Good morning:

When I first heard of this year’s theme for Farmers’ Week: ‘Youth in Agriculture a Must – Food Security and Cultural Sustainability - a Plus’,” I was quite pleased.

You see, the theme continuously reflect my Government’s position in building a sustainable agricultural sector, and the importance of our young people in doing so.

A public meeting on the proposed Protected Areas will be held in Anegada at the Agricultural grounds on Monday February 2, at 1:00 p.m.

The meeting will be held immediately after the ceremony and festivities of Farmers’ Week taking place on Anegada, that same day.

For more information persons can telephone the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour at 468-2147 or email at nrl@gov.vg.

The Department of Agriculture is asking all handicraft producers who are interested in entering the Farmers’ Week 2015 competitions to note that entries for the handicraft category, of the Tortola exhibitions can be submitted to the Department of Agriculture on Friday, January 23. The deadline for submission of entries is Wednesday, January 28 at 3:00 p.m.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting the general public to the Official Opening Ceremony for Farmers’ Week, Friday, January 30, 2015, 10:00 a.m., at the Department of Agriculture main office in Paraquita Bay, Tortola. Activities will be held from January 30 through February 6. The public is invited to attend and support all exhibitions and events for Farmers’ Week 2015.

The Department of Agriculture is reminding all farmers who are interested in attending the Farmers’ Week Ceremonies on Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda, to collect ferry tickets in person on Thursday, January 29 at the Department of Agriculture, Paraquita Bay Station, or the Virgin Gorda Sub-station.

The Department of Agriculture is inviting the public to the Official Opening Ceremony for Farmers’ Week, on Friday February 6, 2015, 10:00 a.m., at its main office in Paraquita Bay. The public is also invited to attend and support all exhibitions, special events and activities slated for Farmers’ Week 2015.

The Department of Agriculture is encouraging all parents and children of elementary schools in the Virgin Islands to participate in the Territory’s annual Farmer’s Week Poster Competition. Entries should be inspired by and reflect ideas that are derived from the theme; "Youth in Agriculture - a Must! Food Security and Cultural Sustainability – a Plus!" The deadline for submission of entries is slated for Thursday, January 29.

 Winners will be selected from three categories;

The Department of Agriculture is asking all Virgin Islands’ Crop and Livestock farmers interested in entering the Farmers’ Week 2015 contests to note the following field judging dates and locations: