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Government House announced Monday that Governor Albert Bryan — before traveling to Washington, D.C. for a series of meetings and to attend the National Governors Association Winter Meeting — signed into law a bill from the 35th Legislature’s first legislative session.
Bill No. 35-0003 appropriates $2.2 million for funds for the adoption of various portions of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan, submitted by the Agricultural Plan Task Force on December 29, 2021, as the official Agricultural Plan for the territory.
Mr. Bryan also acknowledged Resolution 1901 (Bill No. 35-0002) adopting the rules of the 35th Legislature.
The agricultural plan, which is part of the Bryan administration's Vision 2040 and took nine months to develop, seeks to boost local agriculture products from 3 percent to 35 percent. It also anticipates an outcome of having more individuals engaged in home gardening and community growth by 10 percent per year, while at the same time reducing the number of agricultural inputs by 2 percent each year. Agricultural inputs are defined as products permitted for use in organic farming, and include feedstuffs, fertilizers and permitted plant protection products as well as cleaning agents and additives used in food production.
As required by Act 8404, the Agricultural Plan should contain policy and funding recommendations to support and expand the local food system, increase locally grown food production, and provide an avenue of food security in the territory.
“This agricultural plan will be a living working document that could be amended as necessary, and I am certain that as the years and times go by, we will do what is necessary," said former Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory when delivering remarks virtually during the plan's unveiling in May 2022. "...The outcome will be to increase food security for the people of the Virgin Islands."
A news release from the task force informing and inviting the public to the unveiling said that one of the most critical issues facing the territory is ensuring a sustainable food supply.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Vision 2040, unveiled by Governor Bryan and Economic Development Authority CEO Wayne Biggs in October 2020, seeks to facilitate economic growth, job creation, and wealth generation.
