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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesBrief: Southern Ag Officials Feted at Government House

Brief: Southern Ag Officials Feted at Government House

Kicking off a weekend of agriculture-related events, Gov. John deJongh Jr. and other high territorial officials met and dined with state officials in the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA) in St. Croix’s historic Government House ballroom.
The quiet echoing murmurs and well-dressed crowd set an elegant, convivial tone Thursday as painted portraits of historical figures looked down from their gilt frames upon the packed ballroom. White-jacketed waiters and waitress slid quietly through the crowd, offering canapés as Oreo’s Steelpan Band and the St. Croix Educational Complex Quelbe Band provided the musical backdrop.
After dinner, the St. Croix Heritage Dancers danced quadrille and new SASDA officers were installed. Several local farmers and farming groups were also honored and presented with plaques: Mario Gasperi, Hans Lawaetz and the Nelthropp family were honored for their role in the development and promotion of the Senepol cattle breed and the St. Thomas agricultural cooperative, We Grow Food Inc., and the V.I. Farmer’s Cooperative on St. Croix were honored for their efforts in expanding the availability of fresh, local produce.
Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen is currently serving as president of the organization, and this is the first time the annual event has taken place in the territory. Its members include 15 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The mission of SASDA is to represent the southern region state departments of agriculture by developing and implementing sound public policies and programs to support and promote the regional agricultural industry.

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