With agriculture-themed competitions and activities for kids of all ages, the St. Croix 2017 Annual Agriculture and Food Fair encouraged local youth to not only learn how to grow their own food but also to consider becoming farmers as their profession.
Looking toward the next generation, the theme of this year’s fair is “Agriculture: Our Heritage and Hope for the Future.”
Student competition entries came from schools and youth groups in categories including best in show for educational exhibit, decorated hay bale and animal made of recycled materials, as well as an award for top poster, essay and poem.
The educational exhibits focus on the island’s agricultural heritage, while the hay bales highlight specific themes, including the promotion of recyclable bags and the complexity of beehives. Animals made of recycled items include a life-sized pig, sheep and peacocks.
China Jackson, who attends Alexander Henderson Elementary School, takes part in a youth group with the St. Croix Police Athletic League. For her group’s entry, the students displayed such woodworking items as clocks, plants they grew – including lemongrass – and bikes they refurbished.
“We learned how to take all the pieces of a bike off and to sand them down and paint them,” explained Jackson. “We also learned how to care for plants and make them grow.”
Sarah Smith, director of the fair’s youth activities, explained that the students are judged based on their creativity and use of materials for the craft-based events.
“We want to know how they came up with the idea and how they decided to bring it to life,” Smith explained, adding that the kids have to be the source of the overall design. “We want to see their critical thinking skills at play.”
Some students setup displays to raise public awareness about pressing environmental issues. Students from St. Croix Educational Complex High School and St. Croix Central High School set up a display to educate fairgoers about the impacts lionfish have on the environment and on marine ecotourism.
Since lionfish are edible and tasty, the students also served samples of them in an effort to encourage more Virgin Islanders to eat this abundant and therefore sustainable problem fish.
For the first time this year, high school-aged students who are members of local 4-H programs oversaw the petting zoo. Active in communities across the country, 4-H is a program in which students complete hands-on programs in agriculture, health and science under the guidance of adult mentors.
“We’re making sure kids are properly handling the animals and making sure they’re having fun,” said Rafael Ojeda, an 11th grader at St. Croix Educational Complex High School. Ojeda added that his 4-H group partakes in many community service activities.
Smith said people commented on how well the 4-H petting zoo was being run.
A youth farmers’ market was another first for this year’s fair. Area students were encouraged to sell produce and local goods such as tea and woodwork to create an economic incentive for their participation.
“Having the kids sell their items gives them the full depth and experience of being a farmer,” said Smith.
The fair also promotes cultural exchange. Boy Scouts from northeastern Pennsylvania participated in team-building exercises with local Scouts throughout the day Saturday.
Working together in groups, the Scouts used lumber and ropes to build towers. Each year, Scouts from Pennsylvania venture to St. Croix for their winter camping trip, which they purposely schedule to coincide with the fair.
The fair continues Monday with food, entertainment, fresh produce, local crafts and farm animals. Vendors will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
SATURDAY RESULTS
Educational Exhibits
Elementary
– 1st Ricardo Richards Elementary School
– 2nd Eulalie R. Rivera Elementary School
– 3rd Education Connection 21st Century Learning Center at Alfredo Andrews School
Junior High
– 1st John H. Woodson Jr. High School
– 2nd Elena L. Christian Jr. High School
High School
– 1st Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) – Welding Program
– 2nd CTEC Outdoor Power Equipment
– 3rd NAF Cyber Patriot Program
K-12
– 1st Good Hope Country Day School
– 2nd School of the Good Shepherd
Youth Groups
– 1st Boys and Girls Club of the U.S. Virgin Islands
– 2nd St. Croix Pony Club
– 3rd 4-H Ambassadors
Educational Exhibits Sweepstakes winner – Ricardo Richards School
Decorated Hay Bale
– 1st St. Patricks Catholic School
– 2nd Boys and Girls Club
– 3rd St. Croix Christian Academy
Farm Animal Frenzy
Junior Division
– 1st Education Connections CLCC at Alfredo Andrews School
– 2nd St. Croix Montessori School
Open Division
– 1st Good Hope Country Day School
Award for top poster, essay and poem were not available Sunday night.
