>>> WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF "RECOVERY IN FOCUS," WHEN HURRICANES HIT THE TERRITORY IN 2017, WE WERE FACED WITH MORE THAN JUST DAMAGES, OUR COMMUNITY GRAPPLED WITH INCREASING CONCERNS OVER FOOD SECURITY.

WHAT COULD WE DO IF WE COULD NOT HAVE CARGO SHIPMENT, WOULD WE BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN OURSELVES?

WE WILL SPEAK WITH THOSE IN CHARGE OF ENSURING JUST THAT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ARE HERE TO GIVE US THE LATEST DETAILS ON THE INITIATIVES.

FIRST, HERE´S THE MOST RECENT NEWS ON GOING RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.

>>> FROM THE WTJX STUDIO.

AUGUST AND THE NEWS COVERAGE BEGINS WITH A TERRITORY WIDE UPDATE ON HOUSING PROJECTS FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY.

>> THE REBUILDING OF ROOFS IS PROGRESSING WELL.

95% OF THIS CONTRACT IS COMPLETED AND HOPEFULLY WE SHOULD HAVE 100% COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE MONTH, AUGUST, PUTTING US AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

DAMAGED ROOFS ON BUILDING 25 IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER, REPAIR CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO CUSTOM BUILDERS WITH A NOTICE TO PROCEED TO EXECUTE, AND COMMENCE ON JUNE 29TH, 2021, FOR A PERIOD OF 180 CALENDAR DAYS.

THE CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE IS DECEMBER 28TH.

2021.

WE HAVE 25% OF THE CONTRACT COMPLETED THUS FAR.

NEW BOND BEAMS HAVE BEEN FORMED AND THE ROOF HAS BEEN COMPLETE ED AND IT´S THE UPPER PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

ON BUILDING 25, FRAMING OF THE ROOF IS CURRENTLY UNDER PROGRESS.

ON THE BIG ISLAND OF ST. CROIX, IT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO O´REILLY PLUMBING AND CONSTRUCTION INC.

THE NOTICE TO PROCEED WAS EXECUTED TO COMMENCE WORK ON AUGUST 16TH, 2021.

AND FINALLY, WE HAVE THE COMPREHENSIVE DEMOLITION OF THE SITE AND BUILDING.

THIS CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO JAY BENTON CONSTRUCTION LLC TO DEMOLISH AND REMOVE 70 RESIDENTIAL UNITS, NINE BUILDINGS AND ONE COMMUNITY CENTER FROM THE DEVELOPMENT.

>> DEMOLITION HAS BEGUN AND SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY DECEMBER 2021, THE AUTHORITY PERSISTS ON THE PATH.

A BIG PROJECT IS UNDER WAY ON THE SMALL ISLAND.

THE FIRST OF A THREE PHASE PROJECT HAS BEEN STARTED, IT´S AN UNDERGROUND POWER LINES ON ST. JOHN.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS ON THE $12 MILLION PROJECT.

>>> RIGHT NOW, WE ARE DOING THE PHASE ONE.

WE START TO TEAR IT UP AND THEN IT WILL GO THROUGH THE TOWN.

UP TO THE JUNCTION.

THERE´S ALSO GOING TO BE A PHASE TWO, WHICH ALSO STARTS.

AND IT WILL GO UP TO CENTER LINE ROAD, UP TO THE CLINIC.

AND THEN, THERE´S GOING TO BE A PHASE THREE THAT GOES ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE, AND UP YOU TO A POINT JUST PAST THE HOTEL.

THE MORE UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE IN PLACE, THAT´S THE LESS AMOUNT OF RESTORATION ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NEEDED ON OVERHEAD INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND IT´S ALSO, ONCE IT´S INSTALLED, THERE´S LESS OPERATIONAL COST.

>> WE WILL INCREASE OUR RESTORATION TIME BY AT LEAST OVER 30%, THAT IS INVOLVING ANY OUTAGES.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE WHOLE BEAUTY OF ST. JOHN WITHOUT OUR ELECTRICAL POLES.

IT IS ALONG SIDE OUR TEAM WILL BE MAKING SURE THAT NOTHING IS HARMED.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN ON PACE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT BEFORE JUNE, 2022.

AND MORE THAN ONE PROJECTS ARE UNDER WAY.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH MR. WHITE, ONE OF THE MANY SITES OUR CONSTRUCTION OR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, PARKS AND RECREATION.

>> THIS BALLPARK MEANS A LOT TO THIS COMMUNITY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 200 HOMES IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.

BUT, LET´S TALK ABOUT THE ISLAND, THIS FEEL SERVES THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HAVE ACCESS TO A BASEBALL FIELD.

IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT SOMETHING CLOSE, YOU PROBABLY HAVE TO GO ON THE EASTERN ISLAND OR THE WESTERN END OF THE ISLAND, THE ESTIMATE PROJECT COSTS OF THE FACILITY IS OVER $200,000.

SOME OF THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE, WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING BACK UP A NEW SCOREBOARD, SWITCHING OUR LIGHTS FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM TO L.E.D.s AND WORK DONE ON THE PRESS BOX AND ADDITIONAL WORK DONE ON THE FENCING.

SO WE ARE EXCITED TO GET THIS COMPLETED WHERE WE CAN START SEEING MORE ACTIVITY AT THE PEDRO CRUZ BALL FIELD.

>> THE MANAGER OF THE CONSTRUCTION GIVES ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON THE SCHEME OF WORK.

>> WELFARE LIGHTING POLES WITH STRUCTURAL ISSUES.

THOSE ISSUES, THE FOUNDATIONS OF THOSE POLES WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND NEW CONCRETE WILL BE DONE.

AND ONCE THE NEW CONCRETE IS DONE.

THOSE LIGHT POLLS WILL BE PUT BACK IN PLACE.

THOSE LIGHT POLLS ALSO, SOME OF THEM REQUIRE A LOT OF CHANGE OUT OF THE LIGHTING FIXTURES.

THOSE LIGHTING FIXTURE-S WILL BE THE NEW UPGRADED LIGHTING FIXTURES THAT WERE APPROVED BY THE TERRITORY.

>> THE PARKS RESTORATION SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2021.

THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROJECT UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

COMMISSIONER WHITE HAS MORE.

>> CURRENT WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL PROJECTS ON GOING, WHERE WE HAVE CONTRACTORS ON SITE, ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS IS THE WINDSTON RAMOS CENTER.

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT FACILITY IS BIG TO THAT COMMUNITY.

IT HOUSES SOME OF THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMPS, AS WELL AS JUST YOUTH PROGRAM FORCE THE COMMUNITY.

SO, WE HAVE A CONTRACTOR ON SITE, THAT PROJECT IS 80% COMPLETED.

ANOTHER PROJECT THAT WE HAVE A CONTRACTOR ON SITE IS THE HILL, OR ALSO KNOWN AS THE LOOK-OUT, WHERE IT´S A BIG, BIG SITE FOR TOURISTS THAT FACILITY IS 90% COMPLETED, NEW LIGHTS, SOME WALL WORK IS GOING TO BE DOING THERE.

AND WE HAVE EDUCATORS PARKED WHERE WE HAVE HAD WALL WORK, SOME OF THE MONUMENTS AND SOME OF THE TABLES AND CHAIRS THAT WE WILL BE PUTTING BACK THERE.

THAT PROJECT IS COMPLETED, THE DEPARTMENT IS MOVING FORWARD.

