Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 BRIGHT V.I. Scholarship, a full-tuition opportunity for talented, motivated middle school students with a passion for science, math, and related fields.
Applications are available for Montessori School scholarships. (Submitted photo)
Offered in partnership with BRIGHT V.I., the Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) is awarding full tuition scholarships through Grade 12 to students entering grades 7–9 who demonstrate strong academic potential, integrity, and interest in science, math, and related fields.
The scholarship is designed to support low to middle income families on St. Thomas and St. John currently attending a Virgin Islands public school, helping talented students gain access to one of the Virgin Islands’ most rigorous academic environments.
Additionally, other partial and full-tuition scholarships at VIMSIA are available for talented local students. Families can learn more by reaching out to Gloria Arpasi, Head of School (hos@vimsia.org).
Applications for the Bright V.I. scholarships are requested before January 31, 2026.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants must:
Be entering Grades 7–9
Be residents of St. Thomas or St. John
Demonstrate interest and aptitude in science, math, and related fields
Have a strong academic record, motivation, and integrity
Priority consideration is given to students with prior MAPS experience at a VI public school
What Students Receive
Scholarship recipients will receive:
Full tuition through Grade 12 at VIMSIA
Enrollment in the IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme
Advanced coursework in physics, computer science, robotics, and more
A college-preparatory education with global recognition
Mentorship, community engagement, and character development opportunities
APPLY HERE
About VIMSIA
The Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) is committed to delivering world-class education that fosters creativity, community, and cultural appreciation. To learn more, visit vimsia.org.
The Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services advises residents of St. Thomas that a live fire training exercise will take place Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 21 and 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Bovoni Landfill.
During this time, residents may notice smoke in the surrounding area. VIFEMS personnel will be on site conducting training operations to strengthen emergency response capabilities. This activity is part of a planned and controlled training exercise, and there is no cause for alarm.
The public is asked to avoid the immediate area, if possible.
We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation.
The Department of Public Works advises the community that road repairs along the Melvin Evans Highway on St. Croix are now scheduled to begin on Thursday, Jan. 22 and will continue through Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.
Motorists should expect detours at the following locations:
Thursday, January 22: William Roebuck Industrial Park traffic light intersection
Friday, Jan. 23: East Airport Road intersection and the Estate Profit traffic light intersection
Monday, January 26: Home Depot traffic light intersection and the Sunny Isles traffic light intersection
The Department of Public Works appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as it works to improve road conditions throughout the territory.
The great house of Whim Estate is no longer a shining example of an architectural wonder built by some of the best builders during the era of the Danish West Indies. It is now being taken over by the elements of nature, where plants and other living organisms like fungi are destroying the structure of the house. (Photo by Olasee Davis)
Whim Museum has been on my mind for some time now, especially the historic structures and ruins of the estate. September of 2026 will be nine years if nothing has been done to restore the great house and other historic structures of the 12-acre property that is owned by the government of the Virgin Islands on behalf of the people of these islands. What gets me is that we say we are a tourist destination, yet our historical landscapes, especially our towns, are deteriorating rapidly.
Olasee Davis, Ph.D. (Submitted photo)
On St. Croix, there are so many historic sites throughout the island breaking into pieces like an old shoe, figuratively speaking. In other words, crumbling historic buildings once built by enslaved Africans and “free slaves“ are now becoming an eyesore. The great house of Whim Estate, particularly, has become no longer a shining example of an architectural wonder built by some of the best builders during the era of the Danish West Indies. It is now being taken over by the elements of nature, where plants and other living organisms like fungi are destroying the structure.
What is so ironic about historic sites on St. Croix is that a study was conducted donkey years ago by the government of the Virgin Islands and the St. Croix Landmark Society to develop St. Croix as a heritage attraction tourism destination. In 1996, the St. Croix Landmark Society prepared a historic attractions feasibility study for the Department of Tourism and Bureau of Economic Research. Dr. George F. Tyson and Maria Eugenia Bacci were the authors of the study. It was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA (Economic Development Administration).
