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 UVI The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands UVI Shines at St. Croix Agriculture Fair Perhaps having the all-time biggest turn out ever, Agrifest 2002 on St. Croix was a smashing success. Thousands attended the three-day Agriculture Fair held during President’s Day week- end on the Department of Agriculture grounds in Estate Lower Love. The University of the Virgin Islands was represented, among the hundreds of booths and displays, under the big white tent near the farmer’s market and livestock display. UVI’s Coop- erative Extension Service (CES), which organized UVI’s participation in the fair, has co-sponsored the fair from its incep- tion. “This year, especially Sunday, we had a record attendance,” said Clarice Clarke, CES public information specialist and a member of the fair board. The Agricultural Experiment Station(AES), Small Business Develop- ment Center (SBDC), the Research Pub- lication Unit and CES were among the more than 20 displays, exhibits and dem- onstrations from UVI’s Research and Pub- lic Service Component. While the community enjoyed all of the displays, the AES aquaculture exhibit and CES environmental horticulture exhibit were the specta- tors’ favorites, Clarke said. The aquaculture exhibit showed the production of tilapia from eggs to fry to fingerlings. The large, transparent 250-pound tank containing 1,000 of the colorful fish attracted children and adults. “Everybody asked, ‘how can you get so many fish in such a small area?’” said AES Director Dr. James Rakocy. “One thou- sand fish per cubic meter is the optimum stock density to get a 50 gram fingerling in 12 weeks of growth, starting with a one- gram fish,” he said. Dr. Rakocy met several people who were interested in starting fish farms of their own. “Our main goal is developing systems for the Virgin Islands but we have devel- oped systems that have gained worldwide recognition,” he said. “And it was all developed here at UVI,” he added. At the environmental horticulture exhibit people were amazed at the different types of produce, many of which they did not know, Clarke said. Mandy Williams, a UVI student attend- ing a student leaders retreat on St. Croix that weekend, enjoyed the fair’s farmer’s market and livestock display. “I loved the animals,” she said. She was surprised at the locally grown produce. “I didn’t know all those things could grow here,” Williams said. The 4-H displays also received much attention from the public. In recognition of UVI’s 40th anniver- sary, academic divisions highlighted the University’s accomplishments and dis- played and sold memorabilia. Of course UVI was only a portion of the fair, which included plenty of food, music and fun. “Our fair is the second largest event in the territory,” Clarke said. CES will begin planning for next year’s fair in September.
   February 26, 2002 vol. viii, number 2 March 15 Walk-a-thon STX March 16 Alumni Association Dinner STJ March 17 Afternoon on the Green STT (Clockwise left to right) St. Croix Campus Student Activities Supervisor Clint Ferris demonstrates the production of homemade ice cream; a portion of UVI’s ‘Marketing Strategies for Small Farmers’ display; youngsters visit a Shetland pony. Photos courtesy of CES. UVI @ 40, Celebrating Our Successes!   
 2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu   
 is a production of the UVI Public Relations Office. Contact us by telephone at (340) 693-1056 FAX: (340) 693-1055 learners and senior citizens attended. Even parents capitalized on the event. “Some parents used the opportunity to get admission information for themselves,” Blyden said. The Sports and Fitness Center was arranged college-fair style, where representatives from academic divisions and outreach components provided displays, demonstrations, literature and other information. Prospective students were able to apply on site for Fall 2002 classes. Presentations were made by administrators and past and present students. Director of Enrollment Management Carolyn Cook said having both the academic and student support services represented provided a grand display of what the University has to offer. “Collectively the campus came together and made a very good showcase,” Cook said. A recruitment, outreach and enrollment initiative, the Open House will be held each semester. Charlotte Amalie High School senior Grisdela Dangelben has a dream to become a nurse. And she knows where to make that dream come true – the University of the Virgin Islands. “I know I’m coming here for sure,” she said at the Open House held Feb. 8 in the Sports and Fitness Center. It was the second Open House on the St. Thomas campus. Dangelben said UVI was one of her first choices for colleges and universities, but the Open House solidified her decision. She chose UVI because it is fully accredited, offers an excellent nursing program and is inexpensive. “And it’s closer to home” her friend Denesha Richardson piped in. “Most people just run away from here and they end up coming right back,” Dangelben added. Richardson and Dangelben were two of the more than 200 students from schools across the island who attended the Open House – three times the number that attended in the Fall. Juniors and seniors from all high schools on the island and all other prospective students were invited. “The thing what was exceptional about this is that we did not expect so many people from the community,” said Student Recruitment Officer Karen Blyden, noting that several adult Successful Open House Recruits New Students for UVI All Saint’s Cathedral School senior Richard Vialet gets infromation from Mary Meyers, a representative from UVI’s Financial Aid Office.