The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), in collaboration with Island Green Living and the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, proudly launches an educational program entitled ‘Seeds of Security.’ This pioneering initiative is set to ignite a movement of sustainability, food security and environmental stewardship across the territory, marking a significant step forward in the USVI Agricultural Plan’s commitment to integrating agricultural education into Pre-K-12 schools.
Under this innovative program, students and educators will be empowered to take meaningful action to create a more sustainable and resilient future for the Virgin Islands. Every public school across both the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts has been selected to pilot this transformative program, positioning them as leaders in food sovereignty and sustainability initiatives.
VIDE State Sustainability Director Cydney Meadows emphasized the program’s potential impact, “As we embark on this journey together, we are calling on visionary educators and leaders to form a ‘Sustainable Council’ within your respective schools. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of creating lasting change. We invite you to nominate three passionate individuals from your team who are ready to make an impact through sustainability efforts that will ripple far beyond the classroom. The Seeds of Security program will choose 16 educators to participate in the first year, and a waitlist will be created for engagement with future schools.”
Members of each school’s Sustainable Council will have access to funding opportunities, professional development and exclusive training, empowering them to lead their school’s sustainability efforts and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. Seeds of Security will put schools at the center of driving climate resilience and sustainable agricultural practices across the territory.
This initiative is more than a program it is a movement. Each school will become a hub for food security, climate resilience and sustainability, sowing the seeds for a future that reflects our shared values of environmental stewardship. The Virgin Islands Department of Education is excited to embark on this groundbreaking initiative and invites educators, students and community leaders to join in sowing the seeds of a sustainable future.
For additional information about the Seeds of Security educational program, contact VIDE State Sustainability Director Cydney Meadows at cydney.meadows@vide.vi.
