Friday 22 July 2016

USVI AgDiscovery Camp 2016 Update

By Hope Thomas, UVICES Summer Intern under the direction of DaraMonifah Cooper, UVICES Communications Agent

Agriculture Youth Camp 2016 Highlights

By Hope Thomas, UVICES Summer Intern under the direction of DaraMonifah Cooper, UVICES Communications Agent
(Please note that an updated version will be uploaded by Wednesday 7/25/2016)

Wednesday 13 July 2016

Agriculture Nutrition & Sewing Camps Update

By Hope Thomas, UVICES Summer Intern under the direction of DaraMonifah Cooper, UVICES Communications Agent

Friday 8 July 2016

Bordeaux Farmers Market Construction Caution



VI Consortium Photo
Listen as Commissioner of Agriculture Carlos Robles announces that the Bordeaux Farmers Market will be open for business this Sunday 10am to 5pm for the biweekly farmers market.

“We are attempting to find a workable solution to make the market accessible to the vendors and patrons during the non-construction days.” 
Patrons are asked proceed to the market with caution avoiding the areas under construction.

Thursday 2 June 2016

160601 Radio Show | Agriculture Camp, Small Biz Week & United Way Collab

CES Communication Agent DaraMonifah Cooper
with John Osoinach and Mary Joe Williams of SBDC on 06/02/2016.
Photo by D'Ajahni M. Estrada-Petersen.
On this edition of our weekly radio show, 'What's Going on @UVICES', we spoke about our upcoming Agriculture Camp, SBDC's Small Biz Week and our recent Service Saturdays partnership with the United Way USVI. Visit: ces.uvi.edu for details Visit our blog for info about the Ag Enrichment Summer Samp.

Listen weekly, Wednesdays from 3-4pm on WUVI 1090 AM/97.3 FM or streaming live on www.WUVI.am to our weekly radio program co-hosted by UVI Extension Staff DaraMonifah Cooper and Christina Chanes. We share lively interviews with UVICES Community Partners, Stakeholders, Administrators, Staff or Current and Past Clients as we discuss experiences and examples of how we all work together eXtending Knowledge and Changing Lives in, “Responding to the needs of the community.”

JUNE 2, 2016 GUESTS & TOPICS: John Osoinach, Mary Joe Williams of SBDC

  1. Small Business Week | More info
    Our involvement with collaborating on communications/PR
    What you can expect at the awards ceremonies and workshops 
  2. Agriculture Enrichment Summer Camp at UVICES | 2015 Camp | Application
    Application is available on the CES website
    Who the partners are and how we are collaborating
    Summer camp 2015 & what you can expect during summer 2016 
  3. United Way USVI’s Service Saturdays | Pictures
    Our involvement 
Listen below to the interview and tune in weekly from 3pm - 4pm on WUVI (1090 AM/97.3 FM, via live stream or use the app on your smart device). 
Up Now or Up Next @UVICES
· Agriculture Enrichment Summer Camp | Application
· Farmers Marketing Course
STT or STX campus
·
Computer Trainings: Classes & Workshops
Call (340) 693-4090 (STX) or (340) 693-1081 (STT)


 CES PUBLICATIONS:

· Tropical Fruits of the VI Book | Book Cover

Listen in to our What’s Going on @UVICES weekly radio show
3-4pm Wednesdays on WUVI AM 1090, FM 97.3 or via online stream!

eXtending Knowledge; Changing Lives! Connect with us online: ces.uvi.edu
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | LINKEDIN | SOUNDCLOUD

2016 Agriculture Enrichment Camp Taking Applications


Applications are available for the 2016 Agricultural Enrichment Summer Camp which will be conducted June 27 – July 22, 2016 on the St. Thomas campus of the University of the Virgin Islands. The goal of this four week program is to increase knowledge and create awareness of career and work opportunities in the field of agricultural science. The second objective of this initiative was to equip the participants with job preparation skills through classroom presentations, practical exercises and field activities. The Agricultural Enrichment Summer Camp represents a partnership between the Department of Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and the UVI Cooperative Extension Service (UVICES). The students will participate in numerous field trips and engage in a wide variety of learning and fun-filled activities to stimulate their interest in the various fields of agricultural science. They will work directly with a diversity of agriculture professionals, including crop and livestock producers, landscapers, agricultural instructors, inspectors, enforcement officers, etc.

