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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 6, No. 3 News from the UVI Research and Public Service Component SEPTEMBER 2003 & 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. 16 Winners 2 UVI Receives $1.1 million SCORE Grant 3 Senator Speaks at UVI Ag Forum 4 WRRI Summer Water Education Sessions Offered to Campers 5 UVI Presents V.I. Senate Results of Air Services Study 6 AES Aquaculture Program Achieves Record Enrollment In Aquaponics Short Course 8 CES Farmer Com- puter Short Course a Success 9 SBDC Briefs 10 CMES Evaluating Sedimentation on St. Croix Reefs 11 UVI-AES Offers Four New Fact Sheets Researchers at UVI’s Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES) are working with Coral World Marine Park on a study to determine the effectiveness and longevity of scientific tags being used on red hind grouper. This is part of an ongoing tagging program being conducted by CMES to determine the population size and movement patterns of the red hind grouper on reefs around the USVI. The red hind grouper is a very important fish in the USVI for economic, cultural and environmental reasons. The grouper has been overfished in much of the Caribbean, and is, therefore, of special interest to fisheries Coral World aquarist assists CMES in proving a natural setting in the coral reef exhibit at Coral World to stimulate the habitat grouper normally lives in CMES CONDUCTS RED HIND CMES CONDUCTS RED HIND CMES CONDUCTS RED HIND CMES CONDUCTS RED HIND CMES CONDUCTS RED HIND STUDY AT CORAL WORLD STUDY AT CORAL WORLD STUDY AT CORAL WORLD STUDY AT CORAL WORLD STUDY AT CORAL WORLD managers. Red hind grouper reproduce or spawn during three months in the winter each year, generally gathering from miles around to form huge spawning aggregations on one particular reef. This makes them extremely vulnerable to overfishing at that time. The Caribbean Management Council created a marine reserve in 1999, closing all fishing, to protect the groupers in the area they are known to aggregate. This reserve, the Marine Conserva- tion District (MCD), is located south of St. Thomas on the deep shelf drop-off, and has Continued on p. 2 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/ been monitored over the last three years by Dr. Richard Nemeth of CMES and his research staff. Nemeth is also interested in discovering where the fish go when they are not in the reproductive season. With funding assistance from the National Marine Fisheries Service MARFIN program, several thousand fish have been caught on the aggregation site and tagged with small plastic external tags over the past three years. They are then released back into the MCD. Each tag is inscribed with the CMES telephone number and a unique serial number. Many of the tagged fish have been recaptured by fishermen, some in areas up to 25 kilometers from the reef on which they were released. Understanding how well the tags are retained by the fish and whether they influence mortality is extremely important. To test the effectiveness and longevity of the tags, Nemeth is keeping a watch on a group of tagged red hind groupers in captivity. This part of the study will be used to estimate the percentage of tags that remain on grouper in the wild. Kenny Turbe, a local fisherman, was contracted to catch red hind grouper around St. Thomas to be used in the study. Sixty fish were collected and released into the coral reef exhibit and stingray pool at Coral World, after being measured and tagged. Crystal Buckley, a student intern at CMES and recent graduate of Antilles High School, works with Coral World staff to feed and monitor the fish daily. Grouper are notoriously gregari- ous and, once they are accustomed to feeding schedules, will come out into the open to feed, The Caribbean Writer, the international literary anthology published by University of the Virgin Islands, announces its annual prizes from its Volume 16 issue. The David Hough Literary Award, a $500 prize given to a Caribbean author, goes to Ian McDonald, a Trinidadian who has lived in Guyana since 1955. Mr. McDonald, currently the editor of Kyk-Over-Al, has had his work published by The Caribbean Writer as early as its Volume 2 issue. This award is donated by Sonja Hough, owner of Sonja’s Jewelry in Christiansted, St. Croix. The Marguerite-Cobb McKay Prize, a $200 prize to a Virgin Islands author, goes to Deverita Carty Sturdivant, a St. Thomas attorney currently serving as the Director for the division of THE CARIBBEAN WRITER ANNOUNCES THE CARIBBEAN WRITER ANNOUNCES THE CARIBBEAN WRITER ANNOUNCES THE CARIBBEAN WRITER ANNOUNCES THE CARIBBEAN WRITER ANNOUNCES ITS VOLUME 16 PRIZE WINNERS ITS VOLUME 16 PRIZE WINNERS ITS VOLUME 16 PRIZE WINNERS ITS VOLUME 16 PRIZE WINNERS ITS VOLUME 16 PRIZE WINNERS Continued from p. 1 RED HIND RED HIND RED HIND RED HIND RED HIND Banking and Insurance in the Virgin Islands. The other prize winners are Joanne Hyppolite (a Haitian writer and children’s book author currently living in Florida), who won the Canute A. Brodhurst Prize ($400) for fiction while Loretta Collins (a professor at University of Puerto Rico) received the Daily News Prize ($300) for poetry. The Charlotte and Isidor Paiewonsky Prize for first-time publication in The Caribbean Writer went to Nicolette Bethel, a Bahamian writer and anthropologist presently teaching at the College of the Bahamas. For more information on The Caribberan Writer, contact Professor Marvin E. Williams, Editor. Telephone (340) 692-4152, fax (340) 692-4026 or e-mail mwillia2@uvi.edu. Tagged red hind where they are easily seen. Buckley records the number of tagged fish she sees each day, and with the help of Coral World aquarists, searches the exhibits for tags that may have fallen off the fish. The natural settings in the coral reef and stingray exhibits at Coral World simulate the habitat the grouper normally lives in, and presents hazards to the tags that would also be present in the wild. Examples are rocks that the grouper could use to rub the tags off, and algae- eating fish that might chew up an algae- encrusted tag. “We’re lucky to have the Coral World facility available to us,” says Nemeth. “It’s great to have the collaborative support of Coral World’s administration and staff on this project.” Nemeth plans to keep the fish for one year before they are released back into the wild. For more information, contact Dr. Nemeth at (340) 693-1381 or at rnemeth@uvi.edu. 3 SEPTEMBER 2003 SENATOR SPEAKS AT UVI SENATOR SPEAKS AT UVI SENATOR SPEAKS AT UVI SENATOR SPEAKS AT UVI SENATOR SPEAKS AT UVI Focusing on the theme of the April 22-23, 2003, Agri- culture Forum, “Prospects for Sus- tainable Agriculture in the Virgin Is- lands,” Senator Luther Renee de- scribed agriculture as the “sector to provide the most links to the other sectors and thereby enhance economic growth and devel- opment.” Thus, the agricultural sector plays a “pivotal” role, as it fulfils its potential for “sustainable economic development.” Renee acknowledged the role agriculture could play in establishing a link between “tourism and the manufacturing industry”; however, the relationship has not been forged, to the detriment of the farmers and the Virgin Islands. He did suggest, however, that “we should aim at creating a sector that is competitive, sustainable, and efficient.” Renee emphasized that “The farmer is the industry,” and every effort should be made to support the farmer. “Farmers must be provided with the needed equipment, know-how and training” through improved “production technology to reduce labor cost and improve efficiency in farm operations.” Because the agricultural sector is demand driven, the Department of Agriculture and the University of the Virgin Islands, its main supporter, needs to engage in vigorous training, especially for fishermen who need assistance in safety practices and proper fish handling techniques if they are to conserve “the marine resources” and regard fishing as a “business venture,” he said. Senator Luther Reneee spoke to Virgin Islands farmers in April The University of the Virgin Islands has been awarded $1.1 million to increase faculty biomedical research. The Support of Continu- ous Research Excellence (SCORE) grant will support two research projects at UVI during the next four years. “The SCORE grant is one of several activities at the University designed to provide research opportunities for faculty, stimulate interest in science-oriented careers for stu- dents and provide practical benefits for the community,” said SCORE Program Director Dr. Henry Smith. The research projects will focus on marine biomedical research. One project, a study of the effects of temperature on a neural circuit in spiny lobsters, will be led by Dr. Richard Hall. Dr. Richard Nemeth will lead the other project, a study to assess grouper breeding population structure and reproductive potential. The SCORE program aims to increase the number of biomedical researchers at UVI and foster productivity, resulting in increased presentations of original research, along with submissions and publications of research articles. SCORE is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS). It was created to assist biomedical research at minority serving insti- tutions to develop competitive research pro- grams and to increase the number of under- represented minorities professionally engaged in biomedical research. UVI RECEIVES $1.1 MILLION SCORE UVI RECEIVES $1.1 MILLION SCORE UVI RECEIVES $1.1 MILLION SCORE UVI RECEIVES $1.1 MILLION SCORE UVI RECEIVES $1.1 MILLION SCORE GRANT TO INCREASE RESEARCH GRANT TO INCREASE RESEARCH GRANT TO INCREASE RESEARCH GRANT TO INCREASE RESEARCH GRANT TO INCREASE RESEARCH Dr. Alex Randall, the “Good News Guy” from WSTA radio, and a member of the Research and Public Service Advisory Council, made a presentation to RPS on June 18, 2003, entitled “How to Get the Message Out.” Dr. Randall’s presentation was intended to help staff in making the public more aware of activities of RPS and in turn make RPS services more responsive to community needs. Topics covered in the presentation included recognizing what is news, getting the news media’s attention, determining what should be included in press releases and also how to target presentations for various audiences. Dr. Randall’s presentation was timely, informative and well-received. Already tips offered by Dr. Randall have are being used by RPS staff. IMPROVING OUR PITCH! IMPROVING OUR PITCH! IMPROVING OUR PITCH! IMPROVING OUR PITCH! IMPROVING OUR PITCH! Dr. Alex Randall spoke to RPS staff in June & R PS HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP:// :// :// :// ://RPS RPS RPS RPS RPS.UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU/ “THE SCORE GRANT IS THE SCORE GRANT IS THE SCORE GRANT IS THE SCORE GRANT IS THE SCORE GRANT IS ONE OF SEVERAL ONE OF SEVERAL ONE OF SEVERAL ONE OF SEVERAL ONE OF SEVERAL ACTIVITIES AT THE ACTIVITIES AT THE ACTIVITIES AT THE ACTIVITIES AT THE ACTIVITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY DESIGNED UNIVERSITY DESIGNED UNIVERSITY DESIGNED UNIVERSITY DESIGNED UNIVERSITY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE TO PROVIDE TO PROVIDE TO PROVIDE TO PROVIDE RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY, STIMULATE FACULTY, STIMULATE FACULTY, STIMULATE FACULTY, STIMULATE FACULTY, STIMULATE INTEREST IN SCIENCE- INTEREST IN SCIENCE- INTEREST IN SCIENCE- INTEREST IN SCIENCE- INTEREST IN SCIENCE- ORIENTED CAREERS ORIENTED CAREERS ORIENTED CAREERS ORIENTED CAREERS ORIENTED CAREERS FOR STUDENTS AND FOR STUDENTS AND FOR STUDENTS AND FOR STUDENTS AND FOR STUDENTS AND PROVIDE PRACTICAL PROVIDE PRACTICAL PROVIDE PRACTICAL PROVIDE PRACTICAL PROVIDE PRACTICAL BENEFITS FOR THE BENEFITS FOR THE BENEFITS FOR THE BENEFITS FOR THE BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY,” SAID COMMUNITY,” SAID COMMUNITY,” SAID COMMUNITY,” SAID COMMUNITY,” SAID SCORE PROGRAM SCORE PROGRAM SCORE PROGRAM SCORE PROGRAM SCORE PROGRAM DIRECTOR DR. HENRY DIRECTOR DR. HENRY DIRECTOR DR. HENRY DIRECTOR DR. HENRY DIRECTOR DR. HENRY SMITH. SMITH. SMITH. SMITH. SMITH.” 4 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER Althea Adolphin, a student who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from the Division of Science and Mathematics was given the opportunity to work with Water Resources this summer, June 16 to July 18, 2003. This student assisted in information dissemi- nation and outreach efforts by providing sessions on water education to the Wesleyan Summer Camp. The 20 campers instructed were from grades levels four to seven. The Water Resource Research Institute’s very own Water Education Module for Virgin Islands Schools was used as the source of information for the lessons. This water module was developed to provide students with an opportunity to gain an awareness of and respect for water resources in the Virgin Islands. As noted in the introduction of the Water Module, the information used to compile it was taken from research of over ten years done by Water Resources Research Institute on cistern water systems with concentration on water quality manage- ment, water conservation, and weather phenomena in the Virgin Islands. The aspects of water education WRRI SUMMER WATER EDUCATION WRRI SUMMER WATER EDUCATION WRRI SUMMER WATER EDUCATION WRRI SUMMER WATER EDUCATION WRRI SUMMER WATER EDUCATION SESSIONS OFFERED TO CAMPERS SESSIONS OFFERED TO CAMPERS SESSIONS OFFERED TO CAMPERS SESSIONS OFFERED TO CAMPERS SESSIONS OFFERED TO CAMPERS UVI student Althea Adolphin teaches water education to Wesleyan summer campers taught to the campers focused on the water module’s three units on Water Conservation, Water Quality and Weather. These three units were summarized and adapted into three thirty-minute lessons. Each lesson was enhanced by a field trip to relevant places to the topic covered. The lesson on Water Conservation was made more meaningful by a visit to the E. D. Plumbing Supply House where a display and explanation of various water saving devices was made available to the students. The second lesson on weather was complimented by a trip toWRRI’s Meteorological Observatory where the campers were able to see the instru- ments used to measure weather phe- nomena. The third lesson focused on water quality and was covered by a visit to the Caribbean Safe Water Lab where the students were enlightened on various techniques of water analysis such as membrane filtration. The group was also taken to the water plant of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Author- ity where they were given a tour of this facility that produces fresh drinking water from sea water through a process called desalination, and supplies it as potable water to V. I. the community. The students were very receptive and found the field trips interesting, informa- tive and meaningful. The following observations were made: -When asked about the source of their water supply in their homes, their responses were grocery stores and cisterns. No one mentioned potable water. It was further discovered that they did not know if their homes had potable water connections. -They admitted that they never gave thought to water conservation but were now willing to become more responsible and take part in conserving water. -Students had a hard time accepting the desalination process. The campers were encouraged to take what they learned and share it with others. In conclusion, they were given a pledge sheet to complete entitled “My Water Pledge” from the Texas National Association of Conservation Districts’ booklet. For more information, contact Henry H. Smith, Ph.D., Director, (340)693-1062 tel, (340) 693-1065 fax, email: hsmith@uvi.edu. 5 SEPTEMBER 2003 The University of the Virgin Islands’ Cooperative Extension Service’s CES Family and Consumer Sciences Program-Foods and Nutrition and Clothing Construction classes presented certificates to 59 participants at the closing ceremonies on Wednesday, June 11, 2003, and on Thursday, June 12, 2003. Ms. Miriam Greene and Ms. Rosalind Browne, Extension Assistants, organized and delivered the two popular classes. Ms. Lois Sanders, Assistant Director of the 4-H/Family and Consumer Sciences Program gave the welcome, while Mr. Kwame Garcia, CES’ State Director, and Mr. Kofi Boateng, Associate Director, made closing remarks. Twenty-one participants in the Clothing Construction classes enrolled as beginners, intermediates, and advanced. Many were continuing students who had begun at the first stage earlier in the year. The participants modeled their completed tailor-finished outfits to the applause of their relatives and friends. The 18 Foods and Nutrition participants of the morning program, and the 20 of the evening program, learned the importance of nutrition to healthy living. Using the food pyramid as their guide, they baked desserts, created vegetarian dishes, and learned to use healthy substitutes for traditional and new recipes. In light of the national concern placed on eating habits and their relationship to obesity and other health problems, emphasis was placed on healthy eating habits. Samples of nutritious dishes were served to the delight of the relatives and friends. To sign up for a class, or to get more information, please contact Ms. Greene at (340) 692-4083 or e-mail mgreene@uvi.edu; or Ms. Sanders at (340) 692-4096 or e-mail lsander@uvi.edu. CES CONDUCTS CES CONDUCTS CES CONDUCTS CES CONDUCTS CES CONDUCTS CLOTHING CLOTHING CLOTHING CLOTHING CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION AND FOOD AND AND FOOD AND AND FOOD AND AND FOOD AND AND FOOD AND NUTRITION CLASSES NUTRITION CLASSES NUTRITION CLASSES NUTRITION CLASSES NUTRITION CLASSES UVI PRESENTS UVI PRESENTS UVI PRESENTS UVI PRESENTS UVI PRESENTS V.I. SENATE V.I. SENATE V.I. SENATE V.I. SENATE V.I. SENATE RESULTS OF AIR RESULTS OF AIR RESULTS OF AIR RESULTS OF AIR RESULTS OF AIR SERVICES STUDY SERVICES STUDY SERVICES STUDY SERVICES STUDY SERVICES STUDY University of the Virgin Islands President Dr. LaVerne Ragster presents the final report of a study of the territory’s air services to V.I. Senate President David Jones University of the Virgin Islands President Dr. LaVerne Ragster presented the final report of a study of the territory’s air services - the USVI Air Services Marketing and Development Report - to V.I. Senate President David Jones on July 8, 2003. The study, commissioned by the Virgin Islands 24th Legislature, was produced by UVI in conjunction with the internationally known consulting firm of Edwards and Kelcey Inc., from Washington, D.C. In her presentation, Dr. Ragster pointed out that the final report stressed the need for more aggressive marketing of the territory as a tourist destination. She also noted that, in order to be successful, such an effort would require a high degree of collaboration among various departments of government and the private sector. Sen. Jones said the report would provide important guidance and empirical data for V.I. policy makers. Extensive public presentations of the air services study’s draft report were conducted by UVI and the Edwards and Kelcey team in late May on St. Thomas and St. Croix. & R PS HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP:// :// :// :// ://RPS RPS RPS RPS RPS.UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU/ 6 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER AES AQUACULTURE PROGRAM AES AQUACULTURE PROGRAM AES AQUACULTURE PROGRAM AES AQUACULTURE PROGRAM AES AQUACULTURE PROGRAM ACHIEVES RECORD ENROLLMENT IN ACHIEVES RECORD ENROLLMENT IN ACHIEVES RECORD ENROLLMENT IN ACHIEVES RECORD ENROLLMENT IN ACHIEVES RECORD ENROLLMENT IN AQUAPONICS SHORT COURSE AQUAPONICS SHORT COURSE AQUAPONICS SHORT COURSE AQUAPONICS SHORT COURSE AQUAPONICS SHORT COURSE full day sailing trip to Buck Island. The students received a certificate of completion, a class picture and a t-shirt with an original design featuring the concept of fish and plants grown together in a recirculating system. Students generally learn about the short course through the Aquaculture Program's web page (http://rps.uvi.edu/AES/ Aquaculture/UVIShortCourse.html). This year's course at- tracted a fish farmer from Australian, a student from Japan, an entrepreneur from Hong Kong and a researcher from Guam. Other foreign participants came from Mexico, Jamaica, St. Lucia and the British Virgin Islands. U.S. mainland participants came from 11 states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Closer to home were two participants from Puerto Rico and three from St. Croix. The Aquaculture Program has trained 108 students from 22 countries, 24 states and three territories for the past five years. Several of these students are applying the knowledge obtained at UVI to develop educational systems, which serve as the basis of high school science curricula. Other short course graduates are building commercial operations or assisting farmers to adopt this new technology in their role as extension agents. Through these endeavors, the impact of UVI on the future of food production is greatly magnified and will continue to expand. For more information, contact James Rakocy, Ph.D., Director/Professor of Aquaculture, (340) 692-4020 tel, (340) 692-4035 fax, e-mail jrakocy@uvi.edu. The AES Aquaculture Program recently completed its Fifth Annual Aquaponics and Tilapia Aquaculture Short Course, which was held June 22-28 on the St. Croix Campus. Course attendance reached a record of 33 students, an increase of nine students over the previous year’s high of 24. Several late applicants had to be turned away because enrollment capacity was exceeded. The 7-day course addressed the principles and practice of tilapia culture in aquaponic systems and greenwater tanks. Although these unique production systems have been developed for conditions in the Virgin Islands, they can be applied in many areas of the world, including cold climates where the UVI aquaponic system has been used to grow tilapia and crops in environmental-controlled greenhouses. The course consisted of the normal mix of classroom instruction and hands-on fieldwork. The students were given an overview of tilapia production around the world and a history of the development of the UVI aquaponic system. Course topics included: greenwater and aquaponic system design, construction methods, fish biology, production management, water quality control and monitoring, business plan preparation and marketing. In the field, students were exposed to all the tasks involved in operating a tilapia farm such as fish breeding, stocking, feeding, sampling, harvesting and processing. UVI’s fully operational aquaponic systems gave students exposure to all aspects of plant production. The course culminated with a fish fry luncheon at the research facility, a banquet at Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort and a The 5th Annual Aquaponics and Tilapia Aquaculture Short Course was held on St. Croix in late June 2003. Thirty-three students attended from foreign countries around the world, the U.S.A., the Caribbean Region and three from St. Croix 7 SEPTEMBER 2003 UVI-AES HOSTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UVI-AES HOSTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UVI-AES HOSTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UVI-AES HOSTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UVI-AES HOSTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS From left: French students Emilie Cramet, Sebastian Perry and Lucie Dromer This summer AES served as host to three students from France. Emilie Cramet and Lucie Dromer are sophomores majoring in food processing innovation at Quimper’s Institut Universitaire Professionannalise (IUP), Universite de Bretane Occidentale. As part of their degree in food processing, the university requires students to obtain work experience abroad for a minimum of four weeks at any company, research center or university worldwide to, among other things, improve their English. The students are responsible for all expenses related to the internship program including travel, room and board expenses and insurance. There is no cost to UVI. The third intern is Sebastien Perry from the Institut Superieur d’Agriculture de Beauvais, France. He is in his second year of a five-year program that will end with a Master of Agriculture diploma. He is currently studying biochemistry (animal and human metabolism), physiology, genetics, statistics, accounting and economics. Emilie and Lucie mainly worked in the AES Vegetable Crops Program. Sebastien concentrated in Aquaculture. The internship program at UVI/AES provided the students with an opportunity to learn the various aspects of tropical agriculture in the small island environment of the Caribbean. Particular topics included growing vegetables, herbs and medicinal plants in agroforestry systems; aquaponics-integrating vegetable production with aquaculture system; forage production and pasture management; hair sheep production and manage- ment; papaya and plantain production; and growing ornamental plants - flowers and shrubs. They also had the opportunity to visit local farms where AES is conducting on-farm research projects. The fact that AES was able to attract three interns from foreign countries emphasizes the international reputation of UVI-AES in agricultural sciences research and training. & R PS HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP:// :// :// :// ://RPS RPS RPS RPS RPS.UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU/ SBDC PASSES U.S. SBA’S FINANCIAL EXAMINATION SBDC PASSES U.S. SBA’S FINANCIAL EXAMINATION SBDC PASSES U.S. SBA’S FINANCIAL EXAMINATION SBDC PASSES U.S. SBA’S FINANCIAL EXAMINATION SBDC PASSES U.S. SBA’S FINANCIAL EXAMINATION The SBDC is pleased to announce that it successfully passed its recent biannual financial examination by its partner and main sponsor, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). As part of the national standards and criterion set forth by the SBA, all SBDCs within the national network are examined every two years to ensure financial compliance with the mandates set forth under the SBA’s program guidelines. SBDC received praises from SBA Examiner Mr. Reginald Teamer, who commended the organization for its very strong and effective management and financial controls. Mr. Teamer met with UVI President LaVerne E. Ragster; Provost, Dr. Gwen Marie- Moolenaar; Vice Provost, Dr. Henry H. Smith; Mrs. Peggy Smith, Assistant Controller, and Mr. Carl Christiansen, SBA’s Project Officer (VI) during his on-site examination. “THE INTERNSHIP THE INTERNSHIP THE INTERNSHIP THE INTERNSHIP THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AT UVI/AES PROGRAM AT UVI/AES PROGRAM AT UVI/AES PROGRAM AT UVI/AES PROGRAM AT UVI/AES PROVIDED THE PROVIDED THE PROVIDED THE PROVIDED THE PROVIDED THE FRENCH STUDENTS FRENCH STUDENTS FRENCH STUDENTS FRENCH STUDENTS FRENCH STUDENTS WITH AN WITH AN WITH AN WITH AN WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPPORTUNITY TO OPPORTUNITY TO OPPORTUNITY TO OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THE VARIOUS LEARN THE VARIOUS LEARN THE VARIOUS LEARN THE VARIOUS LEARN THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF TROPICAL ASPECTS OF TROPICAL ASPECTS OF TROPICAL ASPECTS OF TROPICAL ASPECTS OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE IN THE AGRICULTURE IN THE AGRICULTURE IN THE AGRICULTURE IN THE AGRICULTURE IN THE SMALL ISLAND SMALL ISLAND SMALL ISLAND SMALL ISLAND SMALL ISLAND ENVIRONMENT OF ENVIRONMENT OF ENVIRONMENT OF ENVIRONMENT OF ENVIRONMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN. THE CARIBBEAN. THE CARIBBEAN. THE CARIBBEAN. THE CARIBBEAN.” 8 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER AES SCIENTIST PUBLISHES SIX INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION AES SCIENTIST PUBLISHES SIX INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION AES SCIENTIST PUBLISHES SIX INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION AES SCIENTIST PUBLISHES SIX INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION AES SCIENTIST PUBLISHES SIX INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION GUIDES FOR ASIAN INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES GUIDES FOR ASIAN INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES GUIDES FOR ASIAN INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES GUIDES FOR ASIAN INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES GUIDES FOR ASIAN INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES Earlier this year, Dr. Manuel Palada, Research Professor and Vegetable Spe- cialist at the Agricultural Experiment Station, spent one month as visiting scien- tist at the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) in southern Taiwan where he completed writing a series of production guides for selected veg- etables indigenous to Asia. These guides are being used as references by interna- tional cooperators and farm- ers in South and Southeast Asia in growing these spe- cialty vegetables. These production guides, as pictured, are for amaranth, Amaranthus sp. (AVRDC Pub# 03-552); basella, Basella alba (AVRDC Pub# 03-553); bitter gourd, Momordica charantia (AVRDC Pub# 03-547); jute mallow or bush okra, Corchorus olitorius (AVRDC Pub# 03-546); kangkong, Ipomoea aquatica (AVRDC Pub# 03-554); and moringa, Moringa oleifera (AVRDC Pub#03-545). Dr. Palada started work- ing on this project when he was on sabbatical at AVRDC in 2000-2001. He conducted field experiments evaluating and studying the growth performance of these veg- etables in the humid tropics. He returned to AVRDC last February to complete the publication of these produc- tion guides. During his brief stay, he revisited some of the projects he established on indigenous vegetables. One of these, is the moringa tree (see photo). This tree is very popular in Asia where people use the leaves and green pods as vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals. It has also some medicinal value and is being used in alley cropping agroforestry project at AES. The production guides can be accessed and down- loaded on a pdf file from the AVRDC website at www.avrdc.org. Go to publi- cations and click indigenous vegetables. For more infor- mation please contact Dr. M. C. Palada at (340) 692-4086 or e:mail: mpalada@uvi.edu. CES FARMER COMPUTER CES FARMER COMPUTER CES FARMER COMPUTER CES FARMER COMPUTER CES FARMER COMPUTER SHORT COURSE A SUCCESS SHORT COURSE A SUCCESS SHORT COURSE A SUCCESS SHORT COURSE A SUCCESS SHORT COURSE A SUCCESS On June 18, 2003, ten farmers and two supporting children received certificates at the closing ceremony of the University of the Virgin Islands’ Cooperative Exten- sion Service’s Farmer Com- puter Training and Record- Keeping short course. That was the first of three such courses which are planned for the year. The presenters, Mr. Randall Macedon and Mr. Marthious Clavier, conducted the Short Course from Febru- ary 24 to June 16, 2003. The course was designed to in- crease participants’ knowl- Participants received certificates at the closing ceremony of the IUVI-CES Farmer Computer Training and Record-Keeping short course edge and usage of computers to enhance their work. The farmers first learned how to use Microsoft Window 2000’s functions such as drag and drop, right click, left click, boot up and shut down. They then progressed to word processing, using Microsoft Word 2002. They were intro- duced to the world wide web where they conducted on-line searches and set up e-mail accounts. Finally, they learned record keeping, using the Farm Files software. Pre-evaluative and post- evaluative questionnaires showed that there was over- whelming improvement in the farmers’ reported use of the computer after the short course. The farmers commended the “very knowledgeable” present- ers in their positive comments where they said they have progressed from “illiteracy to literacy.” Now that they have been exposed to the wonders of the technology, the farmers would like CES to conduct other short courses on the following topics: crop production, green house management, grafting and irrigation; animated farm- ing systems; research websites on crop, insect and livestock data; and accounting and using the computer. To get further informa- tion, please contact Mr. Clavier at (340) 692-4090 or e-mail mclavie@uvi.edu or Mr. Clinton George, Assistant Director of Agriculture and Natural Re- sources at (340) 692-4071 or e-mail cgeorge@uvi.edu. & R PS HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP:// :// :// :// ://RPS RPS RPS RPS RPS.UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU/ 9 SEPTEMBER 2003 SBDC BRIEFS SBDC BRIEFS SBDC BRIEFS SBDC BRIEFS SBDC BRIEFS SBDC AND VI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SBDC AND VI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SBDC AND VI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SBDC AND VI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SBDC AND VI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SPONSOR YOUTH CAREER TRAINING SPONSOR YOUTH CAREER TRAINING SPONSOR YOUTH CAREER TRAINING SPONSOR YOUTH CAREER TRAINING SPONSOR YOUTH CAREER TRAINING In June 2003, the University of the Virgin Islands’ Small Business Development Center (SBDC) participated in an Entrepreneurial Enrichment Program sponsored by the VI Department of Labor/Division of Training. The initiative, entitled Partial Employment Technique (PET), is part of a major effort to train eligible Virgin Islanders between the ages of 15-18 for careers and jobs within our labor market that provide life and vocational skills that will ensure a successful future. Through SBDC’s Youth Outreach Program, the Center was able to assist the VI Department of Labor by making a presentation on “Entrepreneurship” that incorporated real life aspects on operating a small business. This St. Croix-based initiative bodes well for the University’s strategic efforts to educate the youth on the principles of entrepreneurship and build stronger relationships with the Department of Labor and many other community-based partners. SBDC COLLABORATES ON FINANCIAL SBDC COLLABORATES ON FINANCIAL SBDC COLLABORATES ON FINANCIAL SBDC COLLABORATES ON FINANCIAL SBDC COLLABORATES ON FINANCIAL TRAINING WORKSHOP TRAINING WORKSHOP TRAINING WORKSHOP TRAINING WORKSHOP TRAINING WORKSHOP During last quarter, the SBDC and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), along with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) held a Train-the-Trainer workshop on FDIC’s “Money Smart.” The “Money Smart” curriculum was designed to help break the cycle of poverty by providing individuals (particularly those of low and moderate income) with the basic tools to make informed choices concerning personal financial matters. The participants were given the tools necessary to train individuals in the community using 10 instructional financial training modules, covering the basics of banking, the concept of credit, checking accounts, personal budgets, the importance of saving money, banking consumer rights, credit reports, credit cards, consumer loans and the process of getting home- ownership financing. The 30 participants represented all aspects of the community, including federal and local government agencies, church organizations and other community groups. This successful program was led primarily by Ms. Valerie Williams and Mr. Robert Francis, FDIC Community Affairs Officers, and Ms. Sachie Tanaka, Community Affairs Specialist. SBDC, INTEGRAL TO VI DEPARTMENT OF SBDC, INTEGRAL TO VI DEPARTMENT OF SBDC, INTEGRAL TO VI DEPARTMENT OF SBDC, INTEGRAL TO VI DEPARTMENT OF SBDC, INTEGRAL TO VI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM LABOR’S RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM LABOR’S RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM LABOR’S RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM LABOR’S RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM Recently, the UVI-SBDC was invited to be a member of the VI Department of Labor’s Workforce Investment System, “Rapid Response Team.” The “Rapid Response Team” was established in accordance with the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, consisting of mandated partners from various government departments and agencies, to assist employees who become unemployed due to recession in work, mass lay-off, plant closure or natural disaster. Members of the team include: Department of Labor’s Job Service Division; Unemployment Insurance; Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Housing Parks & Recreation; Veteran Affairs; VI Housing Finance Authority; and the UVI-Small Business Development Center. Each department and agency was asked to meet with businesses facing lay-offs and closures and educate their employees/workers about vital services available to dislocated workers (i.e. emergency housing, unemployment insurance, welfare and entrepreneurial assistance). SBDC is integral in helping those persons with options for starting their own businesses. This initiative addresses such needs across the territory and SBDC welcomes the ongoing opportunity to assist any and all affected persons in all districts. SBDC PARTNERS TO FOSTER ENTRE- SBDC PARTNERS TO FOSTER ENTRE- SBDC PARTNERS TO FOSTER ENTRE- SBDC PARTNERS TO FOSTER ENTRE- SBDC PARTNERS TO FOSTER ENTRE- PRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN YOUTHS PRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN YOUTHS PRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN YOUTHS PRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN YOUTHS PRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN YOUTHS The SBDC has been asked to partner with the Virgin Islands Resource Conservation & Development Council, a non-profit group made up of volunteer members of the Fire Department, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), The Water and Power Authority (WAPA), and other agencies. The Council’s goals and objectives are to enhance community leadership and encourage diverse economic development through teaching decision-making skills to youth and the establishment of businesses that market local products. The program is working with the Woodson Junior High School woodworking students and the St. Croix Central High School Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America, to produce and sell property plot signs to community residents. The signs are required under law, but, more importantly, they can help save time and lives, by assisting the police and firemen trying to locate homes during emergencies. SBDC AND INTERNATIONAL NET- SBDC AND INTERNATIONAL NET- SBDC AND INTERNATIONAL NET- SBDC AND INTERNATIONAL NET- SBDC AND INTERNATIONAL NET- WORKING ORGANIZATION PLAN FOR WORKING ORGANIZATION PLAN FOR WORKING ORGANIZATION PLAN FOR WORKING ORGANIZATION PLAN FOR WORKING ORGANIZATION PLAN FOR AN AFFILIATE IN THE TERRITORY AN AFFILIATE IN THE TERRITORY AN AFFILIATE IN THE TERRITORY AN AFFILIATE IN THE TERRITORY AN AFFILIATE IN THE TERRITORY The SBDC recently took major steps toward linking the territory’s business community to an organization with a world-wide network, the International Council for Small Businesses (ICSB), a nonprofit group that deals with small businesses and entrepreneurs. Through the efforts of Provost, Dr. Gwen Marie-Moolenaar, and SBDC State Director, Warren T. Bush, SBDC invited Dr. Jaime Luis Santiago Canet, President of the Puerto Rico and Caribbean Affiliate of the ICSB, to St. Thomas. Dr. Santiago explained the inner workings of the ICSB at an SBDC-sponsored gathering from its Nisky Center offices to about a dozen leaders representing the University, public and private sectors alike. ICSB seeks to advance entrepreneurship and small business internationally by sharing knowledge, technology and experience. The organization specifically seeks members from the three sectors that are key to economic development: business, government and academia. The University’s SBDC most likely would be the sponsoring organization for a local chapter of the ICSB. Members will have access to world conferences, affiliate conferences, journals, bulletins, global networking opportunities, an international exchange service and other resources. For more information on ICSB, please call the Center at 776- 3206 or 692-5270 or e-mail wbush@uvi.edu. The SBDC has been asked to become a part of the team in helping the students set up the “business” including the business plan, budgeting, marketing, and operations. The goal of this program is to become an ongoing youth business enterprise that will become sustainable by itself through revenue generation while watching the youth grow to new parts of the business and gain insight into their own future abilities of entrepreneurship. 