Leaders of the Virgin Islands Agriculture Department and the Local Food and Farm Council urged lawmakers Friday to expedite the release of delayed appropriated funds and increase support for a range of agricultural programs and staffing needs in the coming fiscal year.
Testifying before the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee, Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen and Safiya George, president of the University of the Virgin Islands and co-chair of the Local Food and Farm Council, warned that critical appropriated funds remain unreleased, stalling key initiatives and threatening the territory's progress on its agriculture plan.
Petersen said the Agriculture Department is still awaiting the release of $383,000, originally appropriated under Act 8918 and later redirected to the department by Act 8979, to hire essential staff. "We are awaiting the release of $383,000 to the Department of Agriculture for the hiring of critical staff to enhance our professional capacity," Petersen said. "Once these funds are released, our request to this body is that the funding remain with us until expended."
George said the council is also waiting for the Office of Management and Budget to release $500,000 appropriated for the Public-Private Partnership Investment Fund, which is intended to support local farmers and fishers through grants and matching funds. "These funding delays have had a direct and tangible impact, most notably in pausing the second cycle of the grant program for farmers and fishers and delaying the hiring of the coordinator, both of which are essential to maintaining momentum, supporting producers, and driving coordinated infrastructure and planning activities," George said.
Both leaders emphasized that the delays are undermining the implementation of the Virgin Islands's agriculture plan, including mandates to strengthen staffing, expand public-private partnerships, and deliver timely support to the territory's agricultural community.
The Agriculture Department's fiscal year 2026 General Fund request totals $5,068,235, with $4,585,694 allocated for personnel and fringe benefits, $148,874 for supplies, $160,000 for utilities, and $373,667 for other services. Additional appropriations include $500,000 from the tourism advertising revolving fund and $246,277 for the Industrial Hemp Commission, bringing the total to $6,014,512. federal grant funds of $11,486,594.97 and $904,045 in non-appropriated funds from sales and services are expected to bring the department's total available funds to $17.5 million.
Petersen said the department is working to fill critical vacancies, including maintenance engineers, heavy equipment operators, a chief butcher, a procurement officer, and an administrator of fiscal and personal services, with interviews for all positions expected within eight weeks.
The St. Thomas abattoir remains closed, forcing local farmers to resort to illegal "bush kills" while the government struggles to complete repairs. The St. Croix abattoir saw $222,171 in upgrades, while $518,613 in insurance proceeds has been requested for planned renovations at the St. Thomas facility.
"We are talking about bush kills. The meats that are consumed and produced locally, have been slaughtered elsewhere, but not in a sanitary facility," Petersen told lawmakers.
"That's very concerning for me, because we don't know what we're consuming in that instance," said Sen. Novelle Francis. The department expects to complete a scope of work for repairs within three weeks, but the total cost remains unknown.
The Local Food and Farm Council, which meets biweekly and includes representatives from government, academia, farmers, and fishers, requested an increase in the Public-Private Partnership Investment Fund to $1 million for fiscal year 2026, citing overwhelming demand.
In the last grant cycle, 106 applications totaling $4.6 million in requests were received, 12 were approved, and 11 accepted, with $485,567 awarded. The council also requested $400,000 to support hiring at the Agriculture Department, $250,000 for the Agriculture Business Center, $300,000 for council operations, $150,000 for organic agriculture initiatives, and $250,000 for the University of the Virgin Islands Office of Sponsored Programs for grant development.
Petersen and George outlined a range of recent and ongoing programs. The Julie in Every Yard program trained 60 residents in grafting, pruning, and tree care with $43,662 in funding. The marketing division promoted farmers' markets through ads, radio, and a conference, spending $154,874 in grants. Youth garden programs launched in both districts with $31,257 invested, alongside WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition programs.
Veterinary services secured $46,584 in federal support, intercepted diseased goats to protect the territory, and expanded biosecurity partnerships. The plant nursery received $186,000 in FEMA funds for renovations, while forestry was awarded $500,000 for fruit trees, $225,000 for a nursery grant, $3 million for forest stewardship, and $110,500 for outreach, totaling more than $3.8 million in grants for tree distribution, native plant growth, and forest stewardship.
The food production division delivered over 2 million gallons of water to farmers, completed land preparation and equipment repairs, and hosted youth groups to encourage interest in agriculture. The food production division delivered over 2 million gallons of water to farmers, completed land preparation and equipment repairs, and hosted youth groups to encourage interest in agriculture.
"Currently, 97% of our food supply is imported. It is imperative that our young people are given the tools, education, engagement to the future, agents of change while supporting their need for fresh nutritious food today," said Harith Wickrema, president of Island Green Living.
Other highlights include $900,000 for new cisterns in Estate Bordeaux, a $230,000 water delivery truck, preparations for the first Virgin Islands Agricultural Caribbean Conference in 2026, and improved access to farm liability insurance, with at least three companies now prepared to provide coverage.
"These programs are designed to support local farmers, improve food security, promote sustainable practices, and build a resilient agricultural sector," Petersen said. "Our mission as an agency is to develop, support, and to promote an economically lucrative agriculture industry in the USVI, while supporting farmers, consumers, and the environment."
George emphasized the importance of legislative follow-through. "The success of the agriculture plan depends on collaborative follow-through and transforms legislative intent into real-world results for our producers and our communities," she said.