It is an in-depth analysis of how St. Croix, with its vast natural and cultural resources, can become a unique brand for heritage attraction tourism in the Caribbean region and the world. “Intensifying regional competition for heritage tourists is a second concern for Virgin Islanders involved in tourism. In response to rising demand by specialty and cruise ship tourists for a different experience than the conventional sun, sea and sand, other Caribbean islands are busily developing their heritage resources,” note the authors of the document, “St. Croix Historic Attraction.”
Nevertheless, according to the study, the Virgin Islands government has done very little to preserve and promote the development of heritage attractions, establish heritage sites, establish ecological and historical parks, and rescue deteriorating historic towns to capture the heritage tourism market. Believe me, our Caribbean neighbors are far ahead of us when it comes to heritage tourism. I can tell you because I have visited other Caribbean islands for decades, experiencing their natural, historical, and cultural resources.
Whim Museum is a good example of negligence by our government, which is ultimately responsible for the estate — not some organization that dropped the ball when it came to upkeeping the people of the Virgin Islands’ historic site. My God, it is going on nine years since Hurricane Maria devasted the island of St. Croix. And as a community, we have failed Whim Museum by not doing something to restore what was once one of the most popular historic destinations for tourists to visit and locals to learn about the island’s colonial history.
This is Estate Windsor and Windsor Forest, Virgin Islands government property in the northeast central part of St. Croix. Ruins on the estate include an altered windmill, poorly preserved factory, dungeon, livestock pen and the remains of two village houses (slave quarters). (Photo by Olasee Davis)
Believe me, talking culture doesn’t mean anything if we are not living it. However, I must give the Virgin Islands government credit for cruise ships that visit St. Croix on a regular basis. That is a good thing for our local economy. Meanwhile, cruise ship passengers as well as local residents have not gotten the opportunity to tour one of the few 18th century great houses left on the island, showcasing a plantation that was once part of the golden era when sugar was king on St. Croix.
The document, “St. Croix Historic Attraction,” gives us a picture of the large number of heritage sites that have disappeared from the landscape of St. Croix from the 1920s to 1996. In the 1920s, there were 62 sugar factories, 94 plantation villages, 105 great houses, 46 steam mill chimneys, 106 windmill towers, 920 historic buildings in Christiansted, and 711 historic buildings in Frederiksted.
In 1996, there were 20 sugar factories, 22 plantation villages, 31 great houses, 21 steam mill chimneys, 92 windmill towers, 303 historic buildings in Christiansted, and 193 historic buildings in Frederiksted. In 2026, I am afraid to find out how many of these historic buildings, historic sites, etc., are standing in good architectural condition. In fact, in the great central plain of St. Croix, there is a landmark from the colonial era probably standing more than 200 feet tall that we drive by every day.
One of the many historical buildings in Frederiksted that has become a ruin over the decades. (Photo by Olasee Davis)
It is Estate Bethlehem’s Sugar Factory chimney. In 1966, the factory phased out of sugar production and was the largest employer of Crucian workers at that time. This landmark of a historic structure belongs to the people of these islands. Today, the chimney is crumbling, and nobody seems to care about restoring it, even though it was built by our ancestors that have gone before us. The operation of Estate Bethlehem Sugar Factory spanned from the 1740s to 1966.
I will leave you with this quotation from the study of historic attractions on St. Croix. “Collectively, the seven managed historic attractions Estate Whim Plantation Museum, St. George’s Village and Botanical Gardens, Cruzan Rum Distillery, Christiansted National Historic Site, Fort Frederik Museum, Karl and Marie Lawaetz Museum at Little La Grange and Estate Mount Washington are servicing increasing numbers of tourists,” noted the authors of the study.
They further stated, “Total paid admissions at these sites nearly doubled between 1994 and 1995 and went up another 10 percent in 1996.”
People of the Virgin Islands, let us restore Whim great house. I rest my case.
— Olasee Davis is a bush professor who lectures and writes about the culture, history, ecology and environment of the Virgin Islands when he is not leading hiking tours of the wild places and spaces of St. Croix and beyond.
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
Virgin Islands Olympian Eduardo Garcia made a triumphant return to competition this past weekend at the Greenville 5K. In his first race since representing the Territory at the Paris Olympics, Garcia placed 5th overall with a time of 15:08.
Eduardo Garcia (Submitted photo)
Garcia’s performance represented a major milestone in his comeback following two hip surgeries. For the first time since his procedures, he reported no discomfort—a breakthrough after months of limited training. ‘I had a great race in Greenville! This was a big step towards returning to running,’ Garcia said. His 15:08 finish not only signals renewed fitness but also positions him for a promising 2026 season.
Meanwhile, fellow Virgin Islands athlete Omar Simpson has been steadily building momentum in the 400m, showing consistency across two major January meets.
At the UAB Blazers Invitational in Birmingham on January 9, Simpson powered through the banked 200m track to finish 4th overall in 48.44 seconds. Just a week later on the 17th, he took on the flat 300m oval at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, placing 9th overall with a near-identical time of 48.42.
Two different tracks, two different challenges — and Simpson delivered on both. His performances show not only his adaptability but also his determination to keep pushing forward in a demanding event.
Under the morning sun on Monday, voices rose in unity as hundreds of residents, schools, organizations, fraternities, and sororities across St. Croix came together to honor the life, legacy, and enduring message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Little Girl Scout marches during Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. march holding signs that express “Freedom, Faith, and Justice.” (Source photo by Diana Dias)
From the former Carib Supply site to Island Center, marchers walked with purpose — some carrying signs, others carrying memories, all guided by a shared commitment to justice, equality, and community.
Ladies of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are all smiles during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day March on St. Croix. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Rally served not only as a tribute, but as a reminder that Dr. King’s dream continues to call for action, compassion, and courage.
Former senator and community advocate Donna Frett Gregory addressed the crowd, emphasizing the continued responsibility tied to King’s vision.
Girl Scouts of America take part in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day March on Monday morning as the procession moved from the former Carib Supply to Island Center. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
“I believe deeply in the dignity, work, and power of our people. I am honored to stand here with you, the people of St. Croix, who have never been afraid to speak truth to power,” Frett Gregory said.
Ricardo Richards Elementary School’s royalty leads the way as they march for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
She reminded attendees that the holiday represents more than remembrance.
“Martin Luther King is not just about reflection. It is a day of responsibility. Dr. King did not give his life so that we could be comfortable. He did not challenge injustice so that we could be silent. He demanded action, and that call is still with us today.”
Drummers beat drums in unison as they pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
During the rally program, Caleb Joseph of Lew Muckle Elementary School recited the historic “I Have a Dream” speech delivered by Dr. King at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963.
Eta Iota Iota Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated shows their support for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day March on St. Croix. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Festival Prince, Noah Alexander Ramnarine Acevedo of Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School performed “Responsorial Psalm 23,” a passage frequently referenced by King in his sermons and speeches. While Festival Princess Jaylen Rodriguez of St. Patrick’s School sang “You Raise Me Up.” Additional performances included a poem by Dynasty Navarro and music by the Above Average Band of Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School.
Pearl B. Larsen School march from the former Carib Supply site to Island Center during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Rally held Monday morning on St. Croix. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Sen. Clifford Joseph also shared brief remarks, stating, “Reflecting on his words, we are reminded that we can all be of service.”
St. Croix Educational Complex band members walk and play in unity during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Rally on Monday, honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on St. Croix. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Keynote speaker Beverly Joseph spoke about the relevance of King’s teachings to the Virgin Islands.
“Dr. King taught us that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,” Joseph said. “Here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, we understand the struggle for equality. We know endurance shaped by saltwater winds, faith carried across oceans, and people who have learned how to rise again and again despite challenges.”
Kids of St. Croix Christian Academy honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as they march. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
“Our islands are a testament to ancestors who labored without liberty, who sang freedom into existence long before it was law. We dream of an America that sees the Virgin Islands not as an afterthought or a footnote, but as a vital part of this nation,” she added.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” This call to action was one of many quotes attributed to Martin Luther King Jr. during a program held Monday in Cruz Bay to celebrate the birthday of the fallen civil rights leader.
Audience members sing “We Shall Overcome” at the conclusion of the MLK Day ceremony on St. John. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Dozens of St. John community members came together in Frank Powell Sr. Park to remember King’s inspiring words during an event organized by the St. John Pastors Fellowship and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Sigma Theta Omega Chapter.
AKA sorority member Monique Matthias greets a member of the audience. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Throughout the event, speakers called on audience members to question their commitment to upholding the ideals King represented.
Emcee Vankys Izaac, pastor of the Cruz Bay Baptist Church, reminded listeners of King’s message that “Anyone can be great because anyone can serve. Life’s most persistent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’”
Guest speaker Hadiya Sewer began by thanking the elders of the community for “showing us a moral authority that is greater than ourselves.”
Guest speaker Hadiya Sewer tells the audience that “freedom is an ongoing project.” (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
For younger members of the audience who might not understand the term “moral authority,” Sewer provided a definition: “It’s guidance that comes from living with enduring truths about right and wrong, rather than by political structure or convenience.” King did not move “by force of personality alone,” she said, but “by submitting to a higher authority.”
Brownie troop members Divine Marsh and Asiryah Thompson hand out programs for the Cruz Bay MLK event. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
“What are you willing to submit to, and what are you willing to do?” she asked, but she also spoke about the power of collective action. “We cannot (achieve our dreams) by relying on our own moral strength alone. We need community.”
Sewer, who holds a doctorate in Africana Studies from Brown University, was introduced as a “philosopher, community organizer, and consultant.” She is also a mother of two children, and she spoke of how they could not fathom the reality of the mid 20th century when black and white people could not go to school together, marry, or drink from the same water fountain.
Hadiya Sewer and Kurt Marsh, cofounders of the St. JanCo Heritage Collective, arrive in the park for the Martin Luther King Day program. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
“You might say we are already free,” Sewer continued, “but I remind you that freedom is an ongoing project. We (Virgin Islanders) cannot vote for president. We have a nonvoting delegate to Congress which I say is a result of racism. Thirty-three percent of the children (in the territory) live in poverty.”
Sewer reminded the audience that “The freedom struggle of today may not look like the Civil Rights Movement or the (uprising of enslaved Africans on St. John) in 1733 … I have a dream of a place where WAPA stays on, and children are well educated. What is your dream?” she asked.
A teen shows a toddler the “Freedom Statue” in Frank Powell Sr. Park at Monday’s MLK Day event. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Audience members joined her as she concluded with the song “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round.” It was one of several songs shared collectively during the program. Other performers included Willis Fahie Sr. and Lynell Audain, the St. John Recovery Choir, Delroy “Ital” Anthony, and the Dynamic Dancers.
Mom Caroline Slater reads a story from a book in the Little Free Library to 11-month-old twins Charles and Oliver, while dad Victor looks on. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
When the program concluded, vendors opened up tents and tourists wandered through the park. Caroline Slater, visiting with her family from Los Angeles, selected a book to read to her 11-month old twins from the park’s Little Free Library (bearing the motto “Purpose in Paradise”) Residents and visitors moved on with their day to have lunch, head to the beach, and perhaps to reflect on the question, “What are you willing to do?”
A V.I. Police Department spokesperson said that three men found dead of apparent gunshot wounds near an Estate Concordia bin site Monday morning were killed at the scene and that surveillance cameras were not active at the time of the shooting.
