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VIRGIN ISLANDS BEGINNING FARMERS TRAINING PROGRAM Targeting Beginning Farmers Procedure • Increased number of successful famers in the Virgin Islands • Virgin Islands farmers learn and adopt best management practices • Financial security for agribusiness enterprises in the Virgin Islands • Improved business and management skills utilized by farmers in the Virgin Islands • Increased quantities of high quality locally grown agricultural produce • Greater consumption of fresh local farm products The University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Experiment Station and the V.I. Department of Agriculture will provide the technical assistance and training in the various classes using the following: • One-on-one coaching sessions • Formal workshops and seminars • Field days • On-farm demonstrations • Help-a-farmer days • Agribusiness education training • Observing on-farm operations Outcomes Contact Information UVI Cooperative Extension Service (340)-692-4071/4054, (340)-693-1083 V.I. Department of Agriculture (340)-778-0997 ext. 238 This project is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA. Cooperative Extension Service & Agricultural Experiment Station Virgin Islands Be ginning Farmers Training Program OObjectives • Increase participation of new and beginning farmers in crop and livestock production and marketing in the Virgin Islands. • Develop a comprehensive agribusiness mananagement and enrepreneurship program for beginning farmers. • Develop training materials and implement workshops for beginning farmers in conservation, risk management and direct marketing. OOverview The goal of the Virgin Islands Beginning Farmers Training Program is to ensure that there will be a sustainable new generation of beginning farmers in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program will provide training that would improve beginning farmers income and enhance their potential for success. The University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station and the V.I. Department of Agriculture will provide the leadership and technical training to expand the agribusiness sector and make it one of the main drivers of the economic and social development of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The beginning farmers will be provided with information, know-how, research and techniques needed to make wise decisions for their agribusiness operations. OTargeted Audience OVision The University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Ser vice, Agricultural Experiment Station and the V.I. Department of Agriculture will work collaboratively to train beginning farmers in crop production, small livestock production and farm financial management. • Beginning Crop Farmers • Beginning Livestock Farmers OTraining • Agribusiness Planning • Whole Farm Planning • Integrated Pest Management • Financial Management • Recordkeeping • Crop Production • Small Livestock Production • Marketing • Post-harvest Handing and Processing • Available Federal Programs