoers eagerly took the opportunity to re-stock their pantries and buy early holiday gifts. Along with the popular displays of large and small animals, this year’s event also featured a demonstration of the “Quick Tank” Aquaculture Systems, developed at UVI, that grow tilapia fish while producing plants.
The first-ever coal pot lighting contest, designed to provide an entertaining cultural and historical perspective, drew four enthusiastic contestants and was won by Kingsley Saunders.
Another new effort, a youth cell phone “texting” competition, attracted lots of interest. The competition was suggested, organized and conducted by the local youth groups Environmental Rangers and Sankofa Saturdays. It was won by Lukata Samuel. Each competitor was required to answer questions about the fair, and compose and send the answers in text messages of 140 characters or less. The messages also had to be written in complete sentences and without abbreviations.
Complete List of 2012 St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair Winners
Farmers of the Year
Charles Leonard – crop
Nathaniel Tuitt – livestock
Best Tasting Sweet Bread
1st Place – Ellen Murraine
2nd Place – Theresa Davis
3rd Place – Christal Powell
Coal Pot Lighting
1st Place – Kingsley Saunders
Youth Cell Phone Texting
Lukata Samuel
Tekur Ludvig
Kimio Andrews
Livestock Category Winners
Sheep
1st Place – Cyril LaPlace
2nd Place – Etienne Frett
3rd Place – Lionel Boschulte
Goat
1st Place – Lionel Boschulte
2nd Place – Etienne Frett
3rd Place – Lawrence Boschulte
Rabbit
1st Place – Joel Connors
2nd Place – Lawrence Boschulte
3rd Place – Lawrence Boschulte
Poultry-Commercial
1st Place – Etienne Frett
2nd Place – Joel Connors
Cattle-Beef
1st Place – Henry Richards
Swine
1st Place – Garry Pemberton
2nd Place – Lawrence Boschulte
Poultry-Waterfowl
1st Place – Lawrence Boschulte
2nd Place – Lawrence Boschulte
3rd Place – Lawrence Boschulte
The 2012 Fair also featured container gardening displays, composting workshops and tree grafting demonstrations. Entertainment was provided by DJ Ubba and Ah We Band, with dancing by the St. Thomas Heritage Dancers. Children’s games and pony rides were available both days. During the opening ceremony, members of the CYFAR – Children and Families at Risk – after school youth program recited the 4-H motto, pledge and song.
The UVI Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Program conducted a food drive on both days. Food collected was donated to Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army.
The St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair is sponsored by the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, with support from Fintrac. For more information contact the CES office at 693-1080.
