The air was filled with the aroma of rich soil, fruits, flowers and spices, as the crowds surged into the Violet Drew Farmers Market on the opening day of the V.I. Agriculture and Food Fair Saturday.
As soon as the doors opened, the local farmers started selling produce, plants, trees and value added items while the visiting farmers from other Caribbean islands – their sales prohibited until Sunday – displayed their goods and socialized.
Margaret Roberts traveled with other vendors Friday as Liat Airlines made its way from Grenada and Guyana to St. Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis. She has attended the fair each year for the last five years, bringing items produced by a farmers’ cooperative on the Spice Island. She said the vendors trust her with their products: cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, dried cocoa and nutmeg jam, jelly and syrup, coconut oil, hot sauce, ginger fudge, tamarind balls and essences. Each item is labeled with the vendor’s name. On Saturday Roberts visited with her neighbors and Virgin Islanders who relocated from Grenada.
“People look forward to seeing people from their own country,” she said.
The booth adjoining Grenada’s features produce from Antigua – carrots, ginger, peppers, dried raspberry, cassava, black pineapples and perfectly formed white onions. The centerpiece of the vegetable display was a two-foot tall pumpkin “woman” surrounded by sauces, herbs and spice plants.
The nine-member delegation from Antigua included Annell Nicholas, from the Antigua Ministry of Agriculture. She said they look forward to meeting new people, seeing old friends and getting new ideas, in addition to selling their items.
Local grower Dorcas Griffin set up her stand Friday night. She doesn’t have a farm, but grows her fruit trees in her yard, according to her daughter, Bridget Griffin. Griffin’s collection of plants for sale included cherry guava, polly mango, nutmeg, breadnut and breadfruit saplings. She has been participating in the Agrifest for years. Family members enjoy the animals and food available only once a year at the fair, according to Bridget.
Local vendors Sejah Farm, Errol Chichester and Aberra Bulbulle were busy Saturday, selling produce and talking with customers. More than once, Bulbulle had to explain that sapodillas are fruit and verify the huge, green oblong items on his table were indeed avocados.
Louis Petersen, commissioner of the V.I. Department of Agriculture, said local farmers have been concerned about their crops this year because of the recent heavy rains, but they still showed up to show their produce.
“So we still have the same enthusiasm of the farmers and overflowing participation in the stalls,” Petersen said.
Agrifest continues Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
