2026 Caribbean Food Crops Society Conference Presentations

2026 CFCS Confernece Presentations

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, is pleased to share the presentations delivered on Wednesday July 15th and Thursday July 16th of the 58th Annual Caribbean Food Crops Society Conference that we hosted on our beautiful island of St. Croix.

These presentations are filled with valuable information for farmers, agricultural professionals, and anyone in the community interested in agriculture. From innovative farming practices to discussions on sustainability and food security, there is something for everyone to learn.

We invite you to explore the resources below and continue growing with us as we work to strengthen agriculture throughout the territory.

Wednesday July 15th

Theme #1 Outreach and Technical Support For Farmers

1 Agriculture Business Center Support Programs for Farmers by Shanta Roberts

2 Support Communication Programs of the UVI School of Agriculture by DeVaughn Taylor and Sherry Embrack

3 Supporting Livestock Health For Increased Production and Profit by Dr. David Wenger

Theme #2 Data and Business of Agriculture

4 Results of the 2023 USVI Agriculture Census Data by Carlos Robles

5 Overview of USVI Food Import Data by Dr. Haldane Davies & Bernesha Liburd

6 VIDA Harvest Report Data by Tafari Tzaddi and Thalia Stanley

7  Prospects for Agribusiness in the USVI by Lee Steiner

Theme #3 Investing in Our Farmers and Discussion of Next Steps

8 Growing Impact by Sommer Sibilly Brown

Theme #4 The Power of Collective  Work and Responsibility

9 Developing the Cooperative Ecosystem by  Jose Ramirez

10 The Wenner Hills Garden Cooperative Experience by Drs. Gemma and Mark Wenner 

11 The Use of the Cooperative Business Model As a Tool For Increasing Production and Marketing in the USVI by Mrs. Shantel Douglas Francis

12  An Overview of Island Food Security, INC. by Dale and Yvette Browne

Thursday July 16th

Theme #5 Sustainable Agriculture Principles, Practices, and Opportunities

1 The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Programs by Mr. Brennan Washington

2 The Science, Principles, and Practices of Organic Farming

2-1 The Science of Organic Farming by Dr. Nate Olive 

2-2 Organic Agriculture 101: by De’Anthony Price

3 The Southeast Transition To Organic Partnership Program

3-1 FLORIDA ORGANIC GROWERS (FOG) by  Sebastian Interlandi 

3-2 NCAT SE TOPP by Gabriella Soto-Velez

4 A Holistic Pest Management Approach on Your Farm by Dr. Amy Dreves

Theme #6 Funding Opportunities for Farmers

5 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Support Program for Farmers by Rudy O’Reilly

6 The VIDA Microgrant Program by Billy Abraham

7 USDA Farm Service Agency Support Programs For Farmers by Madison Charles

Theme #7 Nuturing the Next Generation

8 Women and Youth in Agriculture by Diana Collingwood

9 Update on the Agriculture Curriculum in the Public School System by Cydney Meadows

10 A Vision for a Youth Agripreneur Farm and Resource Center by Eric Sonnier

11 The USVI Conservation Core Program by Dara Cooper, Majestik Estrada Peterson, and  Taj James

11-1 CHANT Conservation Corps Training Program: St. Croix Farms by Dara Cooper

11-2 CHANT-Conservation-Corps-Training-Program by Taj James

11-3 CHANT USVI Conservation Corps by Majestik Estrada Peterson

12 Summer Explorer by Carol Shoy