VI Farmers Receive 2 -100K Gal Cisterns; $500K in Grants

M.A. Dworkin

USVI - Governor Albert Bryan Jr. joined Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen, members of the 36th Legislature, community leaders and students, this week to break ground on the first of two planned 100,000-gallon cisterns that will provide vital water resources to farmers in Bordeaux, St. Thomas. 

The groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction. It is a long-awaited response to the calls of farmers who have struggled for decades with inadequate access to reliable water. The Bryan-Roach Administration emphasized that the project is a direct investment in the future of agriculture and in the Bordeaux farming community, which has long stood at the heart of the Territory’s food security and cultural heritage on the island of St. Thomas.

“For too many years, our farmers, especially here in Bordeaux, have carried the burden of doing more with less,” said Gov. Bryan. “They have been patient, resilient, and clear about what they need. Today, we are not just listening. We are acting. These cisterns are not a promise. They are proof that this Administration is committed to turning words into results for our farmers.”

The first cistern will reclaim water that would otherwise be lost by capturing runoff from an existing 60,000-gallon cistern. The facilities, constructed by Habibah Bell of Hamel Engineering and Construction, are designed to expand the agricultural water supply and ease the long-standing challenges faced by farmers in Bordeaux.

The groundbreaking also came with the introduction of a new 2,500-gallon water tanker, which is already in operation and will support the distribution of water to farmers across the islands. 

In addition to the cisterns and the tanker, the Department of Agriculture has acquired a new backhoe to provide farmers with more reliable and responsive support. Commissioner Petersen noted that these resources are part of a broader effort to modernize the department’s services and strengthen confidence among farmers. 

“This project represents a turning point,” said Commissioner Petersen. “For years, farmers have voiced their concerns about water access. This Administration heard those concerns, and with the help of our community partners and the leadership of We Grow Food, we are delivering infrastructure that directly addresses the challenges farmers face.”

We Grow Food president Delano Francis welcomed the project as a major step forward and expressed appreciation for the partnership between government and community that made it possible.

The Bryan-Roach Administration underscored that the cisterns, the tanker, and the new equipment are part of a larger strategy to strengthen agriculture throughout the Virgin Islands. The Administration has invested in resilient infrastructure, expanded resources for farmers, and prioritized agricultural development as part of its economic diversification and food security goals. 

“Building these cisterns, putting new equipment to work, and introducing the water tanker are tangible steps,” said Gov. Bryan. “They also symbolize something larger: our commitment to restoring trust between the government and the farming community. For too long, farmers in Bordeaux and across our islands have questioned whether the government would follow through. Today we are showing that we will.”

The Governor reaffirmed that agriculture remains central to his Administration’s agenda, not only as a driver of economic growth but also as a matter of culture, identity and survival.

VI Farmers Awarded $500K in Grants

Virgin Island farmers along with fishers and other agricultural organizations received over $500.000 in grant funding by the U.S. Virgin Islands Local Food and Farm Council (LFFC). The 2024 winners will use the grants to advance the mission of improving food security in the Territory. The grants come from the Public-Private Partnership Investment Fund, created under mandate 2 of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan and funded by ACT 8700. 

Out of a total of 106 applications, 12 farmers, fishers and related organizations, representing all three islands, were chosen by the Council’s Review and Selection Committee, after applying during the Spring of 2024.

The funding was designated to empower local farmers and fishers to increase sustainable food production and reduce the Territory’s reliance on imported food.  

The grants were awarded in two tiers based on the applicants’ experience levels. 

“The grants provide the financial resources necessary for recipients to bring their plans to fruition and allow for vital progress on local, sustainable food production,” said Commissioner Petersen.