10 10 10 10 10 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER EVALUATING SEDIMENTATION EVALUATING SEDIMENTATION EVALUATING SEDIMENTATION EVALUATING SEDIMENTATION EVALUATING SEDIMENTATION ON ST. CROIX REEFS ON ST. CROIX REEFS ON ST. CROIX REEFS ON ST. CROIX REEFS ON ST. CROIX REEFS Human activities, such as fishing, anchoring, and upland development, could negatively impact our coral reefs. However, many feel that the single most destructive influence is the excessive influx of sediment from upland development. During construction, vegetation is removed and soil is exposed. Rain picks up and carries the soil into the marine environment, decreasing the amount of light available to corals, thereby slowing photosynthesis. Sedi- ment falling on coral can smother corals and reduce larval settlement. When sediment is deposited on a coral, a considerable amount of energy is used to remove it, energy that the coral could have used for growth and reproduction. This stresses the coral, making it more susceptible to diseases and bleaching, and decreases its ability to recover after natural disturbances. Although sediment deposition rates are an important parameter for coastal managers, little Sera Harold, Research Analyst for the St. Croix VIMAS office, collecting sediment trap on Long Reef, St. Croix data exists on sedimentation rates in VI waters, especially around St. Croix. This year, the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES) is working to fill this gap by collecting sedimenta- tion data at several St. Croix coral monitoring sites. Through a grant from DPNR, Division of Environmental Protection, CMES has recently reported the first set of sedimentation data. Preliminary results show that sedimentation rates at the five St. Croix coral sites are lower than those found at the St. Thomas sites as presented by Dr. Richard Nemeth at the 2000 Non Point Source Conference. Data also suggest that the winter months have higher sedimenta- tion rates than spring and summer. Data generated in this study could help establish baseline data for a crucial water quality parameter, leading to new standards to protect our marine water quality. If you have any questions on this project, contact Marcia Taylor at (340) 692-4046 or mtaylor@uvi.edu. CMES: CMES: CMES: CMES: CMES: & R PS HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP HTTP:// :// :// :// ://RPS RPS RPS RPS RPS.UVI UVI UVI UVI UVI.EDU EDU EDU EDU EDU/ 11 1111 1111 SEPTEMBER 2003 UVI AGRICULTURAL UVI AGRICULTURAL UVI AGRICULTURAL UVI AGRICULTURAL UVI AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION EXPERIMENT STATION EXPERIMENT STATION EXPERIMENT STATION EXPERIMENT STATION GENERATES NEW FACT SHEETS GENERATES NEW FACT SHEETS GENERATES NEW FACT SHEETS GENERATES NEW FACT SHEETS GENERATES NEW FACT SHEETS The Agricultural Experiment Station recently published four fact sheets with the following titles: 1) Characteristics of U.S. Virgin Islands Agriculture in the 1990s; 2) Production Versus Consump- tion of Selected Agricultural Commodi- ties, U.S. Virgin Islands, 1997; 3) Farming for Profit: An Overview of the Basic Tools; and 4) Determining the Sex of Papaya Plants for Successful Management of Backyard and Com- mercial Production. The first three fact sheets were written by Dr. Gerard D’Souza, Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics, West Virginia University. Dr. D’Souza was a Visiting Professor and Agricultural Economist who spent his sabbatical at UVI/AES during the fall semester of 2000. During his stay, he worked with AES scientists and professional staff in conducting economic analysis for all the data that AES accumulated over the years in agronomy, animal science, aquaculture, fruit and ornamental crops and vegetable crops. He developed budgets and prepared cost/benefits analysis for selected enterprises using AES data. The first two fact sheets describe the recent status of agriculture in the Virgin Islands. Most of the information is based on the recent agriculture census for Virgin Islands and in the fact sheet, Dr. D’Souza discusses the implications of this census to VI agriculture. The third fact sheet, Farming for Profit, covers topics on enterprise budgets, partial budgeting, financial statements, feasibility analysis and business plan. The fact sheet is designed to guide and help farmers improve their farm management skills. It is a basic tool for successful and profitable farming operation. The fact sheet provides a simple format for preparing an establish- ment and maintenance budget using hair sheep production as an example. These fact sheets were distributed to farmers during the Agriculture Forum held at UVI, St. Croix on April 22 and 23, 2003. The fourth fact sheet was prepared and authored by Dr. Thomas Zimmerman, Research Assis- tant Professor and Program Leader, Biotechnology and Agroforestry Unit. The fact sheet is the result of several years of experiments with papaya at AES. Dr. Zimmerman conducted several studies where he examined and investigated plant growth characteristics as well as reproduction of papaya plants. He developed a method of determin- ing the sex of papaya plants based on flower characters and growth habit. The fact sheet is a valuable tool for backyard home gardeners as well as farmers. Knowing the sex of papaya plants early during the initial growing stage will help farmers remove male plants that are unproductive. Fruit-bearing papaya plants are either female or bisexual (hermaphrodite). Production and publication of these fact sheets were made possible through the efforts and services of Dr. Manuel Palada, AES Publications Coordinator and Technical Editor; and Dr. Robin Sterns, Editor. For more information and copies of fact sheets please contact Dr. Manuel C. Palada, (340) 692- 4086 or e-mail: mpalada@uvi.edu. SBDC’S TRAINING CONTINUES TO THRIVE SBDC’S TRAINING CONTINUES TO THRIVE SBDC’S TRAINING CONTINUES TO THRIVE SBDC’S TRAINING CONTINUES TO THRIVE SBDC’S TRAINING CONTINUES TO THRIVE The UVI Small Business Development Center (SBDC) had major successes in its STT- and STX-based programming over the third quarter. Among the seminar topics covered in both districts included: Grant Writing, Time Management, Writing an Effective Business Plan, Quick Books, Estate Planning (Wills, Deeds, Trusts), Developing an Effective Resume, Security for Your Small Business (Fraud Prevention), Microsoft Powerpoint, and Human Resource Management. SBDC will continue to sponsor training to address the entrepreneurial and economic development potential of aspiring and existing business owners and their employees. For more information on these programs and upcoming events, please contact SBDC at 776-3206 (STT) or 692-5270 (STX). “DURING HIS STAY, DR. DURING HIS STAY, DR. DURING HIS STAY, DR. DURING HIS STAY, DR. DURING HIS STAY, DR. D’SOUZA WORKED D’SOUZA WORKED D’SOUZA WORKED D’SOUZA WORKED D’SOUZA WORKED WITH AES SCIENTISTS WITH AES SCIENTISTS WITH AES SCIENTISTS WITH AES SCIENTISTS WITH AES SCIENTISTS AND PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN STAFF IN STAFF IN STAFF IN STAFF IN CONDUCTING CONDUCTING CONDUCTING CONDUCTING CONDUCTING ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ECONOMIC ANALYSIS FOR ALL THE DATA FOR ALL THE DATA FOR ALL THE DATA FOR ALL THE DATA FOR ALL THE DATA THAT AES THAT AES THAT AES THAT AES THAT AES ACCUMULATED OVER ACCUMULATED OVER ACCUMULATED OVER ACCUMULATED OVER ACCUMULATED OVER THE YEARS IN THE YEARS IN THE YEARS IN THE YEARS IN THE YEARS IN AGRONOMY, ANIMAL AGRONOMY, ANIMAL AGRONOMY, ANIMAL AGRONOMY, ANIMAL AGRONOMY, ANIMAL SCIENCE, SCIENCE, SCIENCE, SCIENCE, SCIENCE, AQUACULTURE, FRUIT AQUACULTURE, FRUIT AQUACULTURE, FRUIT AQUACULTURE, FRUIT AQUACULTURE, FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL AND ORNAMENTAL AND ORNAMENTAL AND ORNAMENTAL AND ORNAMENTAL CROPS AND CROPS AND CROPS AND CROPS AND CROPS AND VEGETABLE CROPS. HE VEGETABLE CROPS. HE VEGETABLE CROPS. HE VEGETABLE CROPS. HE VEGETABLE CROPS. HE DEVELOPED BUDGETS DEVELOPED BUDGETS DEVELOPED BUDGETS DEVELOPED BUDGETS DEVELOPED BUDGETS AND PREPARED COST/ AND PREPARED COST/ AND PREPARED COST/ AND PREPARED COST/ AND PREPARED COST/ BENEFITS ANALYSIS BENEFITS ANALYSIS BENEFITS ANALYSIS BENEFITS ANALYSIS BENEFITS ANALYSIS FOR SELECTED FOR SELECTED FOR SELECTED FOR SELECTED FOR SELECTED ENTERPRISES USING ENTERPRISES USING ENTERPRISES USING ENTERPRISES USING ENTERPRISES USING AES DATA. AES DATA. AES DATA. AES DATA. AES DATA.” 12 12 12 12 12 RESEARCH & PUBLIC SERVICE NEWSLETTER *for more information on these events, contact the sponsoring department. & R PS & 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 OCTOBER OCTOBER OCTOBER OCTOBER OCTOBER 1-12 1-12 1-12 1-12 1-12 COASTWEEKS CELEBRATION/CMES* COASTWEEKS CELEBRATION/CMES* COASTWEEKS CELEBRATION/CMES* COASTWEEKS CELEBRATION/CMES* COASTWEEKS CELEBRATION/CMES* 3 HANDLING LABOR RELATIONS/SBDC HANDLING LABOR RELATIONS/SBDC HANDLING LABOR RELATIONS/SBDC HANDLING LABOR RELATIONS/SBDC HANDLING LABOR RELATIONS/SBDC 10 10 10 10 10 PERSONNEL LAW FOR MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS/SBDC PERSONNEL LAW FOR MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS/SBDC PERSONNEL LAW FOR MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS/SBDC PERSONNEL LAW FOR MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS/SBDC PERSONNEL LAW FOR MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS/SBDC 24 24 24 24 24 HOW TO HIRE & FIRE EMPLOYEES/SBDC HOW TO HIRE & FIRE EMPLOYEES/SBDC HOW TO HIRE & FIRE EMPLOYEES/SBDC HOW TO HIRE & FIRE EMPLOYEES/SBDC HOW TO HIRE & FIRE EMPLOYEES/SBDC 24 24 24 24 24 YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC 31 31 31 31 31 SEXUAL HARASSMENT: SERIOUS BUSINESS & ZERO TOLERANCE/SBDC SEXUAL HARASSMENT: SERIOUS BUSINESS & ZERO TOLERANCE/SBDC SEXUAL HARASSMENT: SERIOUS BUSINESS & ZERO TOLERANCE/SBDC SEXUAL HARASSMENT: SERIOUS BUSINESS & ZERO TOLERANCE/SBDC SEXUAL HARASSMENT: SERIOUS BUSINESS & ZERO TOLERANCE/SBDC NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 10-14 10-14 10-14 10-14 10-14 GULF & CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE 56TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE/CMES GULF & CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE 56TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE/CMES GULF & CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE 56TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE/CMES GULF & CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE 56TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE/CMES GULF & CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE 56TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE/CMES 14 14 14 14 14 OVERCOMING STRESS AT WORK/SBDC OVERCOMING STRESS AT WORK/SBDC OVERCOMING STRESS AT WORK/SBDC OVERCOMING STRESS AT WORK/SBDC OVERCOMING STRESS AT WORK/SBDC 14 14 14 14 14 YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC 17 17 17 17 17 CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: LICENSING/ZONING/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: LICENSING/ZONING/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: LICENSING/ZONING/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: LICENSING/ZONING/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: LICENSING/ZONING/SBDC 18 18 18 18 18 WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC WNET ROUNDTABLE/SBDC 24 24 24 24 24 MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES: MAXIMIZING PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE/SBDC MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES: MAXIMIZING PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE/SBDC MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES: MAXIMIZING PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE/SBDC MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES: MAXIMIZING PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE/SBDC MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES: MAXIMIZING PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE/SBDC DECEMBER DECEMBER DECEMBER DECEMBER DECEMBER 4 CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS: BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE/SBDC 5 THE ABC’S OF ACCOUNTING/SBDC THE ABC’S OF ACCOUNTING/SBDC THE ABC’S OF ACCOUNTING/SBDC THE ABC’S OF ACCOUNTING/SBDC THE ABC’S OF ACCOUNTING/SBDC 12 12 12 12 12 CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT: QUICKBOOKS PRO/SBDC CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT: QUICKBOOKS PRO/SBDC CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT: QUICKBOOKS PRO/SBDC CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT: QUICKBOOKS PRO/SBDC CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT: QUICKBOOKS PRO/SBDC 10 10 10 10 10 CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS/SBDC CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS/SBDC 12 12 12 12 12 YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC YOUTH OUTREACH/SBDC 15 15 15 15 15 INTRODUCTION TO QUICKBOOKS/SBDC INTRODUCTION TO QUICKBOOKS/SBDC INTRODUCTION TO QUICKBOOKS/SBDC INTRODUCTION TO QUICKBOOKS/SBDC INTRODUCTION TO QUICKBOOKS/SBDC 17 17 17 17 17 INTERMEDIATE QUICKBOOKS/SBDC INTERMEDIATE QUICKBOOKS/SBDC INTERMEDIATE QUICKBOOKS/SBDC INTERMEDIATE QUICKBOOKS/SBDC INTERMEDIATE QUICKBOOKS/SBDC 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 OCTOBER CTOBER CTOBER CTOBER CTOBER – D – D – D – D – DECEMBER ECEMBER ECEMBER ECEMBER ECEMBER 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003