WE ARE STARTING TO SEE A LOT OF THE PROJECTS STARTING TO ROLL OUT AND I´M VERY, VERY EXCITED BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO BE TURNING THESE FACILITIES OVER TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> ALSO, ON ST. THOMAS, A RECENT APPROVAL SIGNALING PROGRESS AND A PATH FORWARD.

DARRYL SMALLS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOSPITAL FACILITIES AND CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE TERRITORIAL HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT TEAM SHARED THE GOOD NEWS.

>>> I´M STANDING IN FRONT OF THE CANCER INSTITUTE, WHICH WAS SEVERELY DEVASTATED FOLLOWING HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA.

I´M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE FEMA HAS DECLARED THAT THIS FACILITY WILL RECEIVE IS FULL FUNDING FOR A FULL REPLACEMENT.

THE EXECUTIVE TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING WITH EYP INC., THAT´S THE ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS WHO ARE UNDER CONTRACT FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT AND REDESIGN OF THE FACILITY.

WE ARE LOOKING AT ADDING GENERATING CAPABILITIES.

EVERYTHING THAT WILL MAKE THE FACILITY TO BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE NEXT SET OF HURRICANES THAT IMPACT OUR TERRITORY AND THAT WAY, WE WILL, WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY DISRUPTION OF SERVICES TO OUR PATIENTS.

WORKING WITH THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY, AND OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, FEMA, TO MAKE SURE THAT TIMELY PROCESSING OF THE PAYMENTS THAT WAY WE ENABLE THAT THERE´S NO DISRUPTION TO THE DELIVERY OF EQUIPMENT, AND CONTRACTORS ARE PAID IN A TIMELY BASIS AND THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH THE ODER HAVE RESOLVED.

>> LET´S SHIFT BACK OVER TO ST. CROIX FOR AN UPDATE ON PORT AUTHORITY´S MARINE CAR GOES WAREHOUSE FACILITY, AT THE WIL FORD BOMBA, ALEX PORT AND SHIPMENT CENTER.

WE WERE ON SITE TO PROVIDE A STATUS UPDATE.

WHAT YOU SEE BEHIND ME IS A STRUCTURAL PHASE OF THE PROJECT.

WE ARE BUILDING THE FOUNDATION WHICH -- WE HAVE THE PLUMBING, SANITARY SYSTEM, AND THE STORM SEWER SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED.

AT THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PROJECT, WE HAVE THE OFFICE WHICH HAS 30 FOOT WALLS AND THOSE ARE CURRENTLY COMPLETED, AND WE WILL BE SOON STARTING THE BEAM AND ROOF SYSTEM.

>> WE ALSO SPOKE TO WILLIAM BINKY, SENIOR ENGINEER AT THE PORT AUTHORITY, WHO PROVIDED A DETAILED BREAK DOWN OF THE PROJECTS FUNDING AND SCOPE.

>>> THIS $16 MILLION PROJECT IS BEING COVERED BY INSURANCE PROCEEDS AS THE OLD BUILDING WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY HURRICANE MARIA, BACK IN 2017.

AND THE NEW FACILITY WAS STANDING IN THE SAME LOCATION WITH THE SAME SIMILAR SQUARE FOOTAGE, HAVING A TOTAL AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 43,000 SQUARE FEET.

THE PROJECT BENEFITS THE COMMUNITY, AS IT´S A ONE STOP SHOP.

VIPA, CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AND THE MAJOR TRANSSHIPMENT COMPANIES CAN OPERATE OUT OF THIS FACILITY.

WITH AN ON SIGHT FACILITY ACCOMMODATING OUR SHIPMENT COMPANIES AND A CAPACITY THAT HAS A CONSIDERABLE PERCENTAGE OF MATERIALS BROUGHT IN ON A WEEKLY BASIS, OPERATIONS CAN FLOW MORE SMOOTHLY.

>> THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HELD A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING VIA YOUTUBE TO SHARE CRITICAL INFORMATION WITH THE RESIDENTS OF PARADISE AND THE TERRITORY.

AHEAD OF THE DEMOLITION OF THE EVELYN WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON SAINT CROIX, JOHN THOMPSON, OF 11 CONSTRUCTION FIELDED QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS ON THE TIME LINE AND SAFETY MEASURES.

>> THERE WILL BE LOTS OF SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE, BEGINNING WITH A SECURITY FENCE AROUND THE WHOLE PROPERTY.

IT WILL BE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SCHOOL.

NO, WE WILL HAVE IS A NEW SECURITY FENCE WITH A SECURE ENTRY GATE ON IT AS WELL.

AND DURING DEMOLITION, WE WILL HAVE WATER BEING SPRAYED AS WE ARE DEMOLISHING TO DO KEEP THE DUST UNDER CONTROL.

ADDITIONAL MEASURES, ASBESTOS WILL BE WILL A TOP PRIORITY AND THAT WILL BE CONTAINED IN LOCK STORAGE, SHIPPING CONTAINERS THAT WILL BE WILL CLEARLY MARKED ASBESTOS AND IT WILL BE WITHIN THE FACE STAGE THERE UNTIL THEY ARE READY TO BE SHIPPED OFF ISLAND.

ONCE WE HAVE PERMITS IN HAND, WE WILL BE BEGINNING WITH THE ASBESTOS REMEDIATION.

I DON´T HAVE A DATE.

BUT THAT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NOVEMBER.

ONCE THAT IS COMPLETELY DEMOLITION WILL BEGIN AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT RUNNING UNTIL PROBABLY THE END OF JUNE, BEGINNING OF JULY RIGHT NOW IS WHERE THAT IS SCHEDULED.

>> THE COMMISSIONER, RAKELL BARRY BENJAMIN WAS ON HAND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

>> THE QUESTION WAS, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE NAME.

WILL IT NO LONGER EXIST AS A SCHOOL IN THE USGI, WE HAVE HAD THE QUESTION OFTEN HERE AT THE DIDE AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS TRANSFORMATION.

THE SHORT ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS NO.

THE DETAILED RESPONSE WILL BE THAT THE NAME IS HONORED.

THE SCHOOLS ARE NAMED AFTER OUTSTANDING VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

AND AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WE ARE COMMITTED TO HONORING THE LEGACY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS.

AND THROUGHOUT OUR NEW FACILITY WE WILL HONOR THE OUTSTANDING VIRGIN ISLANDERS, MANY OF THEM EDUCATORS.

AND THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING.

DIFFERENT SECTIONS.

DIFFERENT BUILDINGS WITHIN THE BUILDINGS.

IT´S THE SAME SCHOOLS.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE LEGACY OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS ARE ARE UPHELD.

>> THE SCHOOLS ARCHITECT, REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE DESIGN BUILD RFP FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW ARTHUR RICHARDS IS CURRENTLY OUT FOR BID AND DUE OUT FOR SEPTEMBER 18TH.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UP TO DATE NEWS ON ALL DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, LOG TO WWW.USVIODR.COM.

>>> THANK YOU, AND IT´S DEFINITELY A LOT GOING ON.

WHOA.

JOINING ME ON SET NONE OTHER THAN MY COHOST, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.

LET´S WELCOME HIM TO THE SHOW AS ALWAYS.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> AS WELL AS WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE TA NELSON, COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL, AND DEPUTY COMMISSIONER MS. HANNAH CARDY, AND IT´S A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON TODAY´S SHOW AND I WILL JUST SHOOT IT OVER TO MY COHOST WHO WILL TELL US WHAT´S GOING ON ALL ACROSS IN HIS NECK OF THE WOODS IN HOUSING.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT´S A PLEASURE TO ALWAYS BE HERE.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT I WANT TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT YOU AND KNOW ABOUT.

IS THAT IN THE ENVISION PROGRAM, WE PAID OUT OVER $300 MILLION TO SO, OUR CONTRACTORS, HAVE BOTH RECEIVED $300 MILLION FROM THE PROGRAM AND AS YOU KNOW, WE REPRESENTED PERMIT REPAIRS FOR OVER 1, 516 HOMES AND OVER 6,000 REPAIRS SO PEOPLE COULD SAFELY SHELTER AT HOME.

IT´S GREAT TO SEE THAT FEMA RELEASED THE PAYMENTS AND WE SHOULD BE DONE WITH THE PAYMENT PROCESS OF THIS BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS, AND SAYING THANK YOU TO AND CONTRACTORS THAT WERE LOCAL AND OUT OF THE AREA.

WE HAVE APPRECIATED THAT WE CAN PAY YOU AND MOVE YOU FORWARD.

>>> ANOTHER THING THAT I DEFINITELY WANT TO BRING TO THE PUBLIC´S ATTENTION TOO AS WELL.

THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THE ERAP PROGRAM HAS STARTED TO MAKE PAYMENTS OUT TO INDIVIDUALS.

SO, THE ERAP PROGRAM, AS YOU KNOW, IT´S A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE LOST INCOME BECAUSE OF THE COVID.

SO, WITH THAT, WITH THIS PROGRAM, WE ARE SENDING OUT CHECKS THAT YOU WITH MAKE PAYMENTS ON YOUR RENTAL, AND ALSO ON YOUR UTILITIES.

SO, THE PUBLIC IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED THAT WE CAN GO AHEAD AND SHARE THAT WITH PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO, THAT´S BEEN A FANTASTIC THING FOR US.

SO, WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT´S GREAT.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING.

SO -- IT´S EXCELLENT NEWS.

>> I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN ASKING AND IT´S GREAT TO SAY THAT IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST, WE ARE MAKING PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS.

THAT CAN GO TO THEIR BOTTOM LINES.

AND, THIRD THING THAT WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT, TOO, AS WELL, IS NOT JUST OUR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, NOT JUST THE ENVISION PROGRAM, BUT WE HAVE IN THE ENVISION PROGRAM, WE PUT OUT RFP FOR 200 HOMES SO THAT MEANS BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, AUGUST 30th, CONTRACTORS ARE GOING SEND US BACK IN BIDS FOR 200 HOMES AND THE PRICE TO REPAIR THE HOMES.

THAT MEANS SHORTLY IN THIS YEAR, WE WILL HAVE OVER 200 HOMES BEING WORKED ON, AND PERMANENT RAILROADS FOR HOMES DAMAGED IN THE HURRICANE.

>> THAT´S REALLY KEY TO HELP TO MOVE IT ALONG.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU ALREADY DETERMINED ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM?

>> DETERMINED ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM, WE TERM 600 PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

SO, IT WILL BE THE 1/3 OF THEM WILL BE MOVING FORWARD.

AND THEN, THE GOAL IS AS SOON AS WE GET THE 1/3 MOVING IS TO DO ANOTHER 1/3 AGAIN.

WE WILL KEEP HELP MOVING IT AND GET THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GETTING BERGEN.

WE HAVE TOUCHED OVER 8,000 PEOPLE AND WE WANT TO FINISH IT STRONG TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REMAINING 600 HAVE REPAIRS DONE AND THEY CAN SAFELY LIVE IN THEIR HOMES.

>> THAT IS FANTASTIC AND IT´S A GREAT UPDATE ON THE HOUSING ASPECTS.

ENVISION, TOMORROW, STEP, THE RENTAL EMERGENCY PROGRAM.

IT´S GOOD FOR PEOPLE OF NEED IN THE TERRITORY.

>>> WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE VENDORS AND PATRONS IN THE REVITALIZED AREA.

HERE´S WHAT THE MAN ON THE STREET HAD TO SAY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SWEET POTATO, PLANTAINS, GREENS AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS BECAUSE WE ARE MISSING A LOT OF THINGS HERE.

WATERMELON.

PUMPKIN, AND ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WE NEED HERE IN THE MARKET.

>> I WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE TO SEE SUGAR CANE AND ALSO, COCONUT WATER.

WE PRODUCE A LOT OF COCONUT AND SUGAR CANE HERE ON THE ISLAND AND IT WOULD BE NICE IF SOMEONE TAKE UP THAT GESTURE AND THAT HAVE A GREAT IMAGINATION TO BRING SUGAR CANE AND COCONUT WATER HERE AND TO PICK UP THE ISLAND.

>> WE NEED TO -- WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE AND WE LIVE ON AN ISLAND, WE RELY ON TOO MUCH ON FOREIGN GOODS.

>> COMMISSIONER.

SO, WE HARD A LOT OF THINGS.

SOME OF THE THINGS THEY WANTED IN THE MARKET.

AND YOU HEARD ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURAL.

SO, WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT´S STANCE ON THOSE COMMENTS.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

TO HAVE A FUTURE, WE HAVE TO INTEREST THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

THAT STARTED, THEY HAVE TO BUILD UP AN INTEREST AND PURSUE CAREERS.

SO WE HAVE SUPPORTED THE FUTURE FARMER´S OF AMERICA AND GETTING THEM BACK ACTIVE AGAIN, WHICH WE DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN BEFORE COVID SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING.

WE WERE, THE SCHOOLS WERE HAVING ACTIVE GARDENS, AND MOST OF THE SCHOOLS, AS YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY HAD A MANDATE TO HAVE A GARDEN IN EVERY SCHOOL.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CONTINUED TO HAVE TRAINING PROGRAMS.

NOT JUST FOR YOUNG FARMERS BUT CURRENT FARMERS TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY.

IT´S ALL ABOUT TRAINING AND WE NOW HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE YOUNGER FOLKS.

WE AGREE WITH THAT AND AGREE WITH AS MANY COMMODITIES TO PRODUCE HERE, WE SHOULD.

THE GROUND CAN TAKE MOST OF THE THINGS.

>> THAT´S GOOD, THAT´S REALLY GOOD.

AND WE HAD A PATRON SHARE HER OPINION TO LOCAL MEAT PRODUCTION.

>> WE SHOULD HAVE LOCAL MEAT.

CHICKEN.

MORE LOCAL FARMING ANIMALS.

WE HAVE TO GO TO THE STORE TO BUY THAT.

IF YOU HAVE IT GROWN AND RAISED HERE, IT WILL BE BETTER.

FRESH MEAT IS BETTER MEAT.

IT´S BETTER FOR YOUR SOUL.

>> COMMISSIONER, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY.

YOU HEARD, WE NEED COCONUTS AND CANE AND YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT KIND OF MEAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> FRESH MEAT MAKES SENSE.

OF COURSE, IN THE ADVENT VACUUM PACKING, IT MADE COMPETITION FOR FRESH MEAT COMPETITIVE BECAUSE VACUUM PACKED MEAT IS CONSIDERED GRASS.

RAISED IN THE PASTURE IS MORE HEALTHY FOR YOU SHE IS RIGHT.

WE ARE UP TO PAR AND BACK UP RUNNING AND HOPE TO BE ABLE TO BE CONSISTENT IN KEEPING IT OPEN.

IT´S IMPORTANT THAT THERE´S ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES.

>> AND I WANT TO ADD, WE FACILITATE THE SHIPMENT OF ANIMALS ON THE ISLAND.

SO, WE SHIP ANIMALS FROM ST. THOMAS TO SLAUGHTER AND THE MEAT GOES BACK.

SO FRESH MEAT IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

>> I WAS ON THE RADIO SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS ABOUT THE -- WAS NOT UP AND RUNNING AND THE FACT THAT YOU DO HAVE TO SHIP THE MEAT BACK AND FORTH.

AND I KNOW IT´S A DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECT, YOU MADE PROGRESS ON SAINT CROIX, AND IT´S OPEN NOW.

>> YES, WE, WE DID A MAJOR OVERHAUL ON IT AND IT WAS OPEN PRIOR, WHEN THE CONDENSER BLEW UP.

WE SHUT DOWN.

AND NOW WE ARE STARTING BACK UP.

WE DID HAVE TO INSTALL A GENERATOR BUT WE ARE FINE AND READY TO GO.

>> WE ARE WORKING THROUGH GETTING OUR, THIS UP ON ST. THOMAS.

>>, SO WE RECENTLY COMPLETED A STUDY, AND STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BUILDING WAS SAFE.

WE DID HAVE DAMAGE FROM THE SMALL STORM THAT BLEW THROUGH LAST YEAR, IT CAUSED A PORTION OF THE ROOF TO COLLAPSE.

WE GOT A STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT DONE THAT DETERMINED THE BUILDING WAS SAFE.

WORKING THROUGH THE DISASTER RECOVERY PROCESS TO HAVE A SCOPE OF WORK DRAWN UP SO WE CAN HAVE THE WORK COMPLETED.

>> SOME OF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS GAVE US AN UPDATE ON WHAT IS GOING WITH THE EFFORTS LET´S TAKE A LOOK.

>> I´M THE DIRECTOR OF THE ST. CROIX -- THIS PROJECT WAS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE IN TWO MONTHS HOWEVER, IT TOOK US THREE WEEKS.

I HAVE MR. ATWELL AND JAMIE MILL OUT HERE TO DISCUSS WITH YOU THE DETAILS OF THE SCOPE OF WORK THAT WAS DONE.

>> A PORTION ON THE BILLING AND WE REMOVE AND REPLACE THE METAL DOORS FOR THE GENERATOR ROOM AND ALSO, WE CHANGE THE -- ON THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE ITSELF.

>> WELL, THIS IS KUDOS, IT´S A REALLY GREAT START AND I KNOW THAT IT´S SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS THE COMMUNITY.

>> YES, YOU KNOW, FRESH MEAT, LIKE THE LADY STATED, AS THE ABILITY TO HAVE FRESH MEAT, IT GOES IN THE CONVERSATION.

>> AND THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW, THE GENERATOR THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO INSTALL, THE FRESH MEAT HAS TO STAY FRESH.

I KNOW THAT WE HAD PICTURES AND OTHER INFORMATION ON THE PROJECTS THAT WE, THAT WAS DONE OVER THERE, YOUR VETERINARY BUILDING AND OTHER PROJECTS.

LET´S TAKE A LOOK.

>>> I AM DR. BETHENNY BRADFORD, DIRECTOR OF VETERINARIAN SERVICES FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL.

WE ARE HERE TODAY IN THE VETERINARY SERVICES BUILDING.

FOLLOWING THE DAMAGES FROM HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA, IN 2017.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD OUR BUILDING REFURBISHED AND PUT BACK RIGHT.

>> MY NAME IS CARLTON FREEMAN.

FROM FREEMAN CONCEPTION MANAGEMENT FIRM L WILL -- LLC, I HAD QUITE A GOOD DAMAGE.

THE GUTTER WAS FULL OF LEAVES AND PLANTS GROWING IN IT.

FALLING DOWN.

THE BUILDING IS ALL CHIPPED UP.

YOU KNOW, REALLY LOOKING DOWN.

AND WE DID A GOOD JOB HERE.

YOU KNOW, SCRAPING IT, POWER WASH IT.

REPLACE THE GUTTER ENDS.

REPLACE DOORS AND THE WINDOWS.

GIVE IT A FRESH LOOK.

YOU KNOW, MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A PLACE THAT YOU WANT TO DO COME AND DO BUSINESS.

>>> THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORK GOING ON OVER THERE ON THE SHELTER.

>> TOTAL RESTORATION THAT IS TAKING PLACE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT IT´S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GET TO THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

BUT -- >> YES, YOU STILL HAVE A FEW MORE PROJECTS THAT ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

YOU HAVE THE LIFE START AND PAVILION BUILDING.

AND WE SPOKE TO THE CONTRACTOR WHO IS ACTUALLY DOING THE REPAIRS.

>> I´M THE OWNER OF TOWN HALL BUTTERS.

WE ARE ONE OF THE CONTRACTORS HERE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL.

WE START IN THE PAVILION BUILDING WHICH IS ABOUT 16,000 SQUARE FOOT.

AND ABOUT 4,000 SQUARE FEET ON THE SIDES.

A TOTAL OF ABOUT 20,000 SQUARE FEET.

OUR MAIN JOB WAS TO CHANGE SOME DAMAGE AND TO RESTORE OR REPLACE ALL THE SHEETING AND THE ROOF.

>> DO YOU HAVE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON OVER THERE.

AND HE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE DAMAGES.

WHERE, WHERE DOES THE SHELTER COME THROUGH?

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF MINI PROJECTS.

AND YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CONTRACTORS TELL ME YOUR APPROACH AND DOING SOME OF THE REPAIRS?

>> WELL, OF COURSE, WE ARE QUICK TO FINISH.

AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PROCESS FOR THE BIGGER PROJECTS THAT THIS TAKES A LOT MORE ENGINEERING.

AND SO, I WAS SAMPLING THESE THINGS.

THE BUILDING, THE VETERINARIAN BUILDING AND THE GARAGE IS ON THE WAY.

THESE HAVE DONE MAJOR WORK.

THE PAVILION AND THE LIFESTYLE BUILDING AND THE HOMESTEAD BUILDING.

THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

SO, THEY ARE ABLE TO EASIER AND CONTRACT TO GET DONE.

WE HAVE REMOVED THEM RIGHT AWAY.

AND THERE´S SOME THAT TAKE MORE TIME BECAUSE THERE´S MORE GOING IN TO DESIGN.

>> YOU DO A LOT THOUGH, AND I, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER WITH WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE UNSPOKEN THINGS.

WHAT IS SEEN IN THE COMMUNITY IS HOW BRING US TOGETHER.

WELL, WE TALK ABOUT THE PROJECTS.

>> WE ARE DOING THE RECOVERY PROJECTS WHILE WE TRY TO MAINTAIN OPERATIONS.

SO, MIND YOU, WHEN IT RAINS AND THE GARAGE IS FLOODED OUT AND FILLED WITH TWO INCHES OF WATER AND THE MECHANICS ARE TRYING TO CHANGE, I THINK I POSTED SOMETHING ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE WHERE THEY WERE LIFTING OUT AN ENGINE USING A BACKHOE, THEY JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN.

SO I CONGRATULATE THE EMPLOYEES THERE.

I DRIVE THEM HARD.

WE ARE TRYING TO MEET ALL THE MANDATES AND GET THE WORK DONE.

BUT I THANK THEM FOR WHAT THEY PUT FORWARD AND WORKING WITH THE RESOURCES AND WE ARE OUTDOORS.

IT´S REAL DUSTY, ST. THOMAS WE HAVE DONE A, I THINK, FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN THERE, THEY MUST HAVE ARE NOTICED THAT THERE´S A REAL DIFFERENCE.

A TOTAL MAKE-OVER HAPPENED.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE JUST GOING ALONG AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN THE MEANTIME, AGAIN, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING THAT WILL TAKE LONGER BECAUSE A LOT MORE WORK IS GOING IN TO THAT.

>> YES, I MEAN, THERE´S, AND I WANT TO JOIN THEM.

AND GIVE KUDOS TO YOUR TEAM.

BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT WORKING IN THOSE FACILITIES.

THAT IS WHY THE PUSH IS TO TRY TO GET THE RECOVERY PROJECTS DONE.

>> YEAH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO TEMPORARY FACILITIES.

>> THE ONE FOR ST. JOHN, WE ARE TRYING TO GET BIDDERS IN SO WE CAN HAVE THE PROJECT UNDER WAY AS WELL.

>> THAT IS FANTASTIC.

>> THAT´S -- WELL, YOU KNOW, WE LOOKING FORWARD TO DO A COMPLETELY REVITALIZED ROOF AND SHELTER AND AGRICULTURE AL COMPLEX.

>> MANY ARE COMPLIMENTING THE COLOR OF THE MARKETING BUILDING.

SO TAKE SOME CREDIT FOR THAT.

>> YES, YOU CANNOT MISS IT WHEN YOU DRIVE BY, AND WE SEE IT.

IT´S VERY PROMISING AND FOR THE WORK WE ARE DOING HERE.

>> WE APPRECIATE WHAT THE OFFICE IS DOING TO GET US GOING.

>> GREAT, EXCELLENT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK BETWEEN THE DISTRICTS.

YOU KNOW, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE MARKET BUILDING THE FOOD PREPARATION BUILDING, ALL OF THE OTHER BUILDINGS THAT YOU HAVE GOING ON THERE, AND YOU KNOW, HAVE TO GIVE YOU SOME COMPLIMENTS AS WELL, AND I SPOKE ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU MOVED THE MARKET SQUARE IN TO THE AGRICULTURAL FAIRGROUNDS AND IT´S BEEN A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.

>> AND IT WAS A SILVER LINING.

IT WAS NOT EASY TO GET THE FARMERS TO MOVE.

OF COURSE, IT´S A LOT MORE ACCOMMODATING THERE.

>> DEFINITELY.

>> YOU KNOW, IT´S THE SPACING FOR COVID TIME AND FOR PARKING.

AND THE, IT´S A LOT MORE DIVERSE PATRONS COMING IN THROUGH THERE.

AND I KNOW WE EXPANDED A BIT BEYOND JUST FARMERS AND I THINK PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD TO IT, IT´S ONE OF THE BIGGER ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE NOW DURING THE TIMES AND ST. THOMAS AND MARKET SQUARE WAS CLOSED FOR A WHILE AND THAT THAT HAS REOPENED AND SHIFTED.

AND NOW, SOME OF THE FARMERS ARE DOING ROADSIDE, THEY HAVE GONE TO THE FARM AT THE ROADSIDE STAND.

SO, AND THEY HAVE DONE ONLINE.

THERE´S AN ONLINE FARMER´S MARKET.

>> ONLINE FARMER´S MARKET.

HE WILL LOCALLY GROWN.

>> SO, THE BORDER MARKET TOO AS WELL.

SO, THAT IS LIKE THE AGRICULTURAL MARKET IN ST. CROIX, NOW?

>> WE HAVE MULTIPLE MARKETS ON ST. THOMAS THAT OPERATE.

>> OKAY.

>> SO THAT OPERATES ON THE SECOND AND LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH.

AND MARKET SQUARE OPERATES EVERY SATURDAY.

FOR BORDEAUX WE PARTNER WE GROW FOOD INC. AND WE CLOSELY MONDAY TAR WHAT IS GOING ON AT MARKET SQUARE.

>> WE HAVE A MAN ON THE ON STREET THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET IN.

WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING.

>> WELL, IN COMPARISON TO WHAT IT WAS, IT IS AN IMPROVEMENT.

THERE´S A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.

IF HE COULD GET IT DONE A LITTLE QUICKER IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR US.

WE WOULD LIKE TO ENJOY THE FAIR NEXT YEAR IF POSSIBLE.

>> EVERY DAY LOCAL MARKETS SATURDAY, AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE FAVOR OF EVERYTHING, BUT NO, IT´S JUST THE FARMERS, RIGHT, SO YOU DON´T HAVE THE AMOUNT OF THINGS LIKE IN A FAIR.

>> WHOA!

WE HEARD IT RIGHT THERE.

YOU KNOW, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

>> WELL, SEE, SO PEOPLE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO THAT LOCATION AND YOU KNOW, IT´S COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE FAIRGROUNDS.

>> HM-MM .

>> IT´S THE AGRICULTURAL COMPLEX, IT´S THE HE WANT DID OF AGRICULTURAL, THE FAIR IS HELD THERE AND THE FAIR IS ACTUALLY OPERATED BAY NONPROFIT THAT IS CREATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL, TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUT ON A SHOW TO SHOW WHAT THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ARE.

YOU SEE PEOPLE COMING AND HANGING OUT.

GO UNDER THE MANGO TREE, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT IT´S DRIPPING WITH MANGOS.

IT´S AN ENJOYABLE SPACE.

IT´S A MARKET, IT´S A FARMER´S MARKET.

WE HAVE WEDNESDAYS WHERE WEDNESDAY IN THE AREA, IT´S OPEN ON WEDNESDAY AND FARMERS GO THERE.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO CITY THE DAY WHEN THERE´S ENOUGH PRODUCTION GOING ON, CAPACITY UP, WHERE A MARKET IS OPEN EVERY DAY.

WHERE THERE´S A FRESH MARKET EVERY DAY, A FRESH FARMER´S MARKET.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE ARE WORKING TOWARD AS WE MOVE TOWARD FOOD SECURITY.

>> DEFINITELY YOU CANNOT HAVE A MARKET WITHOUT FARMERS.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT MAKE THE PLACE GO.

TALK TO US ABOUT THE FARMER´S PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS THE LOCAL FARMERS ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

HERE´S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> SO, WE IS SENT OUT A PRESS RELEASE, SEEKING FOR FARMS AND WE SELECTED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE REVIEW PROCESS 40 INDIVIDUALS ON ST. CROIX DISTRICT AND 20-23 INDIVIDUALS ON THE ST. THOMAS, DISTRICT.

SO, WE SELECTED TEN INDIVIDUALS.

OUT OF THE GROUP TO GROW A PARTICULAR CROP.

WHICH WOULD BE FEATURED AS THE HARVEST OF THE MONTH.

THAT IS, EACH MONTH OF THE CALENDAR YEAR WE WILL BE FEATURING A CROP GROWN BY OUR BACKYARD FARMERS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL, PROVIDING THAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UTILIZES THE FUNDS FROM THE SPECIALTY RUN.

>> THIS IS, THAT IS JUST PHENOMENAL.

>> HM-MM.

>> SEE, AND THE IDEA, AGAIN, WHEN YOU BUILD CAPACITY, YOU HAVE A SMALLER FARMER STARTING TO GRAB WHAT THE NEIGHBORS HAVE.

OH, I´M GOING TO THE MARKET.

I WILL GET THIS, I WILL GET THAT.

AND WE ARE TRYING TO SUPPORT THE LARGER FARMERS SO THEY CAN CONTINUE AND TOGETHER, THAT MAKES UP THE FOOD SUPPLY AND AS WE CONTINUE TO TRAIN, AND WHAT IT´S DOING IS BUILDING CAPACITY BY OFFERING TRAINING.

WE ARE GOOD AT GETTING TWO GRANTS SO FAR.

THAT IS REALLY FOCUSED ON TRAINING AND PROVIDING EVEN A SMALL EQUIPMENT LIKE GRANTS TO GIVE THEM SMALL SUPPLIES, $5,000 WORTH OF SUPPLIES, $10,000 OF SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT.

WE EXPECT TO SEE CAPACITY INCREASE AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> SURE.

>> SOMETHING ELSE, WE ALSO HEARD -- OH, GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS GOING SAY SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT THE HARVEST OF THE MONTH PROGRAM.

ADAPTING TO THE SEASONALITY AS IT EXISTS IN CROP PRODUCTION AND ALLOWING RETAILERS AND OTHER MARKET SOURCES TO KNOW WHEN CERTAIN CROPS ARE COMING AND BE PREPARED TO THEY CAN ADJUST SALES AND PROVIDE BETTER RESOURCES LOCALLY FOR PEOPLE TO GET LOCALLY GROWN FOOD.

>> AWESOME.

>> WE HEARD FROM THE MONITOR OF THE BACKYARD FARMING PROGRAM AND HIS EXPERIENCE AS A FARMER.

LET´S HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> MY NAME IS ANTOIO SEELY, I´M THE CONSULTANT/MONITOR FOR THE BACKYARD GARDENING PROGRAM.

I COME FROM A LONG LINE OF FARMERS AND THOSE THAT HAD TO GROW TO SURVIVE.

I HAVE INHERITED DIFFERENT PLANTING TECHNIQUES FROM MY AN ANCESTORS, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY MY GRANDMOTHER, AND HER FATHER, FRITS MORRIS, BACK IN 1848, HIS PARENTS WERE SLAVES AND HE WAS A FARMER.

I GO BACK MANY GENERATIONS AND I HAVE TRIED TO CAPTURE A LOT OF THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM MY ANCESTORS, TRADITIONAL PLANTING.

USING A VERY LITTLE PESTICIDE, TRYING TO WORK WITH NATURE, WITH THE TIMING OF THE SEASONS FOR -- >> THAT´S JUST AMAZING THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE THAT UNDERSTAND FARMING AND TRACE IT BACK ALL THE WAY BACK IN THEIR ROOTS LIKE WE SAY, IT´S IN YOUR BLOOD.

>> WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT, AND PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT FARMING AGAIN.

YOU KNOW, AND THEY HAVE BEEN, THE SILVER LINING WITH COVID, PEOPLE BEING AT HOME, THEY STARTED TO TEND TO THEIR YARD MORE.

SO WE EXPECT TO SEE THAT AND HOPE TO GET IT IN THE CLASSROOMS WHERE THE CHILDREN ARE DOING IT.

THAT´S WHERE IT´S NEEDED MOST.

>> A MAJOR COMPONENT OF FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IS BEING ABLE TO GROW FOOD.

IT´S ABOUT PROVIDING LOCAL, CULTURALLY RELEVANT FOOD FOR PEOPLE AND PROVIDERS.

IT´S ALL ABOUT ENSURING THE FOOD THAT IS CREATED HERE IS FOR THE PEOPLE HERE.

>> A LOT OF THE FOODS THAT WE LOVE, WE CAN´T FIND IN THE GROCERY STORE.

SO YOU GUYS ARE BRINGING IT TO THE MARKETPLACE THAT EVERYONE CAN SHARE IN TO, IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO, THANK YOU.

>> YES.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A LOT, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE RECOVERY PROJECT, PEOPLE SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, IT´S NOT ABOUT JUST THE BUILDING.

IT´S ACTUALLY ABOUT BEING ABLE TO REINSTALL THE SERVICES AT THE LEVEL THAT WE DID, PRIOR TO THE STORMS.

AND YOU HAVE SEEN THAT YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF THAT ON ST. CROIX AND HOW ARE YOUR PROJECTS PROGRESSING ON ST. THOMAS?

>> WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PROJECTS.

SPEAKING OF RESTORATION SERVICES WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF FEED AND AVAILABILITY OF FEED.

WE HAVE HAD A CONSISTENT STORE OF FEED FOR ALL ANIMALS.

HAY, WE ALSO HAVE SOIL SEEDS, WE HAVE BEGUN OUR GREENHOUSE.

WE HAVE A BRAND NEW GREENHOUSE THAT WAS PROVIDED BY THE USDA FORESTRY SERVICE.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO FINISH BUILDING OUT, OR PUTTING IN BRAND NEW TABLES.

WE HAVE MODERATELY REPAIRED IN THE INTERIM UNTIL THE DISASTER PROJECT CAN BEGIN FOR OUR ORIGINAL GREENHOUSE ON THE GROUNDS.

SEEDLINGS ARE AVAILABLE.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN STARTING TO GARDEN, FARM, WHATEVER YOUR INTEREST IS.

AND WE ALSO WERE ABLE TO GET OUR OFFICE PAINTED, AND DONATED BY FIRST RESORT PAINTING.

AND THEY TOTALLY REDID THE EXTERIOR OF OUR OFFICE FOR US.

IF ANYBODY HAS SEEN IT BEFORE, YOU WOULD DEFINITELY NOTICE A DIFFERENCE NOW.

AND I CAN GUARANTEE YOU.

AND WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT, AND THEIR ABILITY TO DO THAT FOR US.

AND WE ALWAYS HAD MOLD REMEDIATION COMPLETED IN OUR FACILITY, AND MANY OTHER RAILROAD REPAIR -- MANY OTHER REPAIRS ARE ON THE WAY.

>> HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

THEY REACHED OUT AND WANTED TO ASSIST?

>> WE WERE SOURCING QUOTES TO BEGIN DOING SOME PAINTING WORK AFTER THE MOLD REMEDIATION.

ABLE TO SEAL THE INTERIOR AND WE ASKED THEM TO PROVIDE A QUOTE AND THROUGH SOME ASSISTANCE FROM COVID FUNDS, I BELIEVE THEY USE THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM, THEY WERE ABLE TO DONATE THAT SERVICE TO US AND JUST DO THE EXTERIOR SINCE THEY WERE ALREADY COMPLETING THE INDOOR AREA FOR US AFTER THE BID PROCESS.

>> THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU.

AND HATS OFF FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED AND YOU ARE MOVING ALONG WITH YOUR PROJECTS ON ST. THOMAS AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ON ST. JOHN?

YOU KNOW YOU CANNOT LEAVE OUT ST. JOHN.

>> WE NEVER DO, WE NEVER DO.

SO WE ACTUALLY JUST FINISHED INSTALLING THE TRAILER.

TEMPERATURE TRAILER FOR AN OFFICE SPACE AND AS I MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, WE ARE SEEKING CONTRACTORS TO DO THE BUILD OUT OF THE INTERIOR OF THAT.

WE ALSO HAVE PROJECTS FOR THE 19, 20 AND 1945 MAIN OFFICE BUILDING.

THAT MEANS IT´S A HISTORIC BUILDING AND NEEDS MORE DETAILED WORK AS PART OF THE DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECT.

IT´S REQUIRING A LOT OF ARCHITECTURAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPERTISE THAT GOES IN TO IT BEFORE WE CAN GET IN TO REPAIRING THAT BUILDING.

WE ALSO HAVE INCREASED OUR SERVICES THERE.

EVEN WITH THE CAPACITY THAT WE HAVE.

WE ARE EXPANDING OUR CAPABILITY AND PRODUCTION EVERY DAY.

>> I LIKE TO THANK THE RED CROSS FOR THAT.

>> TWO GREENHOUSES YOU SAY?

>> YES.

>> THAT IS FANTASTIC.

>> HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?

>> THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY AND THEY REACHED OUT AND SAID, THIS IS WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO, HELP US REPLACE THE GREENHOUSE.

WE HAVE EXTRA GREENHOUSES AND IT WILL HELP TO BUILD UP THE PLANS AND THE CEILINGS.

>> I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CURIOUS ABOUT GETTING SEEDLINGS.

CAN YOU JUST WALK -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

ANYBODY CAN JUST WALK UP.

OUR SEEDLINGS ARE $.20, OR.25 DEPENDING WHAT YOU ARE GETTING.

EXPECT THEY ARE SMALL AND NEED EXTRA LOVING AND YOU CAN GROW THEM IN TO WHATEVER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO ADJUST THE COSTS.

DON´T HOLD US TO THOSE PRICES.

>> WE ALWAYS HAVE LARGER TREES AS WELL, FRUIT TREES AND ORNAMENTAL PLANS.

ANYTHING YOU ARE LOOKING TO GO, START AT AGRICULTURAL.

>> THAT´S GOOD TO KNOW.

>> PEOPLE DON´T KNOW WE HAVE A FOREST PROGRAM, WHERE WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PLANT TREES AND THERE´S GRANTS GIVEN FOR THAT.

>> THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THE STORM COMES.

WHEN A STORM COMES, THERE´S A BIG CHANCE THAT IT´S NOT GOING TO BE THERE AT THE END OF THE STORM.

>> I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY COCONUT.

BEFORE THIS IS DONE FOR ME, I WOULD LIKE TO CLEAR A COUPLE OF ACRES AND PLANT HUNDREDS OF COCONUT TREES, BECAUSE WE HAVE LOST MANY IN THE STORMS AND WE HAVE LOST MANY , IT´S A BIG THING AGAIN.

COCONUT OIL, YOU KNOW, THE NUTRITION IN COULD HE -- IN COCONUT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS COMING UP, WAS HOW DO WE MITIGATE, THE OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS AND IN AGRICULTURAL, YOU KNOW, A DROUGHT IS A THREAT.

>> YES, SO THE BIG CONVERSATION IS REALLY CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND CLIMB CHANGE, WE HAVE INTENSIFIED HURRICANES, WE HAVE DROUGHTS.

AND TO MITIGATE AGAINST DROUGHT, ALL YOU CAN DO IS TRY TO STORE WATER AND USE WATER CONSERVATION.

USE GROUND COVER, AS FAR AS THE DIFFERENT PLANTS THAT GO TO COVER THE GROUND.

MULCHING, ALL OF THAT HELPS TO MAINTAIN THE MOISTURE IN THE SOIL.

SO SOME OF THAT IS TRAINING.

SOME OF THAT IS MAKING CERTAIN SUPPLIES AVAILABLE.

BUT A LOT OF IT IS ACTUALLY TRAINING AND EXPOSING THE INFORMATION TO THE FARMERS.

AND THEM BEING OPEN AND WILLING TO PUT IT IN PRACTICE.

>> AND ALSO, UTILIZING A LOT OF THE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM TO BE ABLE TO PRACTICE WATER CONSERVATION WHEN WE ARE IN GOOD TIMES THAT WAY YOU HAVE FOR WHEN WE ARE IN BAD TIMES.

BECAUSE AS CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRESSES, WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE DANGEROUS STORMS, MORE AND LONGER DROUGHTS.

MORE HARSH CONDITIONS AND WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THEM.

A MAJOR PROGRAM FOR THAT WOULD THE USDA.

>> WE HAVE NOW BEEN ON THE DROUGHT MONITORING PROGRAM.

SO, WHENEVER THERE´S A DROUGHT DECLARED HERE BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THERE ARE BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS THAT WERE NOT ONCE BEFORE.

>> NOW, HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO FIND WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, USING THE TEAMS MEETINGS OR ZOOMS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR FARMERS MORE EFFECTIVELY OR HAS IT NOT HELPED AT ALL?

>> IT´S CHALLENGING, LIKE WAS MENTIONED THE AVERAGE AGE OF FARMERS AND THE GENTLEMAN WAS BEING POLITE, IT´S ACTUALLY ABOUT 67.

THAT MEANS MANY FARMERS ARE NOT TECH SAVVY.

MANY STILL WANT TO COME OUT TO A MEETING AND IN COVID TIMES IT´S HARD.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING BETTER GETTING, AND MANDATING THEY GET SOME KIND OF E-MAIL SO WE CAN COMMUNICATE AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING BETTER IN OUR MEETINGS.

>> AND WE ALSO HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS THAT PEOPLE CAN CONNECT WITH US.

WE DO ON HAVE AN E-MAIL DISTRIBUTION LIST AND EVEN IF THE FARMER THEMSELVES DOESN´T HAVE AN E-MAIL, EVEN IF IT´S THEIR DAUGHTER WHO CHECKS THEIR E-MAILS OR SON, OR COUSIN, WHOMEVER.

THAT CAN JUST SHARE THE INFORMATION.

EVEN HAVING A PERSON TO PERSON CONVERSATION HELPS.

>> GREAT.

>> GOOD DEAL, YOU KNOW, THE LAST WOULD BE TODAY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

WHERE DO YOU SEE IT?

WHEN IS IT COMING ONLINE?

>> I WILL PAINT YOU A QUICK VISION.

AGRICULTURAL HAS BEEN MASSIVE FOR MOST AND WE DIDN´T DO IT FOR OURSELVES THEN.

AND WE ARE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ADMIN BUILDING, WE WANT TO BUILD A BUILDING THAT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE ONE OF THOSE GREENHOUSES.

BUT THIS TIME IT´S OURS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL.

IT´S NOT JUST -- IT´S A TWO STORY BUILDING AND IT WILL LOOK LIKE A GREENHOUSE AND IT´S INTENDED TO DO ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND WE ARE GOING TO TEAR DOWN THE, WHAT IS NOW THE FORESTRY BUILDING, THE BUILDING THAT WE CURRENTLY USE, AND YOU WILL SEE A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING TO THE FRONT THERE, THAT REPRESENTS THE, WHAT AGRICULTURAL IS.

YOU KNOW, AGRICULTURE IS NOT A POOR MAN´S BUSINESS.

IT´S KING.

FOOD IS AN INFLEXIBLE COMMODITY.

AS LONG AS FOOD IS BEING SOLD, PEOPLE WILL BUY IT.

WE WANT A BUILDING THAT REPRESENTS IT.

>> WALK AWAY WITH THAT.

FOOD IS KING.

WELL, WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO THE END OF THE PROGRAM.

BUT BEFORE WE WRAP UP, I WANT TO THANK THOSE VIEWERS WHO CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE ACTUALLY HAD A QUESTION POSED SHIRLEY NAVARRO ON.

WHY ARE IS ONLY A FEW ROADS ON SAINT CROIX GETTING FIXED AND SAINT THOMAS ARE GETTING FIXED.

>>> THERE´S A FEW PROJECTS ON ST. CROIX AND WE TOOK TIME TO VISIT THE SITE RECENTLY.

JOHN THOMPSON OF 11 CONSTRUCTION AND DPW ENGINEER WERE ON SITE, AND THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE US A 4-1-1 ON THE $2.3 MILLION FEDERAL HIGHWAY RELIEF PROJECT.

AND WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING THE DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING ROAD AS WELL AS THE EXCAVATION OF THE SUB GRADE IN PREPARATION OF THE NEW RECORD.

CURRENTLY WE ARE WORKING ON THE NORTHBOUND LEAVING THE SOUTHBOUND LANE OPEN.

IT´S HOW TRAFFIC IS SLOWING THROUGH THE JOB SITE.

WE ARE ESTIMATING A COMPLETION IN EARLY DECEMBER OF THE ENTIRE PROJECT.

THAT IS THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS FROM THE RED LIGHT HERE AT THE BY PASS.

ALL THE BAY TO THE PORT HERE IN GALLOS BAY, THE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY IS NOT ONLY WILL THEY HAVE A NICE SMOOTH ROAD TO DRIVE ON.

IT´S STORM WATER.

ENGINEERING DESIGN IN TO THE PROJECT THAT WILL ALLOW THE WATER TO DRAIN PROPERLY AND NOT FLOOD OUT THE ROAD.

I AM SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED IT IN THE PAST.

>> IT´S A FEDERAL AID PROJECT, SO WE ARE GETTING THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THE COST IS $2.46,000.

IT GIVES THE COMMUNITY A BETTER RIDE TO DRIVE ON.

AND IT HELPS THE BUSINESSES, THE SURROUNDING BUSINESSES AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

EASIER ACCESSIBILITY TO GALLOS BAY.

AND FOR FUTURE REFERENCE ARE, A LOT OF IDEAS ON DESIGNS ARE BEING DONE RIGHT NOW, AND THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, WE ARE LOOKING AROUND DECEMBER.

HOPEFULLY NO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES OCCUR.

>> WELL THAT IS GOOD THIS NEWS FOR THE PEOPLE OF GALLOS BAY, AND KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS COMING.

WELL, I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

I WILL WRAP US UP WITH THE LAST WORDS.

>> WELL, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY, THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

IT IS A CHALLENGE EVERY DAY TO PROGRESS AND TO MAKE, TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE USED TO BE IN TERMS OF AGRICULTURAL, BUT IT DOES NOT EXIST IN A SILO, WE ARE ALL A PART IT AND EACH OF US HAS A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO SHOP WITH THE CHANGE.

WHETHER IT´S GROWING THINGS IN YOUR OWN HOME OR DOING WHAT YOU CAN TO BE A PART OF IT AND BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

WHERE HE HAVE THE TASK FORCE THAT IS DEVELOPING A POLICY FOR AGRICULTURAL IN THE FUTURE, SO BE A PART OF THAT AS WELL.

>> THIS IS, THIS IS FANTASTIC.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF YOU.

ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN UP AND RUNNING AND ALL THE OTHER PROGRAMS.

THE DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS DON´T ONLY, IT´S NOT ABOUT FIXING THE BUILDING, IT´S GETTING THE WONDERFUL SERVICES THAT YOU SPOKE ABOUT BACK AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WELL WITH, FOOD IS KING, COMMISSIONER.

FOOD IS KING.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON RECOVERY IN FOCUS, TO LET THE PEOPLE KNOW OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN FARMING AND AGRICULTURAL.

AND WE ARE WORKING HARD TO GET BACK TO THE SERVICE LEVEL PROVIDE TO COVID AND BEFORE.

AND YES, I DO WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT FOOD IS KING.

AND GROWING FOOD SOURCE CLOSE TO YOU WHAT´S MORE IMPORTANT AND THAT´S WHAT IS CALLED FOOD SERENITY, WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED.

AND THE CONCEPT IS BE A PART OF THE FOOD SUPPLY.

I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WE ARE WORKING THE BEST WE CAN AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE CAN ON BEHALF OF THE FARMING COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

WHAT YOU DO ON SATURDAYS AND THE WORK I HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO MS. CARIB IN YOUR OFFICE.

SHE MAKES LIFE EASIER ON OUR SIDE WITH THE DISASTER RECOVERY, I SEE WHAT SHE HAS TAKEN IN THE OBJECTS.

I BLINK AN EYE AND THEY WERE ALL MOVING.

KUDOS TO YOU AND HER AND THE TEAM MOVING IT FORWARD AND THE WORK YOU ARE DOING OVER THERE.

>> WE ARE A SMALL TEAM, BUT A CAN DO TEAM AND PROUD OF THEM AND I WANT TO THANK THEM ALL.

I WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO MR. MUR Y WHO SUGGESTED TO MOVE THE MARKET.

AND WE CAME OVER THE ALTERNATIVE AND IT WAS MR. MURRAY THAT MADE THE SUGGESTION AND WE PUT IT IN TO PLAY AND IT´S WORKING GREAT.

>> ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A FAIR, THAT´S A QUESTION THAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING?

>> THAT´S A BIG QUESTION.

WE WILL HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MAKING AN ASSESSMENT, WE ARE PLANNING A FAIR EVEN IN COVID TIMES.

IT MAY LOOK DIFFERENT BECAUSE THERE´S CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE CANNOT HAVE.

LIKE CONEY ISLAND RIDES.

YOU KNOW, WE WILL GET BACK TO THE FARMING GAMES, WITH THE EGG, AND RUNNING OVER, JUMPING OVER BALL OF HAY AND ALL THE THINGS.

SO, WE WILL REPORT IT LATER ON.

WHEN WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS IT.

>> THAT IS GOOD, WE MUST HAVE GOALS.

AND TO MY WONDERFUL COHOST, YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SHARE ABOUT THE HOUSING ASPECT?

>> I WANT TO LET PUBLIC KNOW THAT HUD APPROVED THE TERRITORY FOR THE CDB MITIGATION GRANT.

THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL 774 MILLION DOLLARS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

IT´S NOT LIKE THE DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT.

THESE TO BE USED FOR MITIGATION ACTIVITIES.

FOR ACTIVITIES BEYOND DISASTER RECOVERY.

THAT MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CAN COME TO US WITH GREAT IDEAS AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO HELP PREVENT FOOD SHORTAGE IN THE TERRITORY.

YOU CAN USE IT FOR MANY OTHER THINGS.

ALL OF IT CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE, IT WAS A LOT OF WORK DONE BY THE EMPLOYEES, AND SO I WANT TO TIP MY HAT AND SAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND WE WILL KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

NOW THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN APPROVAL FOR OVER $1.8 BILLION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, HUD.

>> CONGRATULATIONS FOR THAT.

WELL, THIS ENDS OUR SHOW AND WE HAVE HAD GREAT UPDATES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL, YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE BY VISITING US ONLINE, AT USBIODR.COM.

AND YOU CAN KEEP THE DISCUSSION GOING ON, ON FACEBOOK.COM/WTJX, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH AND CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.

>> THAT´S RIGHT.