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February 13, 2008
37TH ANNUAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD FAIR SCHEDULED THIS WEEKEND; AGRIFEST 2008 POSTER UNVEILED The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Agriculture and Food Fair Board, will host the 37th Annual Agriculture and Food Fair this weekend, February 16- 18, 2008, at the Rudolph Schulterbrandt Agriculture Complex on St. Croix.
“This weekend has been set aside to increase consumer education and awareness of the importance of agriculture in the territory,” Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. said. “The economic impact of the territory’s agricultural industry is both substantial and critical. I join with all Virgin Islanders in paying special tribute to our farmers, agriculturalists, as well as to the entrepreneurs and other businesses showcasing their produce, arts and crafts, and other goods and services at this year’s fair,” deJongh continued. This year’s theme, “The Business of Agriculture: The Way Forward”, sets the tone for the event, which will feature hundreds of vendors from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua, Bahamas, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands. Vendors will showcase food, crops, arts and crafts, as well as livestock. Fair attendees will be entertained by local and visiting entertainment, including Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, a Gospel Explosion, Xpress Band, the Rising Stars, Stroka Band, and local calypsonians. This year’s fairgrounds honoree is the late Samuel Moore. The Food Paviolion Honoree is Lorroley Hall; the Farmer’s Market honorees are John and Pearl Duberry; and the Livestock Pavilion honoree is the late Victor Henry Nelthropp. Other honorees include Ignacio Monell, Felix Parrilla, and the late Ireece Joseph. DeJongh thanks all the sponsors of the 37th Annual Agriculture and Food Fair: V.I. Department of Agriculture, University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, V.I. Department of Tourism, HOVENSA, Innovative Communications, AARP of the Virgin Islands, West Indian Company and the V.I. Lottery. In keeping with tradition, the V.I. Department of Agriculture today released the Ag Fair 2008 poster, which features a photo of G. Teresa Jackson, a member of the St. Croix Heritage Dancers. Her dress was designed by Bradley Christian, founder and director of the esteemed cultural group. The photograph was taken by Clarice Clarke, public relations officer for the Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Food Fair. |
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