Exploratory exercises of career topics in agriculture will include:
  • Horticulture
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Livestock and poultry science
  • Landscaping 
  • Irrigation Technology

Field trips and hands-on activities will include:
  • Ivanna Eudora Kean High School aquaponic farm
  • two local landscaping & plant nurseries
  • tool safety & usage demonstrations
  • Introduction to 4-H & FFA Organizations
  • UVI Marine Science Center
  • US Customs and Border Protection canine inspection demonstration
  • plant propagation (e.g. grafting, air layering)
  • local farms
  • plant Identification
  • seedling production
  • irrigation system assembly


Learn what the students were taught from their various experiences in 2015 shown in these facebook pictures and this video collage:


Some of the areas taught to youth had to do with fruit production (horticulture) and veterinary science. We also exposed them to livestock production, poultry production and landscaping. They even got to do to lots of hands on activities such as putting together irrigation systems, planting their own seeds, starting their own seedlings and transplanting. Other skills that the campers picked up last year had to do with grafting. They learned how to graft plants properly and how to prune trees. We also got support from We Grow Food, Inc., as one of the field trips that we took was to Estate Bordeaux and Sister Benita gave us a really good presentation. Additionally, one of the farmers Charles Leonard and his daughter Brittany came in and spoke to the topic of agri-business.


It was a very dynamic and successful venture and we intend to do so again this year. The age range last year was from 14 – 18 years old and we intend to keep that in place for the next time. We are looking forward to another program this summer and are informing the public that if they know youngsters interested in being a part of this summer camp, please let us know.

Farmers WIC Voucher Acceptance Meeting

Local farmer Ras Amaha selling produce at their monthly farmers market in Bordeaux, St. Thomas, USVI.
Photo by: DaraMonifah Cooper
The WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program Training was held on Thursday, June 9, 2016 from 6-8pm on St. Thomas in the Neil Weiss Hall of the University of the Virgin Islands. At this training and authorizing process, farmers were able to complete the required application and sign the agreement. Farmers were encouraged to attend and, if available, brought their photo ID, health card, farmer’s license, or business license, tax clearance letter and the schedule F tax document. VIDOA Director of Marketing Services, Billy Abraham, visited St. Thomas to share a presentation on the program, explained how farmers can participate, entertained a question and answers segment then authorized farmers to accept WIC Cash Value Vouchers.

New Ag Marketing Director Billy Abraham facilitated WIC Training
According to the USDA, the WIC FMNP was established by Congress in 1992, to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of, and sales at farmers’ markets. The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, popularly known as WIC. The WIC Program provides supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education at no cost to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding post-partum women, and to infants and children up to 5 years of age, who are found to be at nutritional risk.

The goals of the USVI WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) are: Farmers market setting

  1. To provide WIC participants with checks to purchase locally-grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at farmers markets.
  2. To provide WIC participants with nutrition education and the resources to encourage the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.
  3. To increase the awareness and use of farmers markets.

For more information: 
BILLY ABRAHAM
DIRECTOR, MARKETING DIVISION
Virgin Islands Department Of Agriculture
RR1 BOX 10345
Kingshill, VI 00850
Ph: (340)778-0997/8 ext. 256

Monday 23 May 2016

33rd Annual AgFair Nov.19-20, 2016

AgFair 2016 Banner (To be updated once 2016 theme & artwork are created by school youth)
The 33rd Annual St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair is slated for November 19-20, 2016 to be held at the Reichhold Center Grounds. 
Official Event Name: 33rd Annual St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture & Food Fair
Short Name: AgFair (St. Croix has the “AgriFest” in February and Bordeaux has their Rastafarian & Vegan Fair in January)
Theme: TBA – We intend to do a school contest for the theme & artwork
Who: The St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture & Food Fair Committee (Inc.) - an organizing group consisting of staff from the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and Fintrac along with members from the general community.
What: Community & Family Friendly Event (Agricultural Produce and Education, Livestock Animal Petting Zoo, Youth activities, Live cultural arts entertainment, food, arts & crafts and other vendors, Deejay music)
When: Sat/Sun November 19-20, 2016 10-6pm
Where: Reichhold Center Grounds
Cost: Children under age 12 $1/ages 13 + (Adults) $3

