Farmers and Fishers Business Conferences Scheduled on St. Croix and St. Thomas in Early March

A farmer in his fields

Farmers and fishers in the U.S. Virgin Islands will have an opportunity to receive updates on the findings from the Food Processing Plant Feasibility Study and get advice on best practices for their businesses and personal well-being as entrepreneurs at a Farmers and Fishers Business Conference in early March 2020.

St. Croix: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, at University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall, Albert A. Sheen Campus, Kingshill, St. Croix, V.I.

St. Thomas: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, March 5, at University of the Virgin Islands Sports & Fitness Center, 2nd floor, VIP Room, No. 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, V.I.

This conference, will be hosted by the Enterprise Zone Commission, which is an entity of the V.I. Economic Development Authority, in partnership with the Virgin Islands Departments of Agriculture and Planning & Natural Resources, will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on St. Croix and St. Thomas.

The conference is sponsored by a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Farmers or fishers, and individuals who are interested in the farming and fishing industries are invited to register and attend.

Industry experts and leaders from the public and private sectors will lead breakout sessions on topics that relate to a farmer and fisher’s personal well-being such as health, insurance and estate planning. Attendees will also learn how to increase their profits; ensure food safety for public consumption, maintain business records; apply for business tax incentives, funding, license renewal and much more.

For interview scheduling opportunities, contact Shanell Petersen, managing director, Marketing and Vision 2040, at 714, 1700, ext. 1511; or send an email to marketing@usvieda.org.  To learn more about this conference, contact Shaylah Anthony, programs and grants compliance officer, Enterprise Zone Commission, at 714-1700, ext. 1813.

For resources following the conference, contact one of these offices on St. Thomas: Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (714-1700); the V.I. Department of Planning & Natural Resources (774-3320); or the V.I. Department of Agriculture (774-5182).

For the respective offices on St. Croix: VIEDA (773-6499); the V.I. Department of Planning & Natural Resource (773-1082); or at the V.I. Department of Agriculture (778-0997).