Saturday 5 August 2017

AgDiscovery 2017 USVI

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We spent week one on the island of St. Croix enjoying the first part of the AgDiscovery summer program at the University of the Virgin Islands. To follow us along the way connect with us @UVICES online via FacebookInstagram, Twitter and Youtube to stay updated. Facebook live videos to be added*


See how 20 students from all over the USA (with a few locals from the Virgin Islands) are getting the experience of a lifetime learning about agriculture and related fields, while rooming in the dorms for two weeks at the AgDiscovery summer program. All happening at the University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A. Sheen, St. Croix campus. 

AgDiscovery is an outreach program to help students learn about careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, agribusiness and plant pathology. To find out more information about this program click on the 2017 AgDiscovery brochure
DAY 1 | Photo Album
Meet & Greet
Along with a few local students, twenty "AgDiscoverers" from as far West as California to North as Seattle took the first afternoon/evening to get acquainted with each other and the staff.

DAY 2 | Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3 | Video 4 | Video 5Photo Album
OH SHEEP! 
One sheep, two sheep, from scooping out sheep poop first thing in the morning to checking through ultrasound technology to see if they're pregnant... then collecting/checking their stool and blood samples for parasites and anemia, AgDiscovery campers spent the first day getting to know Agriculture deeper than ever before, from the inside out, literally.


DAY 3 | Video 1 | Photo Album
This Lil Piggy went to Market... as a dish.
This little piggy's going to market... on a plate. After a trip to the Abattoir, AgDiscoverers now know the procedure that pigs endure when being slaughtered at the VI Department of Agriculture. Then after lunch (no pig today), they walked over to the Research and Extension Center to learn horticulture from Dr. Stuart Weiss and went along with him to the greenhouse to learn about sooty mold and other potential hazards to plants. They ended the day making smoothies with 4-H Ambassadors in the CES Kitchen Lab.


DAY 4 | Video 1 | Photo Album
2 'Ponics & an Eggfruit
Water water everywhere, putting it to use. Day 3 was about Hydro and Aquaponics systems. They helped to make and then enjoyed eggfruit smoothies with the 4-H staff in the CES Kitchen Lab.


DAY 5 | Video 1 | Video 2Photo AlbumPlanting Sugar Cane, Sejah Farm & Cruzan Rum Factory
Measuring the field area, Laying out the tubing and Planting sugar cane was how this day started with AgDiscovery campers having hands on setting up a SWEET hydroponics system. Then they visited their first local farm with Yvette and Dale Brown giving them an experience of local plant identification, herding lamb and making fruit smoothies. They got a quick tour of the Cruzan Rum factory before heading back on campus.

DAY 6 | Video 1 | Photo Album
Ridge 2 Reef Certified Organic Farm & Salt River Bay Historic Preserve

AgDiscovery campers took a long, winding, and bumpy trip up the mountain to the only USDA Approved Organic Farm in the USVI, Ridge to Reef Fa rm and spoke with it's Director before heading to the Salt River Bay National Park site for a hike on tribal Taino land and left with jewelry that they made during the visit.

DAY 7 | Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3 | Photo Album
Farmers Market, Whim Museum, Town & Beach
What would learning about local agriculture be like without a trip to the farmers market? A little historical edutainment at the Whim Museum gave the campers a new appreciation for the rich history of the islands and making it to town and the beach before eating on the Boardwalk was an excellent way to wrap up a full day...week!

Stay tuned for week 2 videos, photos, etc. starting with these: 

DAY 8 | Video 1 | Photo Album

AgDiscovery Day 8: Early Morning Sunrise to Sunset on a Beach
AgDiscovery campers took yet another long, winding, and bumpy trip all the way across the island after a 4 am rise to wait for the sunrise at Point Udall, the Eastern most point of the USA.An early morning dip and nap at Cramer's Park beach was followed by brunch at the Blue Water Terrace before they traveled back across the island touring until they arrived at Rainbow beach, where they stayed til sunset.


DAY 9 | Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3 | Video 4Photo Album

AgDiscovery Day 9: Visit to the Department, Diving Cows & Party!The day started with a visit to the VI Department of Agriculture where campers got to tour the grounds (including the mango tree orchard), meet a few of the staff and learn two ways of grafting trees. Next was a trip to see the Senepol cows at Langford farm where the University's Agriculture Experiment Station does their research. The day ended with a cultural night party on campus including a young local steelpan player, mocojumbie dancing and local cuisine.

DAY 10 | Video 1 | Photo Album

AgDiscovery Day 10: APHIS Info, Interviews, 4-H Health Ambassadors & AgRobotics So what exactly IS APHIS*? After a morning of info, jeopardy and interviews with Cheryle L. Blakely and Tami Whyte, AgDiscovery campers can explain it best. Next 4-H Health Ambassadors taught about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast, played who done it and had students running into each other with a game of train wreck. Then they built, programmed and raced agricultural robot plows with Extension Assistant Director Marthious Clavier as they got hands on into the field of AgTech put to use at its best.


DAY 11 | Photo Album

AgDiscovery Day 11: GLG Plants & Produce Farmer Grantley Samuel If you want to learn the best, learn from how the best do it. After a morning with Customs and Border Protection (no photos to share due to CBP policy), the campers went across the street and down the road to visit farmer that has been honored to be the Farmer of the Year mote than once. The learned hands on and through talking with him, how he works, advertises and sells his plants and produce as well as his beekeeping business. They also saw the students in the summer camp run on his farm.
The live videos and photos are shared on the 
UVICES Facebook pageInstagram account and Youtube Channel as well as automatically tweeted out from those platforms as well.

We post using the hashtags #AgDiscovery #USVI along with some others like #YouthInAg #AgCommunications etc.


Watch the interview below as collaborators share their reflections after opening day of the AgDiscovery 2017 Youth Camp held at the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen St. Croix campus. Click the photo below to watch the video:



From left to right: Sarah Dahl-Smith, UVI Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Specialist; Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Jr., UVI Cooperative Extension Service Assistant Director, Agriculture and Natural Resources (St. Thomas-St. John District); Tammy H. Lowry, AgDiscovery Program Manager & Management/Program Analyst (Office of Civil Rights, Diversity, and Inclusion (USDA); Kai Nielsen, Camp Site Coordinator.

Sunday 30 July 2017

AgDiscovery 2017 USVI Opening Reflections



Why fly to the middle of the Atlantic on a small Caribbean island to learn about Agriculture? Why not?

Along with a few local students, twenty "AgDiscoverers" from as far West as California to North as Seattle landed today on the island of St. Croix to begin their two-week journey together as part of the AgDiscovery summer program at the University of the Virgin Islands. To follow them along the way 
visit our website's current event page and connect with us @UVICES online to stay updated.
"I think the program will
really benefit them a lot which is what the program is designed to do to
generate interest and expose the kids to you know all fields of agriculture. I
think they'll get a lot out of it."
~Tammy H. Lowry, AgDiscovery Program Manager & Management/Program Analyst (Office of Civil Rights, Diversity, and Inclusion (USDA)

The live videos and photos will be shared on the UVICES Facebook pageInstagram account and Youtube Channel as well as automatically tweeted out from those platforms as well.

We post using the hashtags #AgDiscovery #USVI along with some others like #YouthInAg #AgCommunications etc.

Collaborators share their reflections after opening day of the AgDiscovery 2017 Youth Camp held at the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen St. Croix campus. Click the photo below to watch the video:


From left to right: Sarah Dahl-Smith, UVI Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Specialist; Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Jr., UVI Cooperative Extension Service Assistant Director, Agriculture and Natural Resources (St. Thomas-St. John District); Tammy H. Lowry, AgDiscovery Program Manager & Management/Program Analyst (Office of Civil Rights, Diversity, and Inclusion (USDA); Kai Nielsen, Camp Site Coordinator.




eXtending Knowledge; Changing Lives, join us as we share the journey of AgDiscovery with youth in the U.S. Virgin Islands as they prepare themselves to change the world.