Contact Info:
    
                Phone/Fax: (340) 693-1080/1085 or 774-5182
               
Email: sttstjagfair@gmail.com
               
Social media: @sttstjagfair on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram Hashtag: #STTSTJAgFair
Why/Purpose: From our Articles of Incorporation - Section D
To foster and promote:
a. Interest and participation in agriculture, food preparation, nutrition, and related arts and crafts.
b. Agriculturally related                 science,                and environmental conservation through the medium of an Annual Fair.
c. Other related activities as the organization may undertake with emphasis placed on the involvement of young people.

The AgFair also exists with the intent of achieving the following:
·         To develop a closer relationship among Caribbean islands, government agencies, and other organizations having an interest in agricultural education, conservation of natural resources, promoting related industries, and community education in these areas.
·         To strengthen and extend cooperation among the farmers, Department of Agriculture, The University of the Virgin Islands, and the Community.

BASIC GENERAL ANNUAL PROMOTIONAL TEXT

To be adjusted and released closer to date

The application deadline for participating in the fair is Friday, October 28, 2016 (tentative) with a $15 late fee thereafter based on availability of space. The 33rd Annual St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19 and 20, at the grounds of Reichhold Center for the Arts. The theme is to be decided from an in-school competition.

On sale will be fruits and vegetables, nursery plants, fruit trees, vegetable seedlings, local arts and crafts, food and much more. There will also be educational displays and workshops. Throughout the day there will be live entertainment and lots of games and other activities for children.

The fair opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. on both days. An opening ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
Admission is $3 for ages 12 years-and-older and $1 for those 11-and-under. For more information, call (340) 693-1080 or 774-5182. Email sttstjagfair@gmail.com or connect via social media @sttstjagfair on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

*** Applicants meet with the committee at 6pm on Friday, November 11, 2016 (tentative) at the UVI Academic and Conference Center (ACC).

Stay tuned for potential contests including sweet bread, ital and coal pot lighting etc. Sponsors and volunteer contributors are welcome to assist! Inquire with one of the committee members or contact the UVI Cooperative Extension Service office and the Department of Agriculture for details.

We greatly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with agencies such as the VI Department of Agriculture, and look forward to continuing to spread the good word about what they do, which compliments our eXtending Knowledge; Changing Lives as we continue, "Responding to the Needs of the Community."

Listen in to our What’s Going on @UVICES weekly radio show
3-4pm Wednesdays on WUVI AM 1090, FM 97.3 or via online stream

Connect with us online: ces.uvi.edu | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | LINKEDIN | SOUNDCLOUD

Saturday 21 May 2016

United Way USVI Service Saturdays Partnership

UVICES Staff Volunteer at a United Way Service Saturdays Community Event at the Flamboyant Garden Senior Home Facility on St. Croix. United Way USVI Photos
Our staff really enjoyed partnering with the United Way during their first Service Saturdays community outreach event on May 21, celebrating Senior Citizens’ Month at the Flamboyant Garden Senior Home Facility at #42 Barren Spot on St. Croix. According to the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, our staff along with other volunteers helped to "spruce-up" the gardens and planted flowers for the elderly to commemorate Senior Citizens’ Month while promoting health and wellness activities. 

"Putting in the flower gardens helped to lift the spirit of the seniors, while also encouraging them to venture outside more among other benefits," Ms. Andrea Burgess-Figueroa, Development Officer/Volunteer Coordinator (STX)

Members of the UVICES staff that participated included Mr. Stafford Crossman, Mr. Randall Macedon, Ms. Vanessa Forbes and Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Jr. who was visiting St. Croix from the St. Thomas campus office. 
Please listen in below to the interview aired on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 between 3-4pm on our radio program at WUVI (AM 1090/FM 97.3). United Way USVI CEO Vinod Dadlani called in to everyone about our experience as well as the other Service Saturdays and community initiatives that they have planned. Every week, we also stream the radio program live, record it, share the recording via social media and mass emails as well as on our website. For reminders to tune in, send us an email at ces.uvi.edu@gmail.com to be added to the weekly mailing list for radio shows. Listen in below and share on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Pinterest or via email! Ask us for help if you don't know how! Call 340-693-1081 to reach DaraMonifah Cooper, our CES Computer and Technology Class Instructor.


"We greatly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with agencies such as the United Way USVI, and look forward to continuing to spread the good word about what they do, which complements our eXtending Knowledge; Changing Lives as we continue, Responding to the Needs of the Community," Mr. Kwame Garcia, UVICES State Director

Listen in to our What’s Going on @UVICES weekly radio show
3-4pm Wednesdays on WUVI AM 1090, FM 97.3 or via online stream!

eXtending Knowledge; Changing Lives! Connect with us online: ces.uvi.edu
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | LINKEDIN | SOUNDCLOUD

Wednesday 18 May 2016

160518 Radio Show | National FFA President Visit & New Astronomy Club

Weekly Radio Show | National FFA President Visit & New Astronomy Club
 

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO:
Listen to the Radio Show Archive Part 1 | FFA Pres
Listen to the Radio Show Archive Part 2 | STARS Club What's Going on @UVICES Weekly Radio Show

A weekly radio program co-hosted by UVI Extension Staff DaraMonifah Cooper and Christina Chanes sharing lively interviews of UVICES Community Partners, Stakeholders, Administrators, Staff or Current and Past Clients as they share experiences and examples of how we all work together in responding to the needs of the community.

Click “Streaming LIVE” to start listening 3-4 pm on Wednesdays
Call us at on air at 340-643-1090 (or ext. 1670 on campus) to join the conversation.
Connect with us online: ces.uvi.edu

TODAY'S TOPICS (May 18, 2016) with guests Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Jr.,
1. National FFA President's First Trip to Territory
2. New Organization STARS

Other past or upcoming happenings...
1. Sewing & Batik Class Closing Program
2. SUMMER Youth Programs @UVICES
3. From the Ground Up Newsletter - Sept 2015

Tune in weekly from 3pm - 4pm on WUVI AM 1090 /FM 97.3
(or via live stream from the WUVI.AM app on your smart device) 

National FFA President Taylor McNeel traveled to three FFA chapters on St. Thomas along with Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Jr., Dr. Eddie Williams, USVI FFA Advisor and Mr. Frank Saldana. The goal was to visit FFA chapters, meet with their administration, encourage students, and answer their questions about FFA and agricultural education. They also visited with the Commissioner of Education, Dr. McCollum. Throughout the day they spread the message of FFA and agricultural education.

“I traveled to three FFA chapters in St. Thomas. The goal was to visit FFA chapters, meet with their administration, encourage students, and answer their questions about FFA and agricultural education. We also visited with the Commissioner of Education, Dr. McCollum. Through the day we spread the message of FFA and agricultural education.”~Taylor McNeel, National FFA President
According to Dr. Petersen, FFA has been here in the territory, in some from since 1955 on St. Croix. However, FFA chapters were not established in the district of St. Thomas- St. John until 2013. As a result of local growth and expansion as well as our renewed participation in the annual National FFA Convention, the USVI FFA Association has been receiving increased attention from the national organization, resulting in increased opportunities for local students.
Having the FFA President here is a historic occasion, because it has never happened before.“The hope and expectation was all about encouragement. Hearing from one of their own. Our students listening to another FFA student from somewhere else telling them about the opportunities available to them. Letting them know that agriculture isn’t just about farming. It really was effective and I could hear through their questions that the interest growing and that they were beginning to think differently and that’s what it was about, encouragement and awareness.”
~ Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Jr., UVICES
Dr. Petersen also shared that, “The historic visit of the President McNeel of the National FFA Organization and our visits to the school chapters will hopefully serve as another building block in our on-going efforts to develop an effective agricultural education program and encourage youth involvement in the field of agriculture.”