“As far as the cameras: we don’t have the camera footage,” VIPD spokesperson Glen Dratte told the Source Monday evening. “The cameras are not actively — they’re not working right now, but we’re still gathering some other information from other sources.”
Dratte said the cameras in question were not operated by the V.I. Police Department but did not know whether the Waste Management Authority or the Public Works Department was responsible for them. A VIWMA spokesperson referred the Source’s questions to VIPD, given the ongoing investigation.
Police said Monday that the 911 Emergency Call Center received a report of three men with gunshot wounds to the head shortly after 8 a.m. Emergency responders pronounced all three dead at the scene. They have been identified as Carlos Parrilla, 60, Fernando Santiago, 49, and Omar Castillo, 37.
Law enforcement has encouraged anyone with information about the killings to contact 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211 or 340-712-6021, or Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-222-8477.
Jan. 19 | 12:45 p.m.
The Virgin Islands Police Department has identified the three men found shot to death Sunday morning near the Concordia Dumpsite on St. Croix, according to the department.
Police said the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call at approximately 8:08 a.m. reporting three men with gunshot wounds to the head in Estate Concordia. Officers, the Criminal Investigation Bureau and Emergency Medical Services responded and confirmed that all three men were deceased at the scene.
The victims were identified as Carlos Parrilla, 60, Fernando Santiago, 49, and Omar Castillo, 37.
The three deaths mark the first three homicides of 2026 for St. Croix and the territory, according to the Source Homicide List.*
“This is an unfortunate act. We are asking for assistance in identifying these males and if anyone has information on this crime to come forward,” CIB Commander Marisol Colon-Santiago said.
Police said there are currently no suspects and the investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211 or 340-712-6021, or Crime Stoppers VI at 1-800-222-8477.
The Source Homicide List is a chronological log of the homicides recorded in 2026 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as reported by the VIPD. Cases are broken down by island. While this listing is based on VIPD reports, the Source does not include suicides or vehicular homicides in its listing, which the police and some other media do. This can lead to a discrepancy in the number of incidents reported.A triple homicide is under investigation in the area of Estate Concordia, St Croix. (Photo courtesy VIPD)
Police are on scene in the area of the Estate Concordia dumpster on St. Croix investigating a triple homicide.
According to information from the Virgin Islands Police Department, at about 8:08 a.m. St. Croix’s 911 Emergency Communications Center received a call from a citizen reporting three men with gunshot wounds to the head.
VIPD patrol units, Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives, and Emergency Medical Services were immediately dispatched. Upon arrival, responders confirmed that all three men were deceased.
The incident remains under active investigation. Authorities say updates will be provided as information becomes available. Anyone seeking further information is asked to call 911.
The Source will update as more information becomes available.
The Virgin Islands Superior Court resolved a 1998 lawsuit against GERS for back pay. (Shutterstock image)
Former Virgin Islands government employees filed a lawsuit in June 1998 claiming they’d been wrongly excluded from retroactive pay raises. On Jan. 9 — 27 and a half years later — the back pay was headed their way.
Superior Court Judge Jomo Meade awarded more than $4.65 million to 32 of the 41 retirees who sued. Nine others had been paid in an earlier ruling, receiving between $73,906 and $205,800 each, according to court records.
The suit against the government of the Virgin Islands and the retirees’ union representatives — with 517 different docket entries — isn’t alone in spanning nearly three decades.
It took 27 years for a suit against St. Croix alumina manufacturers to be resolved. In 1997, St. Croix residents started filing suits claiming huge mounds of red dust and mud — a byproduct of alumina manufacturing — were damaging their health and property.
The resulting class action suit encompassed nearly 3,000 separate suits from more than 1,500 people, and came to include thousands of depositions, according to attorney Lee Rohn in a video on the suit.
Several hundred plaintiffs died waiting for the suit’s resolution, according to court records.
On Aug. 26, 2024, as a trial date drew near, attorneys for Alcoa, St. Croix Alumina, Glencore International, Century Aluminum Company, and associated entities told Judge Andrews that they’d agreed to a deal.
The details of the settlement were not made public but Rohn and others seemed pleased in the video created by Public Justice, a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on systemic threats from “abusive corporate power and predatory practices, the assault on civil rights, and the destruction of the Earth’s sustainability.”
Other lawsuits sit idle.
Many of the people claiming they were wrongly exposed to carcinogens at a St. Croix alumina plant in an October 2007 suit have since died awaiting trial, according to documents obtained by the Source. Their cases were carried on by family members.
Grouped into six lawsuits, the court action brought more than 18 years ago eventually grew to include 138 people claiming injuries to themselves or to family members.
Attorneys for defendants Lockheed Martin Corporation, Martin Marietta Corporation, Martin Marietta Aluminum, Inc., and Martin Marietta Aluminum Properties, Inc. had long argued against a rush to trial, saying nearly two decades was not enough time to resolve legal questions about the case. In January 2024, Lockheed’s local attorney directed the Source to a 6,673-page document detailing the legacy of one claimant’s case. The tome included reams of seemingly unrelated schematics for Lockheed Martin products.
In February 2025, a Superior Court judge scheduled the trial for October of that year. It was never held.
On Jan. 9, the most recent filing in a 2017 suit alleging conspiracy and price-fixing in the Virgin Islands’ lucrative concrete market said, “the case was at a standstill.”
Two St. Croix men, Linus Gilbert and James Jn-Marie, alleged in the suit that two concrete companies, Spartan Concrete Products, LLC. and Heavy Materials, LLC., unfairly divided up the Virgin Islands, resulting in a leap in concrete prices.
After years of aggressive “price war” competition, the two companies secretly agreed to cooperate. Spartan would leave the St. Thomas market and concentrate on St. Croix, and Heavy Materials would likewise abandon St. Croix for St. Thomas, according to the lawsuit.
The sudden end of competitive pricing caused a dramatic increase in cost to consumers. Both companies were then bought by the national brand U.S. Concrete in 2015. U.S. Concrete had two independent monopolies in the Virgin Islands, the suit alleges.
The suit claims the companies violated the Virgin Islands’ antitrust and consumer protection laws.
Both sides in the more than eight-year-old suit were waiting on Superior Court Judge Alfonso G. Andrews Jr. to move the case along, according to court records.
An audience gathers by the stage at the Bordeaux Farmers Market, enjoying the local cultural performance. (Source photo by Finn Sharpless)
Farmers, community groups, and health advocates gathered Saturday and Sunday in the hills of Bordeaux, St. Thomas, for the 27th annual Bordeaux Farmers Rastafari Agriculture and Culture Vegan Food Fair, celebrating local food production, cultural knowledge, and food security in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Speakers described the event, held at the Bordeaux Farmers’ Market, as a space to connect farmers with residents, encourage local food production, and share skills, information, and cultural knowledge.
Organized by We Grow Food Inc, the fair featured workshops, live music, cultural dances, and wellness services, bringing together multiple organizations, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Agriculture Department, the Virgin Islands Conservation Society, Black Sustainability Inc, and AARP.
Sen. Hubert L. Frederick encouraged residents to grow their own food. “We have the best soil, the best climate to grow our own food, and we import 97% of what we eat. If you really want to save money and support our farmers, start planting some of your own food. Every one of us can grow something, whether you live in a housing development or your own home.”
Pamela Toussaint, associate state director of Advocacy and Outreach for AARP V.I., echoed that message. “Any little thing that you can grow,” she said. “Just grow something, anything.”
Two local residents carefully peel and prepare sugarcane at a vendor’s booth, readying it for a line of eager customers. (Source photo by Finn Sharpless)
This year’s theme, “In Agriculture, Many Problems to Fix — Support VI Farmers in 2026,” focused on seed security and AfroEcology. Workshops were led by multiple local groups, including Bonnetta Adeeb of the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, Que Sera Farms, and Black Sustainability Inc, among others. Participants learned about heirloom seeds, seed exchanges, and non-GMO farming practices, all part of broader efforts to promote food sovereignty in the territory.
Usman Adamu, dean and director of the University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture, said the fair reflects the deep connection between agriculture, culture, and community. “This event speaks to the importance of agriculture, food, and culture all combined,” he said. “We are committed to making food available and affordable for the people of the Virgin Islands through the research, outreach, and education we are doing at UVI.”
Adamu noted that UVI fulfills that role as a land-grant institution through research, extension services for farmers, and academic programs. The university currently offers 16 agriculture-related programs and seeks to ensure young people in the Virgin Islands know these opportunities exist locally. “They don’t have to leave the territory to pursue a career in agriculture,” he said, noting strong job demand in the field and calling it “the right time” for students entering agricultural careers.
Several booths highlighted local environmental initiatives. Zenobia Howe, Pollution Prevention coordinator for VI Clean Coasts, and Sienna Gray, deputy director and VI Clean Coasts Program director at the Virgin Islands Conservation Society, said they were at the fair to engage with the community, especially local restaurant owners, and share details about a VI Clean Coasts initiative offering up to $3,500 in seed funding to help businesses reduce waste and adopt more sustainable practices.
At a nearby booth, Ariel Doty and Raina Turner‑Greenlea, with Black Sustainability Inc., said they were in Bordeaux to support Afro‑ecological work and connect people working on similar sustainability projects. Turner‑Greenlea called the fair “a beautiful way to have cultural heritage mixed in with environmentally friendly components, making sure that the community is really engaged and informed, as well as having a good time.” Black Sustainability Inc. is a nonprofit that mobilizes and connects sustainability practitioners and communities of African descent through a global network and promotes culturally relevant ecological education and collaboration.
Dr. Jen, from Paradise Chiropractic and Wellness Center, said produce from the fair is often grown without pesticides or genetic modification and tends to have higher nutritional value than imported food. “These farmers are putting their heart and soul into it,” she said. “It’s important for us to guide our patients to these local vendors so they can build a community of resources outside the clinic.”
Ras Amaha emphasized the value of fresh, locally grown ingredients that don’t require preservatives for shipping. He added that the fair also teaches practical skills residents can use at home. “People should come to practice the things we demonstrated, like bread baking and preparing food without electricity,” he said, noting the challenges after hurricanes when power outages make cooking difficult. “Everyone needs to eat.” Amaha also highlighted cultural aspects of the event, including youth activities and a concert featuring local music and dance.
A “Kultural Fashion Show,” presented by New African Market and Majestik Freedom, showcased people of all ages wearing local and traditional garb, highlighting the importance of cultural heritage in the Virgin Islands. (Source photo by Finn Sharpless)
The Youth and Family Activity Center offered hands-on experiences in planting, clay play, coloring, basket weaving, and Bamboula workshops led by Sistah Irieah Maria Aurora Stiles. Families engaged in educational and cultural activities while learning about sustainable farming and local food practices.
Ras Selah accepts the Farmer of the Year award, expressing gratitude and encouraging the community to involve the next generation in local agriculture. (Source photo by Finn Sharpless)
Ras Selah, the year’s Farmer of the Year, said the turnout and interest in healthy eating were encouraging. “A good turnout, a lot of people are interested in eating healthy and seeing the ways around eating healthy,” he said. Selah urged the community to rally around local agriculture and embrace traditional growing practices. “We need to come together and work on our agriculture infrastructure. We need to eat healthy.”
Overall, the 27th annual Bordeaux Farmers Rastafari Agriculture and Culture Vegan Food Fair highlighted the deep connection between food, culture, and community in the Virgin Islands. From workshops on seed saving and sustainable farming to hands-on activities for families, local music, and artisanal vendors, the event offered residents a chance to learn, celebrate, and support local agriculture.
