That was Governor Mapp’s message for the annual AgriFest on
St. Croix, held February 18-20. “As one of many in our territory who grew up on
a family farm, it pains me to see the millions of dollars that leave our
islands each year to pay for food that could be produced here in the territory,
often with better results.”
That’s a great idea, but few in the territory are actually
growing much of their own food. Given the current level of financial and
political uncertainty, the smart move right now might be to invest in kitchen
gardens and fruit trees. And to encourage farmers who provide healthy,
locally-produced food.
There
was a special ferry from St. John to St. Croix for the Agrifest, which offers a
food fair, local music and dancers, and cultural activities as well as displays
of farm animals and produce.
It
was hot to be walking around in the heat of the day, but fortunately there were
tables set out under a big grove of mango trees where we could get some shade
while eating our curried goat, fry fish, gooseberries and stewed golden apples.
I
was glad to have a chance to stop by the Ridge-to-Reef Farm stand for a visit.
A couple of years ago we signed up for their Community Supported Agriculture
program and picked up boxes of fruits and vegetables every week from their St.
John drop off point at the Gifft Hill School.
Besides
familiar types of produce, the Ridge-to-Reef stand had some more unusual items.
I
picked up a couple of baobab fruits - there are some huuge baobab trees on St.
Croix. The fruits have lovely, fuzzy green fur, and you can eat the tart pulp
inside surrounding the seeds. A friend of mine had asked if would bring back
some seeds so she can try to grow some on St. John. There is only one large
baobab on St. John, and it has been flowering but not fruiting.
I
also got a couple of West Indian locust tree pods – known to some as old man
stinking toe. The seed pods are very hard – like you need a hammer to break
them – and inside there is a smelly but sweet powder surrounding the seeds. It
makes your mouth very dry, so it is better mixed up with milk or in a
smoothie.
Unfortunately
I didn’t have room in my bag for the big jackfruit. Originally from south Asia,
it is related to breadfruit, and is the largest fruit that grows on a tree. An
ordinary one can weigh up to 40 pounds, but there are reports of fruits over
150 pounds. Its taste has been described as a cross between a pineapple and a sweet
potato.
The
overall theme of this year’s fair - Agriculture: Our Heritage and Hope for the
Future - was portrayed in various box displays made by schoolchildren for the
event.
The
Virgin Islands participates in the Farmers of America program, which helps
schools train new students to become agriculture professionals. This national
organization was formed in 1928, just before the Great Depression, to help
prepare young people for the challenges of feeding a growing population. It has
been reinvigorated by new interest in local and organic food. Students learn
about agriculture as a science, as a business and as an art.
Students
who grow food in school plots learn practical planting and harvesting skills.
In some cases the schools use the produce to help provide healthier, less
expensive lunches, or they may make money by selling fruits and
vegetables.
On
St. John, The Gifft Hill School’s EARTH program promotes ‘Education And
Resiliency Through Horticulture’, in a partnership with Iowa State University.
Through hands-on work in the school’s kitchen and expanding gardens, students
learn lessons about how food is produced, as well as about nature, the
environment and their own health.
They also sell produce at the upper school on Wednesday
afternoons starting at 3:15, and occasionally offer farm-to-table dinners as
program fundraisers. That’s one way to help support a new generation of farmers
on St. John.