FROM OUR WEBSITE: · Farmers Marketing Course STT or STX campus | PHOTOS
· Computer Trainings: Classes & Workshops

Call (340) 693-4090 (STX) or (340) 693-1081 (STT) CES PUBLICATIONS:
· Tropical Fruits of the VI Book | Book Cover
· From the Ground Up Newsletter - Sept 2015

Connect with us online: ces.uvi.edu

Wednesday 13 January 2016

160113 Radio Show | Pesticide Certification, Youth Initiatives & Upcoming Outreach at Bordeaux AgFair

We'll be there at the Bordeaux Fair! Find out why Jan 13, 2016 from 3-4pm on our What's Going on @UVICES Weekly Radio Show
A weekly radio program co-hosted by UVI Extension Staff DaraMonifah Cooper and Christina Chanes sharing lively interviews of UVICES Community Partners, Stakeholders, Administrators, Staff or Current and Past Clients as they share experiences and examples of how we all work together in responding to the needs of the community.



Click “Streaming LIVE” to start listening 3-4 pm on Wednesdays

Call us at on air at 340-643-1090 (or ext. 1670 on campus) to join the conversation.
Connect with us online: ces.uvi.edu FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | LINKEDIN | SOUNDCLOUD

TODAY'S TOPICS (Jan 13, 2016) with call in guest Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Jr.:
1. Pesticide Applicator Certification Workshops
2. Bordeaux Agricultural & Cultural Vegan Food Fair - CES Participation THIS WEEKEND!
3. Upcoming National Collaboration AgDiscovery 2016 | Flyer | General Info | BROCHURE | Application
4. From the Ground Up Newsletter - Sept 2015
Tune in weekly from 3pm - 4pm on WUVIAM1090 /97.3 FM on campus (1090 on your AM dial, via live stream or WUVI.AM app on your smart device) Archives will be conveniently available on SoundCloud.com if you can't listen live.

MORE DETAILS FROM ON TODAY’S SHOW & Other Upcoming Event Details
Pesticide Application Training | AgDiscovery Week | Website Links

1. Pesticide Applicator Certification Workshops
All persons interested in becoming certified pesticide applicators are encouraged to attend the workshop(s) of their choice. See workshop information below. The University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service – Pesticide Safety Education Program announces Pesticide Applicator Certification Workshops. The workshops, scheduled for St. Thomas and St. Croix, will be conducted by Dr. HipĆ³lito O'Farrill-Nieves, Extension Entomologist, Agricultural Extension Service, College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico.

For additional information and to register please contact the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service - Stafford Crossman at (340) 692-4071, email scrossm@uvi.edu (St. Croix) or Dr. Louis Petersen at (340) 693-1083, email louis.petersen@live.uvi.edu (St. Thomas) or Dale Morton at (340) 693-1086, email dmorton@live.uvi.edu (St. Thomas).


St. Croix: Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health Services Pest Control
Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: REC Room 133 Ornamental & Turf Pest Control

Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: REC Room 133

St. Thomas: Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Health Services Pest Control
Date: Thursday, January 14, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Weiss Conference Room, West Residence Hall

Ornamental & Turf Pest Control
Date: Friday, January 15, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Weiss Conference Room, West Residence Hall

2. AgDiscovery 2016 | Flyer | General Info | BROCHURE | Application Happening for the first time at the University of the Virgin Islands, AgDiscovery is a summer camp outreach program that helps middle through high school aged students explore careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, agribusiness, plant pathology, aquaculture, and much more. This 2-4 week program allows participants to live on a college campus and learn about agricultural science from university professors, practicing veterinarians, industry representatives, and professionals working for the U.S. government. Students who participate in AgDiscovery gain experience through hands-on labs, workshops, field trips and other group and team building activities.

View the 2016 AgDiscovery brochure HERE to learn more about the program. For additional information and to register please contact the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service - Dr. Louis Petersen at (340) 693-1083, email louis.petersen@live.uvi.edu (St. Thomas).

FROM OUR WEBSITE:
· Farmers Marketing Course STT or STX campus | PHOTOS
· Computer Trainings: Classes & Workshops Call (340) 693-4090 (STX) or (340) 693-1081 (STT)

CES PUBLICATIONS:
· Tropical Fruits of the VI Book | Book Cover · From the Ground Up Newsletter - Sept 2015

Connect with us online: ces.uvi.edu