Commissioner of Agriculture Louis E. Petersen Jr. Ph.D. has announced the availability of additional funds for sub-grantee projects under the Department’s Virgin Fresh Orchard and Fruit Plot Planting Project. Funds are available through the department’s USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG); the highly successful Virgin Fresh Beekeeping Project was previously funded through an SCBG award.
The additional availability of funding is intended to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, floriculture and nursery crops. Most crops grown in the Virgin Islands, as well as honey, are considered specialty crop commodities. VIDA is soliciting proposals from interested person(s) and/or organization(s) for the purpose of establishing new fruit orchards and fruit plots.
“Especially given these tough economic times, initiatives like this one provide additional opportunities for residents interested in agricultural business opportunities, an important element of this emerging industry in the Virgin Islands. Potential sub-grantees are encouraged to submit proposals for immediate consideration,” said Commissioner Louis E. Petersen.
To date, Specialty Crop Block Grant funds have been utilized to purchase more than 400 fruit trees of various types and 2000 pineapple plants, all of which have been established on farm plots throughout the Territory as part of the Virgin Islands effort to spur additional agricultural development and other agri-business opportunities. Funds have also been previously used to acquire irrigation supplies for producers and roto-tillers, which are rented at a subsidized cost to farmers to assist with land preparation activities.
VIDOA launched the Virgin Fresh Orchard and Fruit Plot Planting Project in 2010 to further its strategic plan for revitalizing agriculture in the territory by creating small-scale fruit orchard and fruit plot demonstration models to serve as teaching tools, or outdoor classrooms, for interested farmers, students and the general public.
“A portion of the SCBG monies is also dedicated to advancing the department’s on-going Virgin Fresh branding campaign to promote the production and sale of local agricultural products. In addition to producing a Virgin Fresh product label that identifies the products as locally grown or locally processed, the campaign also recently launched a coupon initiative as an incentive for consumers to support local farmers and farmers’ markets. We look forward to assisting future efforts that similarly stimulate the territory’s potential for agricultural development and market growth,” said Petersen.
The initiative also seeks to provide health and economic benefits through the anticipated increased availability of fresh, nutritious local fruits for local consumption. Farmers are expected to realize significant economic returns from the sale of fresh fruits once the plantings have matured.
“This grant-funded request for proposals represents an opportunity to establish new farm operations or enhance existing agribusinesses in the territory, an important pillar of the deJongh/Francis Administration’s efforts,” Petersen said.
Interested parties should logon to the Department’s Web site at: www.vifresh.com for instructions and application information. All applications must be submitted no later than July 15, (close of business) to any office of the VIDA. Alternatively, submissions may be forwarded via e-mail to [email protected]
For additional information regarding USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program, contact VIDA Assistant Commissioner Luther Renee at: 778-0997 ext. 222.