We saw the same photos you did — the ones showing green, bubbling water near Prosperity Farm. They troubled us too. Clean water is life here. It connects us all — from the hills to the sea. When our neighbors began asking questions and expressing frustration, we understood.
You had every right to be concerned.
We also know that Prosperity Farm has faced public criticism before. Some have questioned whether we truly care about this island or its people. We want to be clear — we do. This is our home too, and we take every concern seriously.
What Happened
The green water didn’t come from our distillery. We keep no animals, have a state-of-the-art septic system, and use NO manure-based fertilizers on our farm. The E. coli originated from a small radio tower property just uphill, where a horse has grazed for years. Over time, manure built up in standing rainwater. When heavy rains arrived, that mix of water and waste flowed downhill, triggering what’s known as an algae bloom — the slimy, green water seen in the
photos. At first glance, it looked like chemical pollution. But it was actually a natural reaction between animal waste, heat, and still water — something that can occur anywhere animals live near flood-prone areas. It wasn’t pleasant, but it can be fixed.
Our Response
When the Department of Planning and Natural Resources contacted us, we immediately facilitated on-site access and invited a site walk. We then conducted a thorough on-site investigation, documented conditions, and shared our findings — including photos and notes — to ensure full transparency. We also offered to help remove the animal waste still covering our neighbor’s land — even though it isn’t ours — because it’s the right thing to do.
That offer still stands.
What We Learned
This incident revealed a broader issue: the Virgin Islands doesn’t yet have clear, easy-to-follow guidelines for small property owners or horse keepers on how to manage manure and runoff.
In other regions, such as Maryland and Michigan, simple, proven steps are promoted: composting manure, storing it properly, and maintaining vegetation buffers between animal areas and waterways. These are common-sense practices that work — and we believe the same approach can help here. Prosperity Farm is ready to collaborate with DPNR, the Department of Agriculture, and our neighbors to promote awareness, support cleanup, and encourage better land-management practices.
Our Commitment
At Prosperity Farm, we believe good business and good stewardship go hand in hand. From day one, we’ve aimed to build a farm distillery that honors St. Croix’s agricultural roots, supports local farmers, and protects the land and water we all depend on. So yes — we heard you.
We appreciate every person who spoke up. And we’re taking action — openly, responsibly, and together with our community. Our doors are always open. Come visit, ask questions, or share your ideas. We’re here to be part of this community, not apart from it. The color of the water may have startled us, but the clarity of action that follows can guide us forward — toward cleaner water, shared responsibility, