Act 8404 is a law created two years ago called on the Department of Agriculture and the University of the Virgin Islands to formulate comprehensive Agricultural Plan for the United States Virgin Islands. The plan would include policy and funding recommendations to support and expand the local food system, to increase locally grown food production and to provide an avenue of food security. Back in in May, the plan was unveiled (to see materials click here).
Recently the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture heard testimony from farmers and developers of the plan. According to the St. Croix Source, the executive summary identifies the goal of the plan is “to increase agricultural productivity locally to make food security and sovereignty a reality for those living in the Virgin Islands.”
The plan defines “food sovereignty” as a system by which “the food supply is produced locally through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, with the community having authority over their own food and agricultural mechanisms.”
For Food security, the plan takes the definition from the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security, “…when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”
David Hall, president of the University of the Virgin Islands, who, Positive Nelson Luca, the Agriculture Commissioner Positive led the testimony. Other speakers including Luca Gasperi, co-owner of Art Farm on St. Croix with 40 acres with four acres growing food, Nate Olive, of Ridge to Reef Farm on St. Croix, and others voiced their feedback, particularly concerns of ensuring proper funding.
Happy July! Is there a remodel in your future? Whether you are getting ready to list your home in the future or improving your home to enjoy now, home upgrades and construction can be stressful. So, Christie and I thought we would share a few tips on how to stay calm during a remodel project.
Use sticky notes to help yourself and your contractor stay on the timeline. When you or your contractor finish a task, take a note off the wall. It’s an easy way to keep your project on track, and it’s rewarding to see the progress.
Buying new fixtures like lights, faucets, and doorknobs can be overwhelming. Before you know it, you’ll walk through the store, and everything looks the same. Group your purchases by room to help keep yourself sane. Buy these items early in case there are supply issues.
Construction projects are messy if you’re remodeling one room or a few. To keep the dust down, block off the room with plastic. The rest of the house will remain clean. If you’re working on several rooms, take it one room at a time to avoid even more frustration.
What’s the busiest room in the house? Your kitchen. When it’s under construction, you don’t have to cancel dinner every night or go out to eat out every day. Get creative with one pot and no-bake recipes. If you have a grill, it’s time to become a BBQ expert.
If you’re thinking about a remodel, I hope that these tips help you stay calm throughout your project. If you decide to buy a new home or list your home, I can help. Now is a great time to buy and sell – call, text, or email us to set up a time to talk.
Last year, we mentioned that a new medical simulation center on St. Croix was on the horizon. Recently, the new Medical Simulation Center at the University of the Virgin Islands opened with more than 21,000 square feet that includes trauma and hybrid operating rooms, 18 surgical skill lab areas, four team training rooms, patient exam rooms, a dining room, and an auditorium. The St. Croix Source reported “visitors toured the facility and listened, mesmerized, to manufacturing representatives explain how the interactive technology will teach future nurses and physicians” and attract medical device companies that may prefer traveling to the Caribbean for training. Further, UVI joins U.S. Veteran’s Affairs, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and others that offer similar education and research facilities.
Congratulations to UVI and we hope to see this facility be the resource for the territory! Click here to read the full article.
Photo from University of the Virgin Islands’s training flyer
We enjoyed reading the St. Croix Source’s three-part series about conditions in the U.S. Virgin Islands at the time they became part of the United States, as described in the 1917 special U.S. Census of the territory. The third part of the series capture a slice of the territory’s heritage.
The census officials’ highlighted that in 1917:
St. Croix was the “most productive” of the islands because of the sugar and related rum industry there.
91.2% of St. Croix’s land was devoted to crops and animal husbandry. Sugar was the primary crop.
For more of a glimpse of daily life on St Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John back then, read the full article here.
An unexpected oasis of divine and authentic Crucian treats awaits you at Eden South. A collection of t-shirts hanging on a line at the entrance is the undeniable landmark that indicates your arrival at the right location. This locally owned gift shop located in historic downtown Christiansted is committed to doing its part to preserve the culture of St. Croix.
Owner Mariel J. de Chabert-Percy opened the doors of Eden South in December 2016, but the origins of the business began almost a decade before from her home. Originally built in the 1800s, the building was formerly the historic home her husband’s grandfather built and where his mother and aunts grew up. Today, Eden South is dedicated to offering the best time-honored traditions of St. Croix. Their product lines – culturally authentic as described by de Chabert- Percy – are made only from in-season, locally sourced fruit and prepared in small batches for consistent quality. Jams and jellies, hot sauce and syrups, t-shirts, tote bags, books about island culture and history plus local artwork and photography can be found stacked on tables and lining the shelves of the store. De Chabert-Percy is the artist and designer of the store’s t-shirt line which features local recipes including the one-pot kallaloo stew and the ever-popular guavaberry liqueur. Additionally, the Crucian Spoken Word t-shirt provides the pronunciation of general terms and phrases in English, Scottish/Irish and Crucian. All items are conveniently packaged to help customers enjoy and express Crucian culture, wherever they may be.
Eden South is located at #3 Company Street next to Company House Hotel. It is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 10am – 3pm. For more information, call 340.713.1003.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
Get hooked on world-class offshore sport fishing on St. Croix with Captain Cook Charters! Since 2016, Captain Colt Cook and his seasoned crew has offered half-day and full-day fishing charters aboard their 33-foot long sportfisher boat, Hook n’ Cook. Made by Pursuit Boats, Hook n’ Cook is used exclusively for offshore fishing of mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna and marlin. Inshore trips are also available as the company uses spinning or fly-fishing tackle to catch tarpon, snook, bonefish, snapper, mackerel and jacks. With accommodations for up to 6 people, offshore trips are available in 4-, 6-, 8- and 10-hour durations departing from Green Cay Marina on the island’s east end.
For as long as he could remember, Captain Cook has always considered fishing as a way of life. “I’ve always had a passion for salt water and marine life and knew I wanted to fish for a living,” said Cook. His love for the ocean steered him to the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Marine Biology. His vast marine world knowledge, many years of experience and countless hours logged on ships of all sizes is what sets Captain Cook apart. A scuba diving and free diving enthusiast, Captain Cook puts his heart and soul into making sure that each group has an unforgettable experience. He shared that there’s a high possibility that each charter will catch something. “We go out on each trip with a plan and use various methods to get some fish on the line.”
Beyond the catch, Captain Cook and his crew offer free, professional fish cleaning services. Once they’ve cleaned and bagged the charter’s catch, a hot grill or pan is all that stands between guests and their dinner. If an adventure trip is more your speed, Captain Cook Charters offers on-the-water outings that consist of snorkeling, sunset booze cruises and barhopping. Let them know what kind of trip you want, and they will make it happen!