Thursday 13 April 2017

April 12 Radio Show | LitFest, Summer Camps, 4-H Experience

What’s Going on @UVICES Weekly Radio Program | 3pm April 12, 2017
Image may contain: 3 people, people sitting and outdoorImage may contain: 3 people, people sitting and outdoor "Your trusted source for reliable information backed by eXperts." 3-4pm Today on What’s Going on @UVICES? LitFest, Summer Camps, 4-H & More
A weekly radio program on WUVI hosted by UVI Extension Staff DaraMonifah Cooper sharing information or lively interviews with 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. For more info or to watch the live video stream of the radio program visit: ces.uvi.edu

ON TODAY’S SHOW: 1. UVI Research Day took place Friday 9am-3pm on both campuses. For details visit researchday.uvi.edu. 2. USVI Literary Festival & Book Bacchanal | UPDATES | For details visit www.usvilitfest.com. 3. CES Summer Youth Programs: Sewing, Nutrition, Ag Enrichment 4. 4-H Enrichment at Camp Umoja (Mandahl Bay) with VI Montessori School Cultural Enrichment | PHOTOS
MORE DETAILS FROM TODAY’S SHOW & Other Details:
1. UVI Research Day took place Friday 9am-3pm on both campuses | CES Communications Roundtable facilitated by DaraMonifah Cooper.

“Using Facebook Effectively: A Digital Drum Call”DaraMonifah Cooper, New Media SpecialistUVI Research Day 2017 Abstract Submission

Friday, April 7, 2017 between 1:15-2:00 p.m. UVI Research Day, St. Thomas Campus Sports & Fitness Center
This round table examines social media platform habits, multi-media technology and the vital role these vehicles will play in converting the current use of advertising media in the Virgin Islands. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate how new media technology behaviors affect effective communication and advertising methods. The discussion will also include the methods in which social media and related technology are effecting change based on the current ways people learn and share information.
To achieve this goal, multimedia elements such as video, infographics and text are used. I will be using research-based experiences throughout my role as a UVI Cooperative Extension Agent over the past thirteen years with CES and my experiences over the past years with WUVI, from volunteer to now being it's Station Manager, as well as training experienced in the New Media Journalism Masters program at Full Sail University over the past two years.
The goal is to create a powerful media network by providing evidence that a thoughtful collaborative effort of creating a viable communication network is needed at the University and throughout the Virgin Islands/Caribbean/Global community.
2. USVI Literary Festival & Book Bacchanal | UPDATES | For details visit www.usvilitfest.com 3. CES Summer Youth Programs: Sewing, Nutrition, Ag Enrichment 4. 4-H Enrichment at Camp Umoja (Mandahl Bay) with VI Montessori School Cultural Enrichment | PHOTOS Students enjoyed a field trip to Camp Umoja which is an agricultural and environmental science educational campsite managed by Anna Wallace-Francis and Justin Francs in Mandahl Bay. Students learned about the UVICES 4-H program as well as a variety of cultural and nature preservation experiences from reusing cups (recycling), to washing their hands over plants (water conservation), to creating their own games and activities (practical natural resource use), making music on African drums to learn cooperation, listening skills and reinforce respect of one person talking at a time. They even learned to wash, peel and dice their own sweet potatoes right from the ground around them which they later ate as French fries. One student also picked a green tamarind which led to a discussion and inference about what it could possibly be used for since it was green (diarrhea). Here was a collaborative example of what happens when you put together the minds of Extension staff, assistants and clients.
More pics from THE EXPERIENCE!
What Else is Going On @UVICES? ON GOING ACTIVITIES AT OUR CES OFFICE
1. Intermediate Computer March 16th – April 21st | Thurs/Fri 1-3pm 2. Batik Classes January – May | Mon/Tues Mornings 3. Sewing Classes January – May | Wed/Thurs Mornings
LAST WEEK UVI Research Day 2017 Program Booklet | Press Release | Flyer Abstracts: STT campus | STX campus
SUMMER
· CES Summer Youth Programs: Sewing, Nutrition, Ag Enrichment All held at the UVI Cooperative Extension Service’s (“New House”) Building -Nutrition (mornings) & Sewing (afternoons) June 26 - 6 July 14, 2017 Contact: Dr. Caryl Johnson at 340-693-1082 or Email cjohnso@uvi.edu -Ag Enrichment June 26 – July 21, 2017 Contact: Dr. Louis E. Petersen, Jr. at 340-693-1083 or Email: louis.petersen@uvi.edu
· AgDiscovery Summer Youth Camp 2017 || FLYER || INFO || BROCHURE The annual AgDiscovery program is a summer youth camp that will take place for the second year at the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen St. Croix campus. AgDiscovery is an 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. For the 1st time, out of over 20 other Universities, UVI is featured on the booklet cover with a photo of a student from the USVI who is studying abroad. This booklet is used by all of the Universities. 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).
IF YOU MISSED TODAY’S TOPICS: CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO PAST SHOWS
DaraMonifah Cooper, M.A. New Media Specialist University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service 340.693.1081 "Responding to the Needs of the Community" in the areas of Agriculture & Natural Resources, 4-H/Family & Consumer Sciences and Communications, Technology & Distance Education! Email wow@uvi.edu to share a testimony on Dara’s service! eXtending Knowledge; Changing Lives! Connect with us online: ces.uvi.edu FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | LINKEDIN | SOUNDCLOUD

Tuesday 3 January 2017

Batik Class to Have Exhibit

UVI Cooperative Extension Service
& Gallery St. Thomas
present 
“Wax On Wax Off”A group of artists from the community
who design & make affordable batik items at UVICES
Where: Gallery St. Thomas
5143 Palm Passage, Suite 13Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas When: Friday, January 20,2017
5 p.m.—8 p.m.


Come out and support local artists!

For more information contact:
Caryl Johnson
Call: 340-693-1082   |  Email: cjohnso@uvi.edu


On Friday, January 20, 2017, some members of the UVICES batik classes will be showing and selling their work at the Gallery St. Thomas in Palm Passage on January 20, 2017 between 5 – 7 p.m.  Students are very excited to show their work in this gallery.  It will be a batik only show and this is the first time that this gallery has had a batik show. Check out the gallery’s web page at
www.gallerystthomas.com for more information.

The batik students will also be showing their work on Feb. 4, 2017 at the art walk which will be held down town.

"It's the highlight of my day! It's very rewarding seeing the clients express themselves and progress," Dr. Caryl Johnson, UVICES Extension Supervisor, 4-H/Family & Consumer Science.

Twenty-three happy clients left the University of the Virgin Islands after a cheerful closing program on Friday, May 6, 2016. Having shared their final products from attending our UVICES Sewing and Batik classes, many stories and friendships have paved the way for new entrepreneurial ventures.

The classes started out with ten students each, which is the maximum number of possible students due to limited space in the CES New House building classroom and sewing lab. The rooms are also shared by other CES staff and used cooperatively for computer classes, summer youth programs and staff of community meetings.



In sewing, clients learned basic garment construction, how to use a commercial pattern or they are taught how to make their own pattern. The batik class clients learn how to do basic batik design and application with the advanced class learning how to refine their batiking and get out of the concept of painting.
Classes focus on building entrepreneurial skills, they've also had the opportunity to display and sell their work in the community. They've had booths at both the St. Thomas - St. John Agriculture and Food Fair as well as the Bordeaux Farmers Rastafari and Vegan Food Fair. Several of the clients also have work displayed in different stores on Main Street in the Charlotte Amalie historic district.

For more information contact:
Caryl Johnson