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R E S E A R C H A N D R E S E A R C H A N D R E S E A R C H A N D R E S E A R C H A N D R E S E A R C H A N D P U B L I C S E R V I C E P U B L I C S E R V I C E P U B L I C S E R V I C E P U B L I C S E R V I C E P U B L I C S E R V I C E N E W S L E T T E R N E W S L E T T E R N E W S L E T T E R N E W S L E T T E R N E W S L E T T E R U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E V I R G I N I S L A N D S U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E V I R G I N I S L A N D S U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E V I R G I N I S L A N D S U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E V I R G I N I S L A N D S U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E V I R G I N I S L A N D S Volume 7, No. 1 News from the UVI Research and Public Service Component JANUARY 2004 & R PS I N S I D E I N S I D E I N S I D E I N S I D E I N S I D E 2 The Caribbean Writer Announces Vol. 17 Winners 3 Adult Learners Complete Basic CES Computer Training Course 4 CMES Monitors Coral Disease on Fragile V.I. Reefs 5 St. Croix Schools Join Fight to End Hunger at World Food Day 6 UVI-CES Promotes Pollution Prevention and Environmental Restoration 7 AES Visited by Director of Tropical/ Subtropical Aquac- ulture 8 SBDC Briefs 9 ECC Conducts 2003 V.I. Community Survey 12 AES and CES Offer Ghana Training Workshops HANDS ACROSS THE WATER HANDS ACROSS THE WATER HANDS ACROSS THE WATER HANDS ACROSS THE WATER HANDS ACROSS THE WATER LOCAL FARMERS AND UVI DONATE LOCAL FARMERS AND UVI DONATE LOCAL FARMERS AND UVI DONATE LOCAL FARMERS AND UVI DONATE LOCAL FARMERS AND UVI DONATE SHEEP AND GOATS TO HAITI SHEEP AND GOATS TO HAITI SHEEP AND GOATS TO HAITI SHEEP AND GOATS TO HAITI SHEEP AND GOATS TO HAITI A collaborative effort between Dr. Bob Godfrey, UVI-AES Animal Science Program Leader, Dr. Bethany Bradford, VI Department of Agriculture veterinarian on St. Thomas, and St. Thomas farmers Arthur Harthmann, Buddy Henneman, Eugene Peters and Sinclair Hamm resulted in local hair sheep and goats being donated to the non-govern- ment organization Heifer Project Interna- tional (HPI) in Haiti on November 10-11, 2003. Dr. Paul Rudenberg, DVM, HPI-Haiti Country Representative, coordinated the ac- tivities in Haiti with the assistance of Dr. Kevin Flannaghan, DVM, of the Christian Veteri- nary Mission. The sheep and goats will be given to farmer associations that are part of two projects in Haiti. The project participants will receive training in animal husbandry, are required to build adequate housing, plant im- proved forages and keep records on the animals. Technicians from HPI will visit the associations monthly to monitor the progress of the project. Two of the hair sheep will be given to the University in Les Cayes for their breeding program and one of the Boer goats will go to Christian Veteri- nary Mission which distributes improved livestock throughout Haiti. The farmer associations will be re- quired to donate a high quality male offspring from the animals they receive to another association. They will also be rotating some of the males between the vari- ous groups. The University in Les Cayes will be re- quired to pass on four purebred offspring to be used in other HPI projects. The animals were flown from the USVI to Haiti by Mike Foster, owner and pilot of Coastal Air on St. Croix. Dr. Bradford, Dr. Godfrey and Sylvester Prentice, of the VI Department of Agriculture, accompanied the animals on the trip. The animals were tested for a vari- ety of diseases by the VI Department of Agriculture veterinarians and the National Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Ames, Iowa and all received a clean bill of health prior to being shipped to Haiti. Upon arrival in Haiti, the animals were taken to a quarantine facility where they will remain for a period of time before being sent to the farmers. In addition to the sheep from UVI, Dr. Godfrey pro- vided copies of a hair sheep production booklet he wrote Continued on p. 2 The plane is loaded with sheep and goats and ready to fly to Haiti. Shown in the photo are Captain Mike Foster, Sinclair Hamm, Dr. Bob Godfrey, Dr. Bethany Bradford, Sylvester Prentice and Patrick Olive (photo coming) 2 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL BOARD VELMA ELMA ELMA ELMA ELMA A A A A ABRAMSEN BRAMSEN BRAMSEN BRAMSEN BRAMSEN, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT LORNA ORNA ORNA ORNA ORNA C C C C CHESTERFIELD HESTERFIELD HESTERFIELD HESTERFIELD HESTERFIELD, ASSISTANT TO THE VICE PROVOST CLARICE LARICE LARICE LARICE LARICE C. C C. C C. C C. C C. CLARKE LARKE LARKE LARKE LARKE, PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST HELEN ELEN ELEN ELEN ELEN D D D D DOOKHAN OOKHAN OOKHAN OOKHAN OOKHAN, ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST MANUEL ANUEL ANUEL ANUEL ANUEL P P P P PALADA ALADA ALADA ALADA ALADA, P , P , P , P , PH.D. .D. .D. .D. .D. AES RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR RAQUEL AQUEL AQUEL AQUEL AQUEL S S S S SANTIAGO ANTIAGO ANTIAGO ANTIAGO ANTIAGO S S S S SILVER ILVER ILVER ILVER ILVER, ADMINISTRATOR JACQUELINE ACQUELINE ACQUELINE ACQUELINE ACQUELINE S S S S SOMERSALL OMERSALL OMERSALL OMERSALL OMERSALL- BERRY ERRY ERRY ERRY ERRY, FORMER ASSISTANT TO THE ECC DIRECTOR PATRICE ATRICE ATRICE ATRICE ATRICE J J J J JOHNSON OHNSON OHNSON OHNSON OHNSON, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS MARVIN ARVIN ARVIN ARVIN ARVIN W W W W WILLIAMS ILLIAMS ILLIAMS ILLIAMS ILLIAMS, EDITOR, THE CARIBBEAN WRITER LAYOUT & DESIGN LAYOUT & DESIGN LAYOUT & DESIGN LAYOUT & DESIGN LAYOUT & DESIGN ROBIN OBIN OBIN OBIN OBIN S S S S STERNS TERNS TERNS TERNS TERNS, P , P , P , P , PH.D. .D. .D. .D. .D. DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION KIMA IMA IMA IMA IMA G G G G GATON ATON ATON ATON ATON MAIL AIL AIL AIL AIL LETTERS LETTERS LETTERS LETTERS LETTERS OR OR OR OR OR COMMENTS COMMENTS COMMENTS COMMENTS COMMENTS TO TO TO TO TO: LORNA ORNA ORNA ORNA ORNA C C C C CHESTERFIELD HESTERFIELD HESTERFIELD HESTERFIELD HESTERFIELD UVI R UVI R UVI R UVI R UVI RESEARCH ESEARCH ESEARCH ESEARCH ESEARCH & P & P & P & P & PUBLIC UBLIC UBLIC UBLIC UBLIC S S S S SERVICE ERVICE ERVICE ERVICE ERVICE #2 J #2 J #2 J #2 J #2 JOHN OHN OHN OHN OHN B B B B BREWERS REWERS REWERS REWERS REWERS B B B B BAY AY AY AY AY ST. T . T . T . T . THOMAS HOMAS HOMAS HOMAS HOMAS, VI 00802 , VI 00802 , VI 00802 , VI 00802 , VI 00802 TELEPHONE ELEPHONE ELEPHONE ELEPHONE ELEPHONE: (340) 693-1061 : (340) 693-1061 : (340) 693-1061 : (340) 693-1061 : (340) 693-1061 FAX AX AX AX AX: (340) 693-1065 : (340) 693-1065 : (340) 693-1065 : (340) 693-1065 : (340) 693-1065 LCHESTE LCHESTE LCHESTE LCHESTE LCHESTE@UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU THE HE HE HE HE U U U U UNIVERSITY NIVERSITY NIVERSITY NIVERSITY NIVERSITY OF OF OF OF OF THE THE THE THE THE V V V V VIRGIN IRGIN IRGIN IRGIN IRGIN I I I I ISLANDS SLANDS SLANDS SLANDS SLANDS ISISISISIS AN AN AN AN AN EQUAL EQUAL EQUAL EQUAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE AFFIRMATIVE AFFIRMATIVE AFFIRMATIVE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ACTION ACTION ACTION ACTION, TITLE ITLE ITLE ITLE ITLE IX, S IX, S IX, S IX, S IX, SECTION ECTION ECTION ECTION ECTION 504, 504, 504, 504, 504, PL 101-542 PL 101-542 PL 101-542 PL 101-542 PL 101-542 EDUCATOR EDUCATOR EDUCATOR EDUCATOR EDUCATOR AND AND AND AND AND EMPLOYER EMPLOYER EMPLOYER EMPLOYER EMPLOYER. VICE PROVOST VICE PROVOST VICE PROVOST VICE PROVOST VICE PROVOST HENRY ENRY ENRY ENRY ENRY H. S H. S H. S H. S H. SMITH MITH MITH MITH MITH, P , P , P , P , PH.D. .D. .D. .D. .D. THE HE HE HE HE U U U U UNIVERSITY NIVERSITY NIVERSITY NIVERSITY NIVERSITY OF OF OF OF OF THE THE THE THE THE V V V V VIRGIN IRGIN IRGIN IRGIN IRGIN I I I I ISLANDS SLANDS SLANDS SLANDS SLANDS RESEARCH ESEARCH ESEARCH ESEARCH ESEARCH & P & P & P & P & PUBLIC UBLIC UBLIC UBLIC UBLIC SERVICE ERVICE ERVICE ERVICE ERVICE (R&PS) (R&PS) (R&PS) (R&PS) (R&PS) NEWSLETTER EWSLETTER EWSLETTER EWSLETTER EWSLETTER ISISISISIS AN AN AN AN AN INFORMATIONAL INFORMATIONAL INFORMATIONAL INFORMATIONAL INFORMATIONAL NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER ON ON ON ON ON THE THE THE THE THE UNITS UNITS UNITS UNITS UNITS THAT THAT THAT THAT THAT MAKE MAKE MAKE MAKE MAKE UP UP UP UP UP THE THE THE THE THE R&PS C R&PS C R&PS C R&PS C R&PS COMPONENT OMPONENT OMPONENT OMPONENT OMPONENT. HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP:// :// :// :// ://RPS RPS RPS RPS RPS.UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU/ and copies of research symposia on hair sheep and Senepol cattle so that HPI can have more information on raising sheep under tropical conditions. They will also distribute this information to the farmers’ associa- tions in Haiti. Dr. Rudenberg took the visitors from the USVI on a tour of some of the mountainous areas of the coun- try. There were a lot of farms on the hillsides using terraced fields for crop production while the majority of the livestock production occurred in the lowlands. The climate was much cooler in the mountains compared to the hot temperatures found in the lowlands. Sheep from other locations could have been se- lected by HPI, but the proximity of the USVI and the fact that the sheep are already adapted to tropical con- ditions and the high quality of animals were all decid- ing factors in their decision to contact Dr. Bradford for assistance. The animals selected from the USVI were of very good quality and will have a positive impact on sheep production in Haiti. There was discussion of setting up another shipment of animals to Haiti again Sheep and goats were transported in trucks by Heifer Project International from the airport to the quarantine station in Haiti HAITI HAITI HAITI HAITI HAITI Continued from p. 1 (photo coming) VOLUME 17 PUBLISHED/WINNERS ANNOUNCED VOLUME 17 PUBLISHED/WINNERS ANNOUNCED VOLUME 17 PUBLISHED/WINNERS ANNOUNCED VOLUME 17 PUBLISHED/WINNERS ANNOUNCED VOLUME 17 PUBLISHED/WINNERS ANNOUNCED The Caribbean Writer, an international literary anthology published in the summer of each year by the University of the Virgin Islands, recently released Volume 17 in its series. The anthology retains a Caribbean focus, and like its predecessors, the latest volume fea- tures the work of writers in the region and abroad (including writers and artists from the Virgin Islands). In its continuing mission to encourage creative writing and criticism in the region, The Caribbean Writer publishes book reviews, drama, personal essays, poetry, short fiction, special sections that celebrate the work of acclaimed writers, and transla- tions. Among the highlights in the current volume are a special section on the marvelous writer Wilson Harris of Guyana, poetry and prose by Opal Palmer Adisa, book reviews by an international gathering of critics and intellectuals, and imaginative work of such Virgin Islanders as Brenda Y. Jackson, Winston Nugent, and Althea Romeo-Mark. As is our custom, we recognized the prize winners of the previous volume, including the Daily News Prize for poetry won by Loretta Collins, the Canute Brodhurst Prize for short fiction awarded to Joanne Hyppolite, and the Marguerite Cobb McKay Prize for a Virgin Islander earned by Deverita Carty Sturdivant. Volume 17 of The Caribbean Writer is currently available at Education Central, Memories of St. Croix, Magazines and More, Un- dercover Books and Whim Museum on St. Croix; Tropical Memories and Dockside Bookshop on St. Thomas; Heritage Books and Arts on Tortola; as well as in both UVI bookstores. Copies can also be ordered directly from The Caribbean Writer’s office by calling (340) 692-4152, e-mailing qmars@uvi.edu or orders@thecaribbeanwriter.com, or from our se- cure server website at www.TheCaribbeanWriter.com. VOLUME 18 SUBMISSIONS/SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 18 SUBMISSIONS/SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 18 SUBMISSIONS/SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 18 SUBMISSIONS/SPECIAL SECTION VOLUME 18 SUBMISSIONS/SPECIAL SECTION The Caribbean Writer closes submissions December 30, 2003, for its next volume, #18. Contributions towards a special section on Edwidge Danticat (who has authored books such as The Farming of Bones, The Butterfly’s Way and, her latest, Behind the Mountains) and Lorna Goodison (whose books include Turn Thanks, Guinea Woman: New and Se- lected Poems and Traveling Mercies) are being solicited for this particular volume. Mail submissions to The Caribbean Writer, University of the Virgin Islands, RR 02, Box 10,000, Kingshill St. Croix, USVI 00850 or submit electronically to qmars@uvi.edu or submit@thecaribbeanwriter.com. Submissions must be postmarked by December 30, 2003. For more information, visit www.TheCaribbeanWriter.com or call Quilin Mars at (340) 692-4152. THE CARIBBEAN WRITER THE CARIBBEAN WRITER THE CARIBBEAN WRITER THE CARIBBEAN WRITER THE CARIBBEAN WRITER UPDATES UPDATES UPDATES UPDATES UPDATES to provide HPI with more animals to distribute to farm- ers in the country. They were also interested in dairy cattle and the use of the Senepol cattle from St. Croix to provide tropical adaptation genetics to their animals. 3 JANUARY 2004 Six-year-old Wanda asked her grand- mother, “Why are you going to school in the evenings?” Her grandmother, Ms. Brooks, answered, “Baby - I am learning how to use a computer.” Ms. Brooks attended a Basic Com- puter Training Course designed especially for mature members of the community without prior computer experience. The course was sponsored by the UVI-Coop- erative Extension’s Children, Youth and Families-at-Risk (CYFAR) Program. In the course, adults were encouraged to learn everything they ever wanted to know about the computer; and many partici- pants in this initial training did not know how to turn the computer on and off. (They were encouraged to bring family members who could assist or make them feel more comfortable taking on the challenge for the first time). All thirteen participants who initially registered completed the six weeks of instruction and were awarded certificates of completion. On December 2, 2003, a closing pro- gram was held to celebrate the achieve- ments of the participants. Marthious Cla- vier, CES Extension Agent opened the program. Greetings and remarks were given by Kwame Garcia, CES State Di- rector, Lois Sanders, Assistant Director, 4-H/Family & Consumer Sciences Pro- gram and Jennifer Jackson, Chancellor. From October to December, classes were held two hours, twice a week for six weeks, with tutorials available for persons needing extra assistance. Topics included exposure to: parts of the computer, using a mouse, starting and closing a program, the difference in software and hardware, keyboard symbols and keys, the differ- ence in folders and drives, motherboard, modem, ram, cpu, saving documents, printing, opening files, headers and footers, error correction, i.e. cut, copy and paste, spell and grammar check, undo/ redo, margins, insertion of page numbers, e-mail and internet surfing. It is the overall goal of the CYFAR Pro- gram to bridge the digital divide in the ter- ritory and encourage residents to learn From front to back and left to right; Eloi Sylvester, Kimona Stanley, Margaret Clavier, Rachael Calixte, Donna Samuel, Christian Merchant, Victoria Sylvester, Tim Nicholas, Marion Stanley, Adina Daisley, Avelyn G. Moses, Pamela Rogers and Esther Burroughs ADULT LEARNERS COMPLETE BASIC ADULT LEARNERS COMPLETE BASIC ADULT LEARNERS COMPLETE BASIC ADULT LEARNERS COMPLETE BASIC ADULT LEARNERS COMPLETE BASIC CES COMPUTER TRAINING COURSE CES COMPUTER TRAINING COURSE CES COMPUTER TRAINING COURSE CES COMPUTER TRAINING COURSE CES COMPUTER TRAINING COURSE more about the “global community” through computers and related technol- ogy. In recent years, the CYFAR Program at CES has focused on providing com- puter training to youth in local housing communities. However, the St. Thomas program has worked with senior residents over the past year during the day. In St. Croix, requests were made to provide this course in the evenings which allows those adults with full time employment, as well as retirees, to take advantage of the course. Victoria Sylvester, one of three local teachers in attendance, stated, “The school administration said they were go- ing to put computers in the classroom and I was completely computer illiterate. Now I can use it.” Rachel Calixte exclaimed, “ I can now order things for myself on the Internet without having to call my children!” This first class exemplified the say- ing, “You are never too old to learn.” Not only did the participants complete the course, they requested advanced informa- tion and training to continue to reinforce their newly acquired skills and to learn new ones! The popular Cooperative Extension instructor was Marthious Clavier, a recent UVI graduate in computer science. If you would like to sign-up for a future class, contact him at (340) 692-4090; or contact Lois Sanders at (340) 692-4096 for other information. CES computer training course participants being introduced to computers 4 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER Coral reefs provide an essential habitat for a wide range of com- mercially important fish and invertebrate species. They also provide beauty that improves our quality of life and help to fuel the economy of the Virgin Islands. Like other living creatures, corals can be vulner- able to infection by diseases. Researchers worldwide have noted re- cent increases of coral disease. Disease can lead to dramatic de- creases in live coral cover and alter the function and productivity of coral reef ecosystems. It has been suggested that recent increases in coral disease may be associated with human-induced declines in reef environmental quality, such as the contamination of coral reefs from terrestrial pollution. As part of a comprehensive coral reef monitoring program, re- searchers from the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES) are monitoring the levels of coral disease on reefs surround- ing St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. To date, CMES has studied disease at 10 reefs in St. Croix, one reef in St. John, and 14 reefs in CMES MONITORS CORAL DISEASE ON CMES MONITORS CORAL DISEASE ON CMES MONITORS CORAL DISEASE ON CMES MONITORS CORAL DISEASE ON CMES MONITORS CORAL DISEASE ON FRAGILE VIRGIN ISLANDS REEFS FRAGILE VIRGIN ISLANDS REEFS FRAGILE VIRGIN ISLANDS REEFS FRAGILE VIRGIN ISLANDS REEFS FRAGILE VIRGIN ISLANDS REEFS Yellow Blotch Disease on mountainous star coral (Montastraea faveolata) Dark Spots Disease on massive starlet coral (Siderastrea siderea) St. Thomas. So far, the data indicated that disease levels on the reefs around St. Thomas and St. John vary seasonally and geographically, and that levels of disease are lower at protected off-shore deep reefs than reefs open to trap fishing. The two most commonly observed diseases at the St. Thomas and St. John sites were White Spots Disease and Yellow Blotch Dis- ease. Another disease, Dark Spots Disease is characterized by dark purple to gray or brown patches of discolored tissue on the coral colony. Sediment may collect in the center of the spots, sometimes causing tissue mortality. Yellow Blotch Disease is characterized by irregularly shaped blotches of yellow tissue. Tissue mortality may occur in the center of the patch, resulting in a band of yellow tissue surrounding algae or sediment. CMES found that, at shallow near-shore reefs, there were significantly more coral colonies infected with Dark Spots Disease in spring than winter, and that there tended to be more coral colonies infected with Yellow Blotch Disease in the winter than spring (2002–2003). CMES also determined that the proximity of the reef to shore may be a factor in the occurrence of coral disease. Deep reefs lo- cated several kilometers off-shore had significantly lower levels of Dark Spots Disease than the near-shore reefs of St. Thomas. This may be due to higher levels of human-induced stresses, such as non- point source pollution on the near-shore reefs, but further study is needed to clarify if this is the case. Finally, CMES found that levels of coral disease were lower at an off-shore site that is part of the Red Hind Bank Marine Conservation District (a marine protected area that is closed to fishing) and a deep reef site that is open to fishing. At the non-protected site, fish traps were observed to be resting directly on top of the coral. In addition to directly damaging and breaking the coral through contact, physical damage from fish traps (as well as boat anchors and SCUBA divers) may stress the immune systems of corals, making them more sus- ceptible to disease. Once again, further study is needed to clarify exactly what role fish traps may play in the occurrence of coral dis- ease. Given the importance of coral reef ecosystems and the potential impact of the spread of coral disease, CMES will continue to monitor our coral reefs and explore new relationships and possibilities to help ensure their health for years to come. For further information please contact Dr. Richard Nemeth, CMES Director at (340) 693-1381 or email rnemeth@uvi.edu. Dr. Bob Godfrey, Animal Science Program Leader, received $5,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Dallas, Texas, to support a project to collect data on sheep nutrition. The project is in col- laboration with the Grazing Land Animal Nutrition Lab at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Plant samples collected from the pastures and feces from the sheep at the Sheep Re- search Facility on St. Croix will be sent to the lab at Texas A&M and analyzed using near infrared spectrophotometry (NIRS) to determine the nutrient quality of the grass the sheep are con- suming. In the past, NRCS has provided support to the animal science program to collect samples to develop this information for pregnant and lactating ewes. This new project will be con- ducted using young, growing lambs. Results from both projects will be used to establish baseline data for a software program developed by the NRCS called NutBal. This program allows live- stock producers to input information regarding the level of pro- duction they want to achieve from their animals along with the current nutritional inputs. The software calculates what changes should be made to the nutritional level to support the desired level of production. ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM RECEIVES ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM RECEIVES ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM RECEIVES ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM RECEIVES ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM RECEIVES FUNDS FOR SHEEP NUTRITION RESEARCH FUNDS FOR SHEEP NUTRITION RESEARCH FUNDS FOR SHEEP NUTRITION RESEARCH FUNDS FOR SHEEP NUTRITION RESEARCH FUNDS FOR SHEEP NUTRITION RESEARCH 5 JANUARY 2004 ST. CROIX SCHOOLS JOIN FIGHT TO END ST. CROIX SCHOOLS JOIN FIGHT TO END ST. CROIX SCHOOLS JOIN FIGHT TO END ST. CROIX SCHOOLS JOIN FIGHT TO END ST. CROIX SCHOOLS JOIN FIGHT TO END HUNGER AT WORLD FOOD DAY FETE HUNGER AT WORLD FOOD DAY FETE HUNGER AT WORLD FOOD DAY FETE HUNGER AT WORLD FOOD DAY FETE HUNGER AT WORLD FOOD DAY FETE Four elementary schools and three youth groups on St. Croix donated more than 2000 pounds of nonperishable food items to various charitable organizations in the fight against hun- ger. Youth from Ricardo Richards, Alfredo Andrews, Juanita Gardine, Lew Muckle, 4-H Leatherback Clover, St. Croix Christian Acad- emy Starz 4-H Club, and the Boys and Girls Club collected and delivered the food items to the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Ex- tension Service as their contribution to the World Food Day celebration. The Virgin Islands joined over 150 nations in observing the 23rd celebration of World Food Day. The territory’s observation on October 19th included workshops on cucumber, avocado and goat production. A food court which housed 12 vendors, and a farmer’s market provided attend- ees with the opportunity to buy cooked food as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. A taste of curried goat, goat water, cucum- ber salad, and guacamole, a distribution of 5000 vegetable seedlings, field tours, and music by Glamorous Sounds attracted over 1,500 people of all ages to the St. Croix campus of the Univer- sity of the Virgin Islands. The official program began with opening remarks from the master of ceremonies, Kofi Boateng. The Keynote address was given by Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christiansen. During her presentation, she reminded attend- ees that there is no better place to celebrate World Food Day than at the university, in the center of what used to be the bread basket of the Virgin Islands. “We are joining over 150 countries in all parts of the world in all stages of development to encourage the attention of people and their governments to agricultural food production, to increase awareness of hunger in the world and to build a global alliance which will strengthen political will in the fight against hunger and pov- erty,” she said. She also said we cannot expect people to listen to health messages when they are hun- gry; however, by providing stable nutritious food we can open the door to information sharing which can lead to better health, which then sup- ports increased productivity and thus increases income for families and eventually for countries. Finally, it will begin to reduce chronic malnutri- tion and its adverse and far-reaching effects. Remarks were also given by Dr. Lawrence Lewis, Commissioner of the V.I. Department of Agriculture, Dr. James Rakocy, Research Direc- tor of UVI Agricultural Experiment Station; Kwame Garcia, State Director of UVI Coopera- tive Extension Service, Jennifer Jackson, Chan- cellor of UVI St. Croix campus and Dr. Henry Smith, Vice Provost for UVI’s Research and Public Service. For the first time a “Hunger Banquet,” was added to the list of activities for World Food Day. Ten elementary schools and youth groups were invited to send a six-member delegation, made up of five students and one adult chaperone. Each school or group represented a country and prepared an interactive display on that country. Meals were also served the delegations—some were served full meals while others were given nothing. This activity challenged the youth to think critically about our world food situation and what it feels like to go without. Other youth activities included the “House of Cans” competition where groups who partici- pated in the food drive selected a coach and formed 3-5 member teams and built aestheti- cally pleasing structures using only the food items collected. Also the “Plant A Seed For You and Me,” taught kids how to properly sow a variety of seeds. In conjunction with the Department of Human Services Bethlehem Shelter, students from the Educational Complex agreed to estab- & R PS HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP:// :// :// :// ://RPS RPS RPS RPS RPS.UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU/ Top left: Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christiansen giving the keynote address at this year’s World Food Day activities Top right: In the “House of Cans” competition groups of 3-5 member teams built aesthetically pleasing structures using only the food items collected Bottom: Mr. Kwame Garcia, Sr., CES State Director giving the welcome remarks at World Food Day lish a community garden at the shelter with veg- etable slips from the World Food Day activity. Although the day was filled with activities for everyone, the purpose of World Food Day was emphasized in all of the educational work- shops—we must be advocates against pov- erty and hunger and join with the United Na- tions Food and Agriculture Organization in their fight for international alliance against hunger. 6 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER The UVI-CES and the NPS Committee held the 8th V.I. Nonpoint Source Pollution Confer- ence on “Strengthening Community Awareness to Protect & Restore Our Environment,” Decem- ber 4-5, 2003, at the Westin St. John Resort & Villas. It featured oral and poster presentations as well as exhibits relating to nonpoint source pol- lution control in tropical climates. As a special field trip this year, conference planners organized a marine field trip along the spectacular south shore of St. John. Throughout the trip, local sci- entists and planners spoke to participants about the various research projects and protection pro- grams taking place in the area. The conference also featured a youth par- ticipation session on Day 2 that culminated with a student logo contest. One Virgin Islands’ middle school student will be awarded $100 for the best Nonpoint Source Pollution logo. The Nonpoint Source Committee will then use the winning logo as the Committee’s official logo in correspon- dence and other documents. The Nonpoint Source conference was de- signed to facilitate communication of the impacts UVI-CES PROMOTES POLLUTION PREVENTION & UVI-CES PROMOTES POLLUTION PREVENTION & UVI-CES PROMOTES POLLUTION PREVENTION & UVI-CES PROMOTES POLLUTION PREVENTION & UVI-CES PROMOTES POLLUTION PREVENTION & ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION of NPS pollution on the Virgin Island’s environ- ment and NPS pollution control practices that can be implemented to protect and preserve our ecosystems and water quality. The conference audience consisted of representatives of the construction and boating industries, as well as government officials, non-governmental organi- zations, and the general public. For information, contact Kysha Wallace, DPNR-DEP, at (340) 774-3320 or kwallacedpnr@hotmail.com or Julie Wright, UVI-CES, at (340) 693-1082 or jwright@uvi.edu. The conference is sponsored by the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Re- sources Coastal Zone Management Program, Division of Environmental Protection & Division of Fish & Wildlife; the University of the Virgin Islands: Cooperative Extension Service, Con- servation Data Center & Marine Advisory Ser- vice; the Virgin Islands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc.; the Virgin Islands Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Committee; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Re- sources Conservation Service. SOLAR CROP DRYING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SOLAR CROP DRYING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SOLAR CROP DRYING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SOLAR CROP DRYING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SOLAR CROP DRYING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS The Cooperative Extension Service, in partnership with the V.I. Institute of Agricul- ture Development, the V.I. Energy Office and the V.I. Department of Agriculture, sponsored two workshops on solar crop drying technol- ogy during the month of October. Workshops were offered on both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses of the Uni- versity by Dr. Clement Sankat, a member of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. Dr. Sankat delivered a very informative presentation to an enthusiastic audience of 37 on St. Tho- mas and 17 on St. Croix. His lecture tar- geted local farmers, herb growers, and in- dividuals with an interest in agribusiness (i.e. preserving or processing local agricul- tural commodities). Solar crop dryers are custom designed dryer units that are practical and suitable for farming operations with limited resources or that lack access to commercial electric power. On St. Thomas, the presentation con- sisted of two parts - a theoretical presenta- tion at UVI which focused on the science of crop drying technology, including the fac- tors that influence the process of drying and the quality of the final dried product. Also discussed were designs for several types of crop dryers which have potential for do- mestic and commercial application in the Virgin Islands. These various types have been used throughout the Caribbean region to dry a wide array of commodities, includ- Tons of sediment wash into Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas, after each heavy rain ing bananas, mangos, pineapples, papaya, and fish. The second day of training on St. Tho- mas was conducted at the location of a solar ‘community’ dryer that was under construc- tion. The participants benefitted from an on- site explanation and discussion of the design, construction, and operation of a walk-in, com- mercial size drying unit. Upon completion of this unit the dryer will be accessible, free of charge, to all workshop participants for the purpose of processing (drying) locally produced commodities. The participants were encouraged to take advan- tage of using the community dryer until they construct their own, and to familiarize them- selves with the drying process, and the use of the dryer. This workshop was organized in re- sponse to requests from local crop produc- ers and processors, especially those who seek to add value to their harvests of me- dicinal and culinary herbs. Some of these crops include thyme, chives, parsley, basil, mint, lemon grass, and a long list of plants which we locally categorize as ‘bush teas’. As a result of this training the partici- pants benefitted from increased knowledge about solar drying technology. Participants were issued certificates upon completion of the workshop, and copies of schematic drawings of several alternative crop dryer designs. It is the hope of the workshop or- ganizers that producers and processors will incorporate the technology of drying as a practice to enhance the sustainability of their operations. The application of crop drying technology extends the shelf life of commodi- ties, creates alternative marketing opportu- nities, and adds value to agricultural products. Therefore, dried products may demand higher prices on the market. This initiative represented another suc- cessful collaboration between the University of the Virgin Islands, local government agen- cies, and non-profit entities of our community. The Cooperative Extension Service continues to respond to the needs of our clientele to improve the quality of life for the residents of our community. Workshop participants with Dr. Sankat at construction site of a community solar crop dryer 7 JANUARY 2004 Dr. Cheng-Sheng Lee, Director of the Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture (CTSA), visited the AES Aquaculture Pro- gram on July 15-17. The purpose of his visit was to learn more about the aquaculture technologies that have been developed at UVI and to explore ways of incorporating UVI into the Center’s programs. In 1986 Congress established CTSA to support research, devel- opment, demonstration, and extension to enhance viable and profit- able U.S. aquaculture. The CTSA currently assists aquaculture de- velopment in Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands, which in- cludes American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. In its 15 years of operation, CTSA has distributed over $7 million to fund 161 projects addressing a variety of national aquaculture priorities. CTSA is jointly adminis- tered by The Oceanic Institute and the University of Hawaii and is located at The Oceanic Institute’s Makapuu Point site on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Dr. Lee viewed UVI’s aquaponic and greenwater tank culture technology and thought that these systems would be ideal for the production of tilapia and vegetables in tropical Pacific islands. He indicated that he would search for ways of incorporating UVI into his programs. UVI is a member of the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, administered by Mississippi State University, and is currently unable to access CTSA funding. Four aquaculturists from the Pacific Region [Guam, Saipan, and Hawaii (2)] have received training in UVI’s Aquaponics and Tilapia Aquaculture Short Course, and the extension agent from Saipan built a small aquaponic system based on the UVI design. Dr. Lee presented a seminar entitled “Aquaculture Research in Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands, The Oceanic Institute and The Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture.” In his semi- nar, he described projects on the culture of shrimp, marine finfish, sponges, giant clams and black peals. Dr. Lee’s visit was an excellent cross-oceanic exchange of knowl- edge and potential for future collaboration. AES VISITED BY DIRECTOR OF AES VISITED BY DIRECTOR OF AES VISITED BY DIRECTOR OF AES VISITED BY DIRECTOR OF AES VISITED BY DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR TROPICAL AND CENTER FOR TROPICAL AND CENTER FOR TROPICAL AND CENTER FOR TROPICAL AND CENTER FOR TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL AQUACULTURE SUBTROPICAL AQUACULTURE SUBTROPICAL AQUACULTURE SUBTROPICAL AQUACULTURE SUBTROPICAL AQUACULTURE Dr. Cheng-Sheng Lee delivers a seminar on aquaculture development in the Pacific Islands Dr. James Rakocy, AES Director and Research Professor of Aquaculture, received invitations to speak at two conferences - the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agriculture Science and Tech- nology and the European Aquaculture Society Conference titled Be- yond Monoculture. The invitation to speak at the Ministerial Conference, which was held in Sacramento, California on June 23-25, came directly from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Ann M. Veneman. She invited the Ministers of Agriculture from 180 countries to provide “a forum for discussing the needs of developing countries in adopting new food and agriculture technolo- gies to help increase productivity, maintain food security, conserve re- sources, protect the environment, and improve nutrition.” Dr. Rakocy was the only scientist invited who represented the U.S. aquaculture research community. The title of his presentation was “Aquaponics: Integrated Tech- nology for Fish and Vegetable Production in Recirculating Systems.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Agency for International Develop- ment, and U.S. Department of State sponsored the conference. Dr. Rakocy was invited by the European Aquaculture Society to be a keynote speaker and session co-chairman at Beyond Monoculture. The conference, which was held in Trondheim, Norway, Au- gust 8-12, examined the emerging interest and need for integrated systems that utilize extractive aquaculture (algae/aquatic plants and shellfish) to remove inor- ganic and organic wastes generated from fed aquac- ulture (fish and shrimp). Dr. Rakocy was co-chairman of the session on Economics and Legislation of Integrated Aquaculture and presented a paper titled “Initial Eco- nomic Analyses of Aquaponic Systems.” The paper was published in the proceedings and was co-authored by Mr. Donald Bailey, AES Research Specialist. Dr. Rakocy contributed a second paper (A Greenwater Tank System with Aeration, Mixing, Solids Removal, and Nitrification in the Water Column) in the session on Integrated Freshwater Systems. This paper was also published in the proceedings and was co-authored by Mr. Donald Bailey; Mr. Eric Thoman, AES Research Specialist; and Mr. Charlie Shultz, AES Research Analyst. Before returning home, Dr. Rakocy stopped in Holland to visit Wageningen University, the largest and most famous agricultural school in Europe, at the invitation of Dr. Marc Verdegem, a faculty member. There he presented a seminar on aquaponics to students and faculty, toured Wageningen’s world-class aquaculture and hydroponic research facili- ties and visited a commercial turbot farm on the southern coast of Hol- land. Turbot is a saltwater fish, which is similar to flounder. Using state-of- the-art recirculating system technology, the farm produces 200,000 lbs. of turbot annually and distributes them to restaurants in Holland, Belgium and Germany. These speaking invitations confirm UVI’s reputation as the world’s leading institution in the development of aquaponic technology and dem- onstrate that aquaponic food production is gaining international recogni- tion. At each conference, several participants who were interested in ap- plying aquaponic technology in their countries approached Dr. Rakocy for additional information. These participants represented China, Sri Lanka, Equatorial Guinea, Cayman Islands, Australia, Israel, Sweden, Wales and Holland. AES RESEARCHER HONORED AES RESEARCHER HONORED AES RESEARCHER HONORED AES RESEARCHER HONORED AES RESEARCHER HONORED BY INVITATIONS TO SPEAK BY INVITATIONS TO SPEAK BY INVITATIONS TO SPEAK BY INVITATIONS TO SPEAK BY INVITATIONS TO SPEAK Turbot cultured in recirculating saltwater systems at a fish farm on the southern coast of Holland 8 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER SBDC BRIEFS SBDC BRIEFS SBDC BRIEFS SBDC BRIEFS SBDC BRIEFS WILLIAMS RECEIVES 2003 WILLIAMS RECEIVES 2003 WILLIAMS RECEIVES 2003 WILLIAMS RECEIVES 2003 WILLIAMS RECEIVES 2003 STATE STAR STATE STAR STATE STAR STATE STAR STATE STAR Association of Small Business Develop- ment Centers (ASBDC) President Donald Wilson announced that Mary Joe Williams has been selected as the 2003 State Star of the University of the Virgin Islands Small Busi- ness Development Center (SBDC) network. The recognition ceremony occurred at the ASBDC Fall Conference held at the Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, California. “I am pleased to make this announce- ment, and to recognize Mary Joe Williams for extraordinary contributions to the work of the SBDC network and small business in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Wilson. Ms. Williams is a Business Counselor I/ Training Coordinator at the UVI-SBDC. She was chosen by the SBDC network for being an exemplary performer, making a significant contribution to the UVI-SBDC program, and showing a strong commitment to small busi- nesses in the V.I. State Director Warren T. Bush, and Lead Center Supervisor and 2002 recipient Linroy E. Freeman led the staff in offering congratulations to Ms. Williams. ASBDC is a partnership uniting private enterprise, government, higher education and local nonprofit economic development orga- nizations. It is the Small Business Administration’s largest partnership program, providing management and technical assis- tance to help Americans start, run and grow their own businesses. With more than 1,000 centers across the nation, the SBDC network assists about 600,000 small businesses ev- ery year in face-to-face counseling and train- ing, in addition to assisting hundreds of thou- sands more through fax and e-mail. WHEELER RECEIVES 2003 RPS WHEELER RECEIVES 2003 RPS WHEELER RECEIVES 2003 RPS WHEELER RECEIVES 2003 RPS WHEELER RECEIVES 2003 RPS EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION SBDC’s Wendy Wheeler was one of three recipients of the University’s 2003 RPS Employee Recognition Awards in a presen- tation made at the RPS Annual Fall Retreat. Ms. Wheeler serves as a Business Analyst/ Training Coordinator in the SBDC’s St. Croix office. Ms. Wheeler has made invaluable con- tributions to the SBDC and is to be com- mended for successfully taking the lead in the various training initiatives that have originated out of the St. Croix office. SBDC’s State Di- rector and Lead Center and Service Center Supervisors joined SBDC staff in congratu- lating Ms. Wheeler on her recognition. The SBDC is particularly pleased to have had its staffers recognized for a fourth consecutive year as Ms. Wheeler joins previous SBDC re- cipients Karen Jones, Phyllis Bryan and Mary Joe Williams. UVI-SBDC HELPS U.S. SMALL UVI-SBDC HELPS U.S. SMALL UVI-SBDC HELPS U.S. SMALL UVI-SBDC HELPS U.S. SMALL UVI-SBDC HELPS U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION CELEBRATE NATIONAL CELEBRATE NATIONAL CELEBRATE NATIONAL CELEBRATE NATIONAL CELEBRATE NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2003 SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2003 SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2003 SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2003 SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2003 In recognition of the small business community’s contributions to the American economy and society, the President of the United States designates one week each year as National Small Business Week. The United States Small Business Administra- tion (SBA) celebrated Small Business Week 2003, SBA: 50 Years Empowering America’s Entrepreneurs in July 2003. The highlight was the presentation of awards for outstanding contributions of small business persons and advocates at the territorial and national levels. SBDC recognized the following honorees at ceremonies on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The ceremonies also included award distinc- tions made by the SBA and the V.I. Economic Development Authority (EDA). The 2003 UVI-SBDC’s Small Business Person of the Year Award recipients were Emric Leonard, TEPS Enterprises, Inc., St. Thomas; Bill Murphy, Murphy’s Automotive, St. Thomas; Leayle Benjamin, Graphic Solu- tions, St. Thomas; Allie and Beverly Petrus, Subway Restaurant, St. Thomas; Lenny Richardson, Luncheria, St. Croix; and Cedric Armstrong, Armstrong’s Homemade Ice Cream, St. Croix. The 2003 UVI-SBDC Financial Services Advocates of the Year recipients were First Bank U.S. Virgin Islands, award accepted by Cassan Pancham, First Bank’s First Vice President, and Economic Development Authority’s Small Business Development Agency, award accepted by Frank Schulterbrandt, EDA’s Chief Executive Officer. The 2003 U.S. Small Business Adminis- tration (SBA) Bank of the Year was First Bank U.S. Virgin Islands, award accepted by Cassan Pancham. The 2003 U.S. Small Business Adminis- tration (SBA) Small Business Persons of the Year were Dynel Soto and Steve Wilson, Quality Medical Equipment and Supply, Inc., St. Croix. EDA’s 2003 Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Alberta Benjamin, Chickie’s Shoe Store, St. Croix. EDA’s 2003 Fisherman of the Year Award was awarded to Albert Joachim, St. Croix. Several acknowledgements and certifi- cates of appreciation were also given to the numerous external stakeholders of the UVI- SBDC for their invaluable contributions to the Center’s many recent successes. The SBDC conducted a number of out- reach seminars, open houses, workshops, and media appearances to further augment the festive activities in celebration of the SBA’s 50th (Golden) Anniversary. SBDC’S FY 2003 BUSINESS SBDC’S FY 2003 BUSINESS SBDC’S FY 2003 BUSINESS SBDC’S FY 2003 BUSINESS SBDC’S FY 2003 BUSINESS COUNSELING & TRAINING COUNSELING & TRAINING COUNSELING & TRAINING COUNSELING & TRAINING COUNSELING & TRAINING DIVISIONS EXPERIENCE DIVISIONS EXPERIENCE DIVISIONS EXPERIENCE DIVISIONS EXPERIENCE DIVISIONS EXPERIENCE MAJOR SUCCESS MAJOR SUCCESS MAJOR SUCCESS MAJOR SUCCESS MAJOR SUCCESS The SBDC continues to enjoy suc- cesses with its counseling and training ini- tiatives. In addition to the technical assis- tance received by potential and existing business owners primarily in the area of identification and approval of loan fund- ing, many of these individuals gained broad-based training in a myriad of small business areas. The SBDC had major successes in its STT- and STX-based counseling and pro- gramming over the fourth quarter (Jul 1- Sep. 30). Among the training topics covered in both districts were: Introduction to Microsoft Access, Individual Estate Plan- ning, How Wills and Trusts Can Help Your Business, EDC Benefits for Small Busi- nesses, The ABCs of Small Business Loans, Personnel Handbook for Small Busi- nesses, World Class Customer Service, and Getting the Leadership Edge. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003, the Center conducted 63 training programs territory-wide, serving approxi- mately 1,400 resident attendees. The Center also received a highly fa- vorable approval rating on these programs in stakeholder evaluations. Approximately 800 client cases were handled territory-wide via the Center’s free business counseling services, and more than 30 loans in excess of $1 million in secured loan funding were extended to small business persons, with added technical assistance provided by SBDC. Most of the Center’s major fiscal year milestones were exceeded, helping to make a positive economic impact on the number of jobs created and retained in the territory. “FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, THE CENTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, THE CENTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, THE CENTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, THE CENTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, THE CENTER CONDUCTED 63 TRAINING PROGRAMS CONDUCTED 63 TRAINING PROGRAMS CONDUCTED 63 TRAINING PROGRAMS CONDUCTED 63 TRAINING PROGRAMS CONDUCTED 63 TRAINING PROGRAMS TERRITORY-WIDE, SERVING TERRITORY-WIDE, SERVING TERRITORY-WIDE, SERVING TERRITORY-WIDE, SERVING TERRITORY-WIDE, SERVING APPROXIMATELY 1,400 RESIDENT APPROXIMATELY 1,400 RESIDENT APPROXIMATELY 1,400 RESIDENT APPROXIMATELY 1,400 RESIDENT APPROXIMATELY 1,400 RESIDENT ATTENDEES. THE CENTER ALSO ATTENDEES. THE CENTER ALSO ATTENDEES. THE CENTER ALSO ATTENDEES. THE CENTER ALSO ATTENDEES. THE CENTER ALSO RECEIVED A HIGHLY FAVORABLE RECEIVED A HIGHLY FAVORABLE RECEIVED A HIGHLY FAVORABLE RECEIVED A HIGHLY FAVORABLE RECEIVED A HIGHLY FAVORABLE APPROVAL RATING ON THESE APPROVAL RATING ON THESE APPROVAL RATING ON THESE APPROVAL RATING ON THESE APPROVAL RATING ON THESE PROGRAMS IN STAKEHOLDER PROGRAMS IN STAKEHOLDER PROGRAMS IN STAKEHOLDER PROGRAMS IN STAKEHOLDER PROGRAMS IN STAKEHOLDER EVALUATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 800 EVALUATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 800 EVALUATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 800 EVALUATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 800 EVALUATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 800 CLIENT CASES WERE HANDLED CLIENT CASES WERE HANDLED CLIENT CASES WERE HANDLED CLIENT CASES WERE HANDLED CLIENT CASES WERE HANDLED TERRITORY-WIDE VIA THE CENTER’S TERRITORY-WIDE VIA THE CENTER’S TERRITORY-WIDE VIA THE CENTER’S TERRITORY-WIDE VIA THE CENTER’S TERRITORY-WIDE VIA THE CENTER’S FREE BUSINESS COUNSELING SERVICES, FREE BUSINESS COUNSELING SERVICES, FREE BUSINESS COUNSELING SERVICES, FREE BUSINESS COUNSELING SERVICES, FREE BUSINESS COUNSELING SERVICES, AND MORE THAN 30 LOANS IN AND MORE THAN 30 LOANS IN AND MORE THAN 30 LOANS IN AND MORE THAN 30 LOANS IN AND MORE THAN 30 LOANS IN EXCESS OF $1 MILLION IN SECURED EXCESS OF $1 MILLION IN SECURED EXCESS OF $1 MILLION IN SECURED EXCESS OF $1 MILLION IN SECURED EXCESS OF $1 MILLION IN SECURED LOAN FUNDING WERE EXTENDED TO LOAN FUNDING WERE EXTENDED TO LOAN FUNDING WERE EXTENDED TO LOAN FUNDING WERE EXTENDED TO LOAN FUNDING WERE EXTENDED TO SMALL BUSINESS PERSONS, WITH SMALL BUSINESS PERSONS, WITH SMALL BUSINESS PERSONS, WITH SMALL BUSINESS PERSONS, WITH SMALL BUSINESS PERSONS, WITH ADDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ADDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ADDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ADDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ADDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY SBDC. PROVIDED BY SBDC. PROVIDED BY SBDC. PROVIDED BY SBDC. PROVIDED BY SBDC. ” 9 JANUARY 2004 & R PS HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP:// :// :// :// ://RPS RPS RPS RPS RPS.UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU/ SBDC CONDUCTS FOUR-PART SBDC CONDUCTS FOUR-PART SBDC CONDUCTS FOUR-PART SBDC CONDUCTS FOUR-PART SBDC CONDUCTS FOUR-PART SERIES WITH VIRGIN ISLANDS SERIES WITH VIRGIN ISLANDS SERIES WITH VIRGIN ISLANDS SERIES WITH VIRGIN ISLANDS SERIES WITH VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR In an effort to provide existing and pro- spective entrepreneurs with a comprehensive understanding of the various Virgin Islands labor laws, regulations, and procedures, SBDC conducted a four-part training series on handling labor relations in collaboration with the V.I. Department of Labor. The series, held at the STX SBDC, covered the following topics: Wage and Hourly Disputes and Dis- crimination; Workers Compensation and OSHA Requirements; Wrongful Discharge Act; Due Process and A Fair Hearing. The series was a tremendous success and the SBDC will continue to launch such program- ming to help better acquaint the VI small busi- ness community with the key information needed to effectively manage one’s small business and employees. SBDC thanks the various external participants and presenters who helped to successfully deliver this series. They include the V.I. Department of Labor’s Commissioner, Cecil Benjamin, Glen J. Smith, Wanda Morris and June Austin. Thanks are also extended to Angela Weber, Melvin George, and Natalie Nelson Tang How, Esq. SBDC MAKES FAST START TO SBDC MAKES FAST START TO SBDC MAKES FAST START TO SBDC MAKES FAST START TO SBDC MAKES FAST START TO FY 2004 INITIATIVES FY 2004 INITIATIVES FY 2004 INITIATIVES FY 2004 INITIATIVES FY 2004 INITIATIVES SBDC launched its FY 2004 training schedule with several successful programs in both districts. On St. Thomas, a Personal Credit Seminar was held in collaboration with First Bank Virgin Islands, a Professional De- velopment seminar was held with added pre- sentations from UVI’s Verna Rivers and Karen Blyden, and UVI alumna Lisa Wynne. A four- part series workshop on Checklist for Start- ing a Business was also widely accepted and supported by the residents of this community. SBDC also gained a successful start in St. Croix with its four-part labor series and with internal collaborations from the University’s Student Activities Office (Clint Ferris). A pre- sentation was made on the “Art of Leader- ship” by St. Croix attorney and motivational speaker, Angela Weber. For more information on past programs and upcoming events, please contact the SBDC at (340) 776-3206 (STT) or (340) 692- 5270 (STX). The continued involvement of Virgin Islands youth in delinquent activity high- lights the need for descriptive informa- tion on juvenile offenders and a statisti- cal examination of the factors that may be associated with juvenile delinquent activity. Researchers on the mainland have conducted extensive studies that point to causes and effects of stateside juvenile delinquent behavior. In the Virgin Islands, there has been an absence of such research. A Study of Juvenile Offenders in St Thomas and St Croix was the first attempt to compile data on juvenile offenders who have passed through the correctional and counseling system. It was also the first research of its kind involving an in-depth scientific approach to examining the fac- tors that contribute to the Territory’s problem of juvenile delinquency. The study examined several key fac- tors that mainland studies identify as be- ing associated with juvenile delinquency. The data items included demographic at- tributes of juveniles such as age, race, gender, education, school enrollment, place of birth, and employment. The psy- chological assessment of the juvenile, the number of children living in the household, characteristics of the parents of juveniles (age, place of birth, employ- ment, and marital status) were also con- ECC COMPLETES LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNING ECC COMPLETES LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNING ECC COMPLETES LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNING ECC COMPLETES LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNING ECC COMPLETES LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNING COMMISSION JUVENILE OFFENDER STUDY COMMISSION JUVENILE OFFENDER STUDY COMMISSION JUVENILE OFFENDER STUDY COMMISSION JUVENILE OFFENDER STUDY COMMISSION JUVENILE OFFENDER STUDY sidered. Finally, the study explored sev- eral characteristics of delinquent activi- ties such as the number of offenses com- mitted, type of offenses committed, out- come or disposition of the offense, and, when applicable, the type of weapon used and duration between first and sec- ond offense. It is expected that the findings pro- duced from this study will be used by leg- islators to identify resources to fund nec- essary preventive programs. Executive officers may also use the data to estab- lish policies geared to the reduction of juvenile offenses. The study was conducted by support of a $120,000 grant from the Law En- forcement Planning Commission (LEPC). A Power Point presentation was made on November 4, 2003, to the LEPC Board by ECC team members Dr. Frank Mills, Dr. Marcy Mason, Annette Gumbs, and James Richardson. LEPC Board mem- bers in attendance included Senator Lorraine Berry, Commissioners of Edu- cation and Human Services, the Drug Policy Advisor to the Governor, and rep- resentatives from the Department of Jus- tice and LEPC. For more information on the UVI Eastern Caribbean Center and its projects, contact Dr. Frank Mills, Direc- tor, at (340) 693-1027 or fmills@uvi.edu. EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTER CONDUCTS EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTER CONDUCTS EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTER CONDUCTS EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTER CONDUCTS EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTER CONDUCTS 2003 VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY SURVEY 2003 VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY SURVEY 2003 VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY SURVEY 2003 VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY SURVEY 2003 VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY SURVEY Approximately 5 percent of V.I. house- holds were randomly selected to be in- cluded in the Virgin Islands Community Survey (VICS) this year. Fieldwork, which began at the end of June, was completed on all three islands by August 31. More than 40 interviewers were hired on a tem- porary basis to collect housing and population information. The housing-re- lated questions covered items about the housing unit in which respondents lived, such as number of rooms, utilities, own- ership, and mortgage. Population-related questions covered items such as sex, age, race, place of birth, education, mari- tal status, migration, labor force status, and income. VICS 2003 is a follow-up to the sur- veys conducted in 2001 and 2002. All 50 states in the U.S. conducted a similar survey known as the American Commu- nity Survey (ACS) that collects data on an inter decennial annual basis. Unlike the Census, which collects housing and population data every 10 years, VICS al- lows the annual collection of such data. Updated information is a critical component of organizing and planning for social, economic, educational, health, and other community needs. One vital area of demand for such statistics is the writing of grant proposals to secure fed- eral funding. The funds awarded are fre- quently linked to a fair share based on population segment statistics. These data also meet the needs of local gov- ernment agencies that receive federal grant funds and have programmatic re- porting requirements. The project was largely funded by the Office of Management and Budget. The Community Foundation of the Virgin Is- lands provided an additional $15,000 for the survey. 10 10 10 10 10 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER MANGO MELEE & FRUIT FESTIVAL MANGO MELEE & FRUIT FESTIVAL MANGO MELEE & FRUIT FESTIVAL MANGO MELEE & FRUIT FESTIVAL MANGO MELEE & FRUIT FESTIVAL Residents evaluate several mango varieties at Mango Melee A HUGE HIT AGAIN A HUGE HIT AGAIN A HUGE HIT AGAIN A HUGE HIT AGAIN A HUGE HIT AGAIN Three thousand people flocked to the St. George Village Botanical Gardens to take part in the annual Mango Melee and Tropi- cal Fruit Festival. The festival is now part of the fabric of St. Croix’s community and is an event that Crucians and visitors alike look forward to. As one entered the gardens, the sweet smell of mangoes and other tropical fruits filled the air. Now in its seventh year, the festival has grown in the number of ven- dors, both food and craft entrepreneurs, fruit displays, workshops, and demonstra- tions. Added interactive activities included a mango-eating contest, mango evaluation, mango and fruit identification contest, and the “Nuttin’ but Mango” food contest. More than 85 varieties of mangoes grown on St. Croix were displayed. Tropi- cal fruits such as pineapples, carambolas, figs, sour sops, breadfruits, breadnuts and many more, also adorned the tables. At the end of the festival, mango enthusiasts were treated to a mango and tropical fruits auc- tion. More than 200 mango fans attended hands-on demonstration workshops on the propagation of tropical fruits and an ice cream demonstration. Of course, the high- light of the day was the mango eating con- test. Fourteen young people competed for the coveted first prize of $50. Other activi- ties included garden games for children. Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festi- val is sponsored by the St. George Village Botanical Garden, University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Virgin Islands Departments of Agriculture and Tourism. Many trees in the Virgin Islands are not properly planted and maintained. As a result, homeowners have problems with trees that are planted too close to a structure, branches running through utility lines, or trees that are dead or dying and are in need of care. The Cooperative Extension Service’ Urban Forestry Program assists homeowners in the purchase and management of trees in the yard or neighborhood. Recently, CES partnered with We Grow Food, Inc., a nonprofit farmer’s group, to conduct a Tree Care Workshop for residents of the western end of St. Thomas. This two-part workshop covered such topics as tools of the trade, tree biology, tree shape and structure, tool safety, fertilization, and reasons for pruning. The workshop also included a practical pruning session where participants actu- ally demonstrated some of the pruning principles they learned in the classroom. For many of the participants, this was the first time they actually used any tool to prune a tree or a shrub. Participants who attended both sessions of the workshop received a pruning saw and a certificate of completion. To learn more on tree care and reasons for pruning, contact the Cooperative Extension Service at (340) 693-1080 or 692-4080. Twenty-three participants received certificates for attending both sessions of the Tree Care Workshop on UVI’s St. Thomas campus RESIDENTS GET HANDS-ON RESIDENTS GET HANDS-ON RESIDENTS GET HANDS-ON RESIDENTS GET HANDS-ON RESIDENTS GET HANDS-ON TRAINING ON TREE CARE TRAINING ON TREE CARE TRAINING ON TREE CARE TRAINING ON TREE CARE TRAINING ON TREE CARE Many homes in the Virgin Islands use a standard septic system to treat waste water from the bathroom, kitchen, and clothes washer. However, public health officials and regulators report that more than 400 septic systems fail in the territory each year. Many septic sys- tems fail in the Virgin Islands because of poor siting or upkeep. Waste water from failing septic systems can pollute cisterns, wells, guts, ponds, and beaches. Sewage can also overflow onto the soil surface around a septic system, creating a public health risk. Waste water also can cause algal blooms in ponds, lagoons, and coastal waters that kill fish and shell fish. To address these problems, the UVI Cooperative Extension Ser- vice (CES) conducted Understanding Your Septic System workshops in August on St. Thomas and St. Croix for residents interested in pre- venting their septic systems from becoming a health hazard or pollu- tion risk. Workshop attendees learned about how septic systems func- tion, how to site and design a septic system, how to operate and maintain septic systems to prevent failures, failure warning signs, and methods for evaluating and ranking septic systems for pollution po- tential. Eighty-one percent of attendees said that they increased their knowledge of septic system issues, and all participants said they would implement at least one of the “good house-keeping” practices recom- mended at the workshops. As a result of the workshops, CES staff also visited a resident’s home site to provide recommendations to remedy the home-owner’s failed system. The Understanding Your Septic System workshop is part of UVI- CES’s VI*A*Syst (V.I. Home & Farm Water Quality Protection) Pro- gram. VI*A*Syst is a voluntary program that offers Virgin Islanders a simple and effective way to help protect water quality and improve health and quality of life by reducing pollution risks in and around the home. For more information on septic systems or the VI*A*Syst Pro- gram, contact Julie Wright, (340) 693-1082 or jwright@uvi.edu, or Dale Morton (340) 693-1086 or dmorton@uvi.edu. UVI-CES HELPS RESIDENTS UVI-CES HELPS RESIDENTS UVI-CES HELPS RESIDENTS UVI-CES HELPS RESIDENTS UVI-CES HELPS RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND AND MAINTAIN UNDERSTAND AND MAINTAIN UNDERSTAND AND MAINTAIN UNDERSTAND AND MAINTAIN UNDERSTAND AND MAINTAIN THEIR SEPTIC SYSTEMS THEIR SEPTIC SYSTEMS THEIR SEPTIC SYSTEMS THEIR SEPTIC SYSTEMS THEIR SEPTIC SYSTEMS 11 1111 1111 JANUARY 2004 The Animal Science Program of the Agri- cultural Experiment Station opened the gates of the farm to the community for an afternoon of education and interaction. The open house was held on September 25, 2003, at the Sheep Re- search Facility on the St. Croix campus. Visitors were given the opportunity to see the sheep, learn about some of the student research projects, and see some of the