The Virgin Islands Education Department’s Division of Sustainability & Agricultural Education, in partnership with Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences, hosted a vibrant and educational community showcase at the 29th annual Mango Melee, held at the St. George Village Botanical Garden, according to a press release issued by the department.
The exhibit attracted hundreds of families, students, and community members with hands-on activities that blended science, sustainability, and cultural heritage. A major highlight was “Mango Jeopardy,” a spirited quiz-style game that tested attendees’ knowledge of tropical fruit biology, climate-smart agriculture, and local food systems, the press release stated.
The showcase supported SAE’s mission to promote food sovereignty and security as outlined in the Territorial Agricultural Plan. Climatized seeds and grow bags featuring plant varieties tailored to the Virgin Islands’ unique environmental conditions were on display, demonstrating SAE’s innovative strategies for advancing sustainable agriculture in the territory, the release stated.
“This year’s Mango Melee offered a tremendous opportunity to blend education with tradition,” said Cydney Meadows, director of Sustainability & Agricultural Education. “Our partnership with MANRRS is helping to cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders and empower the wider community with practical knowledge.”
The event also spotlighted SAE’s ongoing efforts, including school garden programs, aquaponics systems, and youth development in sustainable agriculture. MANRRS representatives engaged with students and families about career pathways in agricultural sciences and emphasized the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in shaping the future of food and environmental stewardship, the release stated.
Timed just ahead of International Mango Day on Tuesday, the celebration served as a tribute to the mango’s cultural, nutritional, and economic importance. The event underscored the need to preserve mango biodiversity and support local agriculture as a means of enhancing environmental resilience and community health, it said.
For more information on SAE programs and future collaborations, contact Sumayah Bryan at sumayah.bryan@vide.vi.