equipment used in Animal Science research. The more than 30 people who attended the open house included livestock farmers, UVI students, faculty and ad- ministrators as well as other interested commu- nity members. In addition to providing informa- tion and exposure to the research equipment visitors were treated to delicious samples of lo- cal lamb cooked on the grill by Stuart Weiss, Agronomy Research Specialist. Dr. Bob Godfrey, Animal Science Program Leader, demonstrated the use of an endoscope. The endoscope is a device that allows research- ers to look inside an animal using a small diam- eter viewing scope and fiber optic light. The mini- mally invasive procedure and equipment are similar to that used in human medicine for an increasing number of “out patient” procedures. Dr. Godfrey and his staff use the endoscope, connected to a video camera and a color moni- tor, to evaluate the timing and number of ovula- tions in the hair sheep as part of their research. The demonstration included a pre-recorded video of a procedure conducted to count the number of ovulations on the ovaries of a sheep. Raina Dodson, Research Specialist, dem- onstrated the use of the linear array and Dop- pler ultrasounds and a microscope. The linear ultrasound is used to determine pregnancy in ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM HOLDS ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM HOLDS ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM HOLDS ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM HOLDS ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM HOLDS OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN HOUSE AT SHEEP RESEARCH FACILITY HOUSE AT SHEEP RESEARCH FACILITY HOUSE AT SHEEP RESEARCH FACILITY HOUSE AT SHEEP RESEARCH FACILITY HOUSE AT SHEEP RESEARCH FACILITY livestock. This is similar to the procedure used in human medicine to evaluate the health and development of the fetus. Raina played a video- tape of previously conducted examinations to show what a 28 and 42 day old sheep fetus looks like inside the ewe. Structures such as the beat- ing heart, the head, the eyes, the skeleton and the limbs were pointed out to the observers on the screen. Another type of ultrasound demon- strated was Doppler ultrasound. This is used to monitor the heart beat of the fetus during devel- opment. The linear and Doppler ultrasound equipment will be used in a student research project conducted during this fall (See related article below). The microscope is used by the researchers for semen evaluations and parasi- tology research. Slides containing fixed speci- mens of each type were available for visitors to look at under the microscope. Adam “AJ” Weis, Research Analyst, talked about the animals used in the research projects. Purebred St. Croix White, Barbados Blackbelly, Dorper and Dor- per X St. Croix White crossbred sheep were on display. Adam provided information about the management practices used on the farm, such as rotational grazing, managed breeding and the animal health program, as well as describing the current research that is being done to evaluate the productivity of the crossbred sheep in com- parison to the purebreds. Posters describing recent research projects were on display as well. Several were the re- sults of research projects conducted by UVI un- dergraduate students in the Minority Biomedi- cal Research Support-Research Initiative for Sci- entific Enhancement (MBRS-RISE) program supported by a grant from the National Institutes Top: Research Analysts Adam “AJ” Weis tells a visitor about the Dorper crossbred sheep that are being studied by the Animal Science Program Bottom: Research Specialist Riana Dodson, center, shows visitors how the Animal Science Program uses ultrasound to detect pregnancy in sheep. She is pointing to the image of a sheep fetus on the monitor of Health. The grant was awarded to the Sci- ence and Math Division with AES as a collabo- rator. The Animal Science program also conducts research on cattle. Some of the posters displayed results of research projects conducted on dairy (Holstein) and beef (Senepol) cattle in the past few years. ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM HOSTS EXCHANGE STUDENTS HOSTS EXCHANGE STUDENTS HOSTS EXCHANGE STUDENTS HOSTS EXCHANGE STUDENTS HOSTS EXCHANGE STUDENTS Dr. Bob Godfrey is also mentoring two undergraduate National Student Exchange National Student Exchange students Lindsay Larsen and Melinda Loewer conduct an ultrasound exam on a St. Croix White ewe at the AES Sheep Research Facility to determine the number of lambs she is carrying of progesterone in pregnant and non-pregnant sheep. Progesterone is a steroid hormone se- creted by the corpus luteum of the ovary after ovulation and is partially responsible for main- taining pregnancy. The adrenal glands also se- crete the steroid hormone cortisol in response to stress. These two hormones are linked be- cause progesterone is a precursor in the syn- thetic pathway of cortisol. Ms. Loewer’s project will involve treating pregnant or cycling ewes with a hormone to stimulate adrenal production of cortisol and progesterone in the presence of en- dogenous, ovarian progesterone. Ewes that have had their ovaries removed will be treated with the same hormone to evaluate adrenal pro- duction of cortisol and progesterone in the ab- sence of endogenous, ovarian progesterone. The results of her project will provide informa- tion on the endocrinology of stress and preg- nancy in sheep. Both students will prepare research reports on the results of their projects and assist in pre- paring the data for presentation at a scientific meeting. . (NSE) students enrolled in directed indepen- dent research. Lindsay Larsen and Melinda Loewer are juniors from Oregon State Uni- versity in Corvallis. Both students are Pre-Vet majors and plan to apply to veterinary school upon completion of their degrees. As part of their directed independent research, they will be conducting research projects in the Ani- mal Science Program. Ms. Larsen will be conducting a project using linear array and Doppler ultrasound to monitor fetal development in the Barbados Blackbelly, St. Croix White and Dorper X St. Croix White sheep. Upon completion of the project, her data will be used to develop pre- diction equations that would be used to pre- dict fetal age based on size or heart rate. This information currently exists for the temperate breeds of wool sheep but not for the tropical hair sheep breeds. Ms. Loewer will be working on a project that is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Scott Willard of Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, to evaluate non-ovarian sources 12 12 12 12 12 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER AES RESEARCH FACULTY JOINED CES AES RESEARCH FACULTY JOINED CES AES RESEARCH FACULTY JOINED CES AES RESEARCH FACULTY JOINED CES AES RESEARCH FACULTY JOINED CES STAFF IN GHANA TRAINING WORKSHOPS STAFF IN GHANA TRAINING WORKSHOPS STAFF IN GHANA TRAINING WORKSHOPS STAFF IN GHANA TRAINING WORKSHOPS STAFF IN GHANA TRAINING WORKSHOPS The USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, through its International Program, invited the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) to conduct a series of training workshops for the Ghana Agricultural Extension Capacity Building Project. USDA is collaborating with the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to support agribusiness, entrepreneurship and extension development in Ghana. The goal of this project is to build capacity within the Ghanaian Extension System to en- able agricultural agents to guide farmers in de- veloping the ability to produce for the domestic market and to participate in world trade. The project will develop and implement a series of train-the-trainer for agricultural extension per- sonnel in Ghana in a variety of areas from production through post-harvest handling, value-added processing, export marketing, agribusiness development, farm entrepre- neurship and the development of off-and-on- farm human institutional resources. From February to September, three sepa- rate workshops were conducted by CES and Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) staff. The first train-the-trainer workshop focused on mar- keting and export business development of okra and chili peppers presented by Mr. Kwame Garcia, CES State Director, and Mr. Kofi Boateng, CES Associate Director. Several re- source persons from Ghana also served as train- ers. Its purpose was to establish a market-ori- ented training for the extension agents and to provide them with training strategies and skills to better advise farmers on marketing, develop- ment of business plans and accessing interna- tional markets. The intensive 3-day seminar was held in Accra on February 19-21. The 31 people in attendance included rep- resentatives from the Ministry, MOFA extension agents, farmers from several cooperatives, and a few representatives from non-governmental organizations. Specific topics presented during the 3-day seminar included principles and prac- tices of marketing of horticultural crops, stra- tegic marketing of chilis and okra in Ghana, developing a marketing plan for export and developing a business plan. Evaluation feed- back from participants at the end of the work- shop were positive. The second train-the-trainer workshop fo- cused on production, post-harvest handling and value addition of chili pepper and okra. Mr. Stafford Crossman, Extension Program Super- visor and Dr. Manuel Palada, AES Research Faculty, along with Mr. Mawuli Agboka, Horticul- turist, DAES/MOFA, served as resource persons and presented training lectures. Specific work- shop goals were to: 1) present and discuss the importance of appropriate management prac- tices for growing and production of chili pepper and okra to ensure quality of the product; 2) dis- cuss the basic principles of post-harvest han- dling and provide extension officers with a bet- ter understanding of post-handling and process- ing of chili pepper and okra for domestic and export markets; and 3) present and provide information and demonstrate and discuss vari- ous methods and forms used in handling, stor- ing, and value-adding processing for chili pep- per and okra. The intensive 3-day workshop was held in Accra on June 4-6. The 30 people n attendance included local farmers from various cooperatives, food processors, representatives from the Min- istry, and MOFA extension officers. The work- shop consisted of training lectures, discussion, demonstration, farm visit, tour of a post-harvest handling facility, group work, group presentations and evaluation. Some important topics covered were climate requirements for okra and chili pep- per, mulching, irrigation, plant nutrient, integrated pest management, harvest and post harvest handling. All of these lectures were presented with colorful slides using the Power Point soft- ware. The participants learned new develop- ments and production methods, especially for chili peppers, from research conducted at AES for the past 10 years. At the end of the work- shop, participants were highly satisfied with the training materials presented by the trainers. The third and final workshop focused on pineapple production, harvest and post harvest handling. Dr. Chris Ramcharan, retired AES Research Faculty, conducted the workshop in September. The purpose and goals of the work- shop were similar to those for chili and okra. These workshops earned international rec- ognition for RPS, in particular, and UVI, in gen- eral. It is expected that requests for workshops like this will continue in the future and CES and AES will continue to provide the expertise. For more information, please contact Mr. Kwame Garcia at (340) 692-4091; e-mail: kgarcia@uvi.edu. The UVI-Coopera- tive Extension Service (CES) Mini-Society pro- gram sponsored by the Ewing Kauffman Foun- dation has as its mis- sion the development of entrepreneurial, eco- nomic and citizenship skills in 8-12 year olds. “We are convinced that the next Bill Gates can come from the Vir- gin Islands,” stated one of the trainers. Teach- ers, counselors and youth workers have been trained to facilitate youth as they move through the Mini-Society experience over a series of weeks. Through the curriculum, young people are exposed to the idea of owning their own business versus prepar- ing to work for others. Independence and self-sufficiency are stressed as young people get the opportunity to experience and de- velop their own business, which culminates in a market day during which they might sell merchandise and showcase service busi- nesses. CES MINI-SOCIETY DEVELOPS ‘BUSINESS TYCOONS’ CES MINI-SOCIETY DEVELOPS ‘BUSINESS TYCOONS’ CES MINI-SOCIETY DEVELOPS ‘BUSINESS TYCOONS’ CES MINI-SOCIETY DEVELOPS ‘BUSINESS TYCOONS’ CES MINI-SOCIETY DEVELOPS ‘BUSINESS TYCOONS’ Students initially learn concepts through facili- tated, structured activities, i.e. scarcity and allocation of resources. Their inter- ests are peaked regarding the number of consider- ations in running a busi- ness: Should you establish yourself as a sole propri- etor or work with business partners? How do you set goals and objectives? What is involved in banking decisions? Why is it important to work cooperatively with oth- ers? What is involved in interviewing and hir- ing staff? Although the emphasis is on en- trepreneurship, economics and citizenship, young people nationwide have demonstrated an increased interest in school. Research suggests the Mini-Society program en- hances concepts and skills in other subject areas, as well. For more information, con- tact Kofi Boateng, Associate Director-CES, at (340) 692-4066, or Lois V. Sanders, Asst. Director-4-H/Family & Consumer Sciences Program, at (340) 692-4096. Mini-Society participants develop their business merchandise (From left) Kofi Boateng, CES Associate Director, and Kwame Garcia, CES State Director, with Patty Fulton, National Program Leader for USDA‘s International Programs, and Mawuli Agboka of the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture at the Ghana workshop 13 13 13 13 13 JANUARY 2004 Red hind grouper have received con- siderable attention from UVI researchers in the last five years. These fish move long distances to spawn at specific locations on deep reefs during the full moon nights in December, January and February. Such spawning aggregations are especially vul- nerable to over-exploitation. Thus, like many other grouper species in the Caribbean, management of red hind has focused on protecting the sites where aggregations occur though designation of marine re- serves. On St. Thomas, the Marine Conserva- tion District contains the largest known red hind spawning aggregation in the region. Protection of this site has led to consider- able population increases. However, there is still a large ‘black hole’ in our knowledge of the life cycle of these fish. Larvae produced during the spawning event typically spend around 30 days drift- ing on ocean currents or actively dispers- ing before settling into one or more nursery habitats. But where the young fish choose to settle and the habitats in which they spend the first couple of years of their life have, until now, remained a mystery. Dr. Elizabeth Whiteman at the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies has spent the summer months investigating the patterns of habitat use by juvenile red hind around St. Thomas. She notes, “We can- not ignore the juvenile life stages of these fish. If they have very specific preferences for a habitat that is either threatened or ex- ists in only small patches, then only pro- tecting the adults at spawning aggregations (while clearly important) may do little to pro- tect the population as a whole.” In fact, it does appear that young red hind select specific habitat types. After con- ducting searches for these fish at more than 20 different near-shore locations Dr Whiteman has demonstrated that these fish live in dis- tinct habitats. Small individuals, less than 15cm, have been found in two habitat types: coral mounds formed by finger corals and sand/ rock substrates covered with patches of gorgonians, sponges or small coral heads. Importantly, within these broad habitats the fish are seen hiding amongst the fingers of coral, the fronds of gorgonians, and sponge tubes. These small fish seem to select habi- tats which afford protection from potential predators. Furthermore, as juvenile red hind grow they move between habitats, expanding into reefs, patch reefs and bedrock habitats as sub-adults. Particularly striking is the finding that more than 95% of the smallest size classes seen were observed on the north coast of St. Thomas. At the moment this raises far more questions than answers. Is this a re- flection of current patterns around St. Tho- mas? Do suitable habitats now only exist on the north side of St. Thomas? Do juve- nile red hind found around St. Thomas origi- nate from spawning aggregations further east in the British Virgin Islands? There is much potential for this research to continue and expand. However, it’s not always easy to find these small individuals. As adults, many groupers are shy and cryptic, retreating into holes and cavities when approached. Juvenile red hind show the same characteristics. Finding and censusing these fish can therefore be very challenging. As part of this study, work has focussed on trials of new methods to achieve accurate counts of individuals in different habitats. Using bait to draw these fish out of the complex reef structure ap- pears very successful in detecting individu- als of all sizes. Of course much remains to be done. During the spring when larvae disperse CMES EXPANDS GROUPER RESEARCH: CMES EXPANDS GROUPER RESEARCH: CMES EXPANDS GROUPER RESEARCH: CMES EXPANDS GROUPER RESEARCH: CMES EXPANDS GROUPER RESEARCH: IDENTIFYING ESSENTIAL HABITAT IDENTIFYING ESSENTIAL HABITAT IDENTIFYING ESSENTIAL HABITAT IDENTIFYING ESSENTIAL HABITAT IDENTIFYING ESSENTIAL HABITAT FOR JUVENILE RED HIND FOR JUVENILE RED HIND FOR JUVENILE RED HIND FOR JUVENILE RED HIND FOR JUVENILE RED HIND from aggregation sites CMES staff hope to deploy ‘witham collectors’. These collectors are typically used to census juvenile lob- ster but may also be very effective at at- tracting newly settled groupers. Perhaps the most important conclusion to draw from this research is that the es- sential habitats identified so far, particularly those dominated by sand/rock and gorgon- ians, are rarely considered for inclusion in near-shore marine protected areas. In the last five years there have been dozens of studies illustrating the importance of man- groves and seagrasses as nursery areas for many marine fish. The importance of coral reefs for both coastal and biodiversity protec- tion is also equally well demonstrated. However, rarely are rock/sand domi- nated habitats included as priorities for pro- tection. Research on the juvenile groupers is beginning to illustrate the importance of networks of marine protected areas that include examples of all habitat types. In collaboration with the Ocean Con- servancy this research will continue through next spring and summer so that it will be possible to determine whether the patterns discovered so far can be applied to other areas, e.g. St. John, and to other species of grouper. Juvenile red hind hiding between coral fingers 14 14 14 14 14 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER The Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Coastal Zone Man- agement Program named Olasee Davis as the recipient of the U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management 25th Anniver- sary Distinguished Service Award. Davis received the award at a cock- tail reception at Government House on St. Thomas on October 12, 2003. Davis was honored for his continued commitment and diligent work in helping to preserve the Virgin Islands’ coastal and marine resources for future generations through environmental programs and projects, and for promoting an attitude of stewardship and responsibility to individu- als in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Car- ibbean. Davis, who is an extension specialist Olasee Davis poses with distinguished Service Award CES EMPLOYEE RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD CES EMPLOYEE RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD CES EMPLOYEE RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD CES EMPLOYEE RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD CES EMPLOYEE RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD The UVI Cooperative Extension Service celebrated Home Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) & Children’s Health month by conducting presentations for youth & community groups, presenting information on local ra- dio talk shows, and promoting awareness of and actions to protect Children’s Health & Home Indoor Air Quality here in the Vir- gin Islands. National Home Indoor Air Quality Ac- tion & Awareness Month was developed by the Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes Program and is supported by a Presiden- tial Proclamation. Each week focused on a different home indoor air topic (general IAQ action & awareness, children & asthma, secondhand smoke & children’s health, and lead & children). During Children’s Health Month, the En- vironmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined with other agencies of the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children to help Americans take actions to protect our most precious future resource - our children. Families were able to take advantage of a special Octo- ber calendar that includes an action step for each day of the month. Topics range from CES OBSERVES NATIONAL HOME INDOOR AIR QUALITY & CES OBSERVES NATIONAL HOME INDOOR AIR QUALITY & CES OBSERVES NATIONAL HOME INDOOR AIR QUALITY & CES OBSERVES NATIONAL HOME INDOOR AIR QUALITY & CES OBSERVES NATIONAL HOME INDOOR AIR QUALITY & CHILDREN’S HEALTH MONTH CHILDREN’S HEALTH MONTH CHILDREN’S HEALTH MONTH CHILDREN’S HEALTH MONTH CHILDREN’S HEALTH MONTH nutrition and school health, to environmen- tal safety, to injury and disease prevention. To promote Indoor Air Quality & Children’s Health months here in the Virgin Islands, CES delivered a number of presen- tations to teachers, health care workers and students. CES discussed Indoor Air Qual- ity in the Schools & A Less-Toxic Classroom Environment with twenty (20) teachers and paraprofessionals at the Annual 25th AFT (American Federation of Teachers) Local 1825 Mini-Quest, held October 20th, 2003. The room was overflowing with interested participants, many of who promised to fol- low up and invite CES staff to their schools and try to have their administrators make changes within the school (three additional information packages were distributed to at- tendees who were unable to join the ses- sion). CES delivered three indoor air quality presentations to 28 adult education students on the invitation of one of the Mini-Quest participants. On November 4th, CES was invited to deliver an indoor air quality & non- toxic households presentation at the Mater- nal Child Health & Children with Special Health Care Needs Programs’ (MCHC/ SHCN) “Asthma Awareness and Education Program” at the St. Croix Curriculum Cen- ter for 24 school nurses, Head Start per- sonnel, and MCHC/SHCN program staff. CES also delivered five indoor air quality presentations to 148 sixth grade students, 9 teachers and 4 custodians at Lockhart Elementary School. For all these presenta- tions, participants were given a total of 125 information packets providing factsheets on asthma, indoor air quality, the national Help Yourself to a Healthy Home booklet, and CES’ Recipes for a Non-toxic Household booklet. CES also hit the airwaves with the mes- sage. Staff appeared on WSTA’s “Pulse of the People” with Dr. Alex Randall and on WVWI’s “Afternoon Mix” with Raul Carrillo (joined by local allergist Dr. Audria Thomas) to discuss indoor air quality and children’s health issues. As a result of those radio appearances, 2 clients called to request further information about indoor air quality, and a young lady even stopped a Healthy Homes Coordinator (Dale Morton) in K-Mart on a Sunday morning to request a copy of CES’ Recipes for a Non-Toxic Household booklet. Ever on the job, Mr. Morton just happened to have a copy of the booklet in his car to give to her! Even though October is gone, indoor air quality and children’s health continue to remain important issues in the territory. For more information on these topics, or to schedule a presentation, please contact Dale Morton at (340) 693-1080. MCHC/SHCN “Asthma Awareness & Education” program participants listen attentively to presenters with UVI’s Cooperative Extension Service in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Program, has conducted numerous envi- ronmental hikes and workshops on St. Croix and St. Thomas for private and pub- lic schools and youth groups. According to Kwame Garcia, Sr., State Director of UVI’s Cooperative Extension Service, Davis is an excellent UVI em- ployee who has been recognized nation- ally for his environmental commitment to the territory and, through his work at the Extension Service continues to provide educational workshops that respond to the needs of our community. The staff of the Cooperative Extension Service extended congratulations to Mr. Olasee Davis on winning this distin- guished award. 15 15 15 15 15 JANUARY 2004 A few years ago, a federal official of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service visited the Plant Material Center on St. Croix. While he was here, he mentioned he mentioned to the members of the RC&D Council that a hiking trail should be established along the streambed of Estate Adventure. Thanks to many volunteers, the Cooperative Extension Ser- vice (CES) and members of the St. Croix Hiking Association, the hiking trail has become a reality. It would have happened without the collaboration of the Virgin Islands Resource Conservation and De- velopment Service and CES. Together, the agencies wrote a grant that was funded through the Virgin Is- lands Community Forestry Council. The goals and objectives were: 1. To create educational opportunities and enhance wildlife habitats in an island natural environment. 2. To create a nature center and botanical environ- ment for students and adults in the Virgin Islands affording them a hands-on opportunity to be involved with planting and nurturing of plants on the nature trail. 3. To involve students in the learning and application of botany, geology, biology, wildlife, and environmen- tal science. 4. Teachers of all disciplines (English, arts, science, etc.) will be able to use this area to help enhance and open the minds of students to the majesty of nature. This area will be utilized by students to help enforce observation skills that are unable to be taught in a classroom environment. 5. To educate the public to the value of preserving the natural resources of the Virgin Islands (soil, water, air, plants, animal). The cutting of the path to create the trail started in the middle of 2002 by inmates from the Golden Grove Correctional Facility. Students from Central High School and the Educational Complex were also involved. Their job was to computerize the species of plants and ani- mals by scientific and common names, medicinal use of plants, and historical and cultural use of the area. NATURE TRAIL ON ST. CROIX NATURE TRAIL ON ST. CROIX NATURE TRAIL ON ST. CROIX NATURE TRAIL ON ST. CROIX NATURE TRAIL ON ST. CROIX TO ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT TO ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT TO ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT TO ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT TO ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT A brief history of the area is also a part of the na- ture trail. During the Danish colonial period of St. Croix, the island was divided into nine quarters. These plan- tation systems were named Northside A, Northside B, Westend, Prince’s, King’s, Queen’s, Company, Eastend A, Eastend B proceeding from east to west. Estate Adventure was designated as Prince Quarter. The land was flat and was situated between two hills. Before the estate was cleared for sugarcane cultiva- tion, tall trees were found in the area. When the Danish planter Reimert Haagensen arrived on St. Croix in 1739, he stated, “The thick forests had to be cleared, large trees felled and hauled to the seashores for sale, roads had to be cut and maintained, and the initial dwellings and estate structures-the mills and factories had to be constructed.” The dry streambed today that divided Estate Golden Grove and Estate Adventure was once a small river that ran all year around to the South Shore. The three-quarter mile trail, located directly south of the Department of Agriculture in Estate Lower Love, is centrally located on the island. Sepa- rating Estate Adventure from Estate Golden Grove is the dry streambed. Water flows in this area from the watershed of the north including Blue Mountain and Big Fountain to the south sea of the island. From the middle of the 1700’s, cane grew in this area up until 1966, when the fertile plains were then turned to cattle grazing. Today, the open field is used for hay. The Old Danish Bridge built in 1910 is located at the top of the trail. Along the trail are many native and intro- duced species of trees. Also along the path is an old sugar or water mill, as well as a small dam built across the streambed. So far, we have constructed four bridges, three sets of steps built from WAPA telephones, and a boardwalk. Work is in progress to build walkways in certain areas of the trail with crushed stones. Historical and species signs of plants and ani- mals will be installed along the trail. These Signs with information about a particular animal species or historical site will be installed along the path. Caution signs will also be installed, since it is feder- ally funded project. At the head of the trail, there will be a constructed shanty structure with information about the trial including a map of the area, history, distances, and other information for public use. The trail has an appearance of a tropical rain forest with savanna grassland on the west. The benefits of this project are two-fold. Both stu- dents and the general public who visit the site will gain an increased knowledge in being able to identify native veg- etation, historical sites, and wildlife common to these is- lands. The trail also illustrates how all facets of nature plays a major role in the island ecosystem. This nature trail will promote the concept that the environment can and should be able to coexist with man. This is the only trial in the Virgin Islands of its kind. The trail will officially be opened in early 2004. Staff from CES, volunteers and members of the St. Croix Hiking Association prepare the nature trail in Estate Adventure & R PS HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP:// :// :// :// ://RPS RPS RPS RPS RPS.UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU/ “THE BENEFITS OF THE BENEFITS OF THE BENEFITS OF THE BENEFITS OF THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROJECT ARE THIS PROJECT ARE THIS PROJECT ARE THIS PROJECT ARE THIS PROJECT ARE TWO-FOLD. BOTH TWO-FOLD. BOTH TWO-FOLD. BOTH TWO-FOLD. BOTH TWO-FOLD. BOTH STUDENTS AND THE STUDENTS AND THE STUDENTS AND THE STUDENTS AND THE STUDENTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC GENERAL PUBLIC GENERAL PUBLIC GENERAL PUBLIC GENERAL PUBLIC WHO VISIT THE SITE WHO VISIT THE SITE WHO VISIT THE SITE WHO VISIT THE SITE WHO VISIT THE SITE WILL GAIN AN WILL GAIN AN WILL GAIN AN WILL GAIN AN WILL GAIN AN INCREASED INCREASED INCREASED INCREASED INCREASED KNOWLEDGE IN BEING KNOWLEDGE IN BEING KNOWLEDGE IN BEING KNOWLEDGE IN BEING KNOWLEDGE IN BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY ABLE TO IDENTIFY ABLE TO IDENTIFY ABLE TO IDENTIFY ABLE TO IDENTIFY NATIVE VEGETATION, NATIVE VEGETATION, NATIVE VEGETATION, NATIVE VEGETATION, NATIVE VEGETATION, HISTORICAL SITES, HISTORICAL SITES, HISTORICAL SITES, HISTORICAL SITES, HISTORICAL SITES, AND WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE COMMON TO THESE COMMON TO THESE COMMON TO THESE COMMON TO THESE COMMON TO THESE ISLANDS. THE TRAIL ISLANDS. THE TRAIL ISLANDS. THE TRAIL ISLANDS. THE TRAIL ISLANDS. THE TRAIL ALSO ILLUSTRATES ALSO ILLUSTRATES ALSO ILLUSTRATES ALSO ILLUSTRATES ALSO ILLUSTRATES HOW ALL FACETS OF HOW ALL FACETS OF HOW ALL FACETS OF HOW ALL FACETS OF HOW ALL FACETS OF NATURE PLAYS A NATURE PLAYS A NATURE PLAYS A NATURE PLAYS A NATURE PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN THE MAJOR ROLE IN THE MAJOR ROLE IN THE MAJOR ROLE IN THE MAJOR ROLE IN THE ISLAND ECOSYSTEM. ISLAND ECOSYSTEM. ISLAND ECOSYSTEM. ISLAND ECOSYSTEM. ISLAND ECOSYSTEM.” 16 16 16 16 16 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER *for more information on these events, contact the sponsoring department. & R PS UVI R UVI R UVI R UVI R UVI RESEARCH ESEARCH ESEARCH ESEARCH ESEARCH & P & P & P & P & PUBLIC UBLIC UBLIC UBLIC UBLIC S S S S SERVICE ERVICE ERVICE ERVICE ERVICE #2 J #2 J #2 J #2 J #2 JOHN OHN OHN OHN OHN B B B B BREWERS REWERS REWERS REWERS REWERS B B B B BAY AY AY AY AY ST. T . T . T . T . THOMAS HOMAS HOMAS HOMAS HOMAS, VI 00802 , VI 00802 , VI 00802 , VI 00802 , VI 00802 FEBRUARY 4 GUIDANCE TO FILING YOUR TAXES ON TIME/SBDC* GUIDANCE TO FILING YOUR TAXES ON TIME/SBDC* GUIDANCE TO FILING YOUR TAXES ON TIME/SBDC* GUIDANCE TO FILING YOUR TAXES ON TIME/SBDC* GUIDANCE TO FILING YOUR TAXES ON TIME/SBDC* 11 1111 11 11 IDENTITY THEFT SEMINAR/SBDC IDENTITY THEFT SEMINAR/SBDC IDENTITY THEFT SEMINAR/SBDC IDENTITY THEFT SEMINAR/SBDC IDENTITY THEFT SEMINAR/SBDC 14-16 14-16 14-16 14-16 14-16 AGRICULTURE & FOOD FAIR/CES AGRICULTURE & FOOD FAIR/CES AGRICULTURE & FOOD FAIR/CES AGRICULTURE & FOOD FAIR/CES AGRICULTURE & FOOD FAIR/CES 18 18 18 18 18 NEW IMAGE POLICY BOARD SEMINAR/SBDC NEW IMAGE POLICY BOARD SEMINAR/SBDC NEW IMAGE POLICY BOARD SEMINAR/SBDC NEW IMAGE POLICY BOARD SEMINAR/SBDC NEW IMAGE POLICY BOARD SEMINAR/SBDC 18 18 18 18 18 PERSONNEL HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES/SBDC PERSONNEL HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES/SBDC PERSONNEL HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES/SBDC PERSONNEL HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES/SBDC PERSONNEL HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES/SBDC 20 20 20 20 20 YOUTH OUTREACH-JANE E. TUITT SCHOOL/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH-JANE E. TUITT SCHOOL/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH-JANE E. TUITT SCHOOL/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH-JANE E. TUITT SCHOOL/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH-JANE E. TUITT SCHOOL/SBDC 25 25 25 25 25 FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC 26 26 26 26 26 NATIONAL CONSUMER MONTH – WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL CONSUMER MONTH – WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL CONSUMER MONTH – WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL CONSUMER MONTH – WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL CONSUMER MONTH – WORKSHOP ON SERVICES/CES SERVICES/CES SERVICES/CES SERVICES/CES SERVICES/CES MARCH 3 CUSTOMER SERVICE/SBDC CUSTOMER SERVICE/SBDC CUSTOMER SERVICE/SBDC CUSTOMER SERVICE/SBDC CUSTOMER SERVICE/SBDC 4 FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC FILING YOUR BUSINESS TAXES/SBDC 8 SMALL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SHORT COURSE/CES SMALL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SHORT COURSE/CES SMALL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SHORT COURSE/CES SMALL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SHORT COURSE/CES SMALL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SHORT COURSE/CES 17 17 17 17 17 TIME MANAGEMENT/SBDC TIME MANAGEMENT/SBDC TIME MANAGEMENT/SBDC TIME MANAGEMENT/SBDC TIME MANAGEMENT/SBDC 17-18 17-18 17-18 17-18 17-18 VEGETARIAN WORKSHOP/CES VEGETARIAN WORKSHOP/CES VEGETARIAN WORKSHOP/CES VEGETARIAN WORKSHOP/CES VEGETARIAN WORKSHOP/CES 23 & 26 23 & 26 23 & 26 23 & 26 23 & 26 WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC 24 24 24 24 24 DIABETIC WORKSHOP/CES DIABETIC WORKSHOP/CES DIABETIC WORKSHOP/CES DIABETIC WORKSHOP/CES DIABETIC WORKSHOP/CES RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS FEBRUARY EBRUARY EBRUARY EBRUARY EBRUARY - M - M - M - M - MAY AY AY AY AY 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 APRIL 7 MONEY MANAGEMENT/SBDC MONEY MANAGEMENT/SBDC MONEY MANAGEMENT/SBDC MONEY MANAGEMENT/SBDC MONEY MANAGEMENT/SBDC 7 COLOR LINES & DESIGN WORKSHOP/CES COLOR LINES & DESIGN WORKSHOP/CES COLOR LINES & DESIGN WORKSHOP/CES COLOR LINES & DESIGN WORKSHOP/CES COLOR LINES & DESIGN WORKSHOP/CES 8 & 14 8 & 14 8 & 14 8 & 14 8 & 14 GRANT WRITING BASICS/SKILLS/SBDC GRANT WRITING BASICS/SKILLS/SBDC GRANT WRITING BASICS/SKILLS/SBDC GRANT WRITING BASICS/SKILLS/SBDC GRANT WRITING BASICS/SKILLS/SBDC 13 13 13 13 13 COMPUTER TRAINING FOR FARMERS/CES COMPUTER TRAINING FOR FARMERS/CES COMPUTER TRAINING FOR FARMERS/CES COMPUTER TRAINING FOR FARMERS/CES COMPUTER TRAINING FOR FARMERS/CES 14 14 14 14 14 STRESS WORKSHOP/CES STRESS WORKSHOP/CES STRESS WORKSHOP/CES STRESS WORKSHOP/CES STRESS WORKSHOP/CES 26-MAY 1 26-MAY 1 26-MAY 1 26-MAY 1 26-MAY 1 NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK/SBDC NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK/SBDC NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK/SBDC NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK/SBDC NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK/SBDC MAY 5 COPING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT/SBDC COPING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT/SBDC COPING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT/SBDC COPING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT/SBDC COPING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT/SBDC 12 12 12 12 12 HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/SBDC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/SBDC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/SBDC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/SBDC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/SBDC 13 13 13 13 13 SELLING A BUSINESS/SBDC SELLING A BUSINESS/SBDC SELLING A BUSINESS/SBDC SELLING A BUSINESS/SBDC SELLING A BUSINESS/SBDC 13 13 13 13 13 BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING & OSTEOPOROSIS/CES BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING & OSTEOPOROSIS/CES BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING & OSTEOPOROSIS/CES BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING & OSTEOPOROSIS/CES BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING & OSTEOPOROSIS/CES 13-14 13-14 13-14 13-14 13-14 HEALTH & BEAUTY WORKSHOP/CES HEALTH & BEAUTY WORKSHOP/CES HEALTH & BEAUTY WORKSHOP/CES HEALTH & BEAUTY WORKSHOP/CES HEALTH & BEAUTY WORKSHOP/CES 19 19 19 19 19 CHANGING CAREERS/SBDC CHANGING CAREERS/SBDC CHANGING CAREERS/SBDC CHANGING CAREERS/SBDC CHANGING CAREERS/SBDC 25 & 28 25 & 28 25 & 28 25 & 28 25 & 28 WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC 27 27 27 27 27 BUYING A BUSINESS/SBDCC BUYING A BUSINESS/SBDCC BUYING A BUSINESS/SBDCC BUYING A BUSINESS/SBDCC BUYING A BUSINESS/SBDCC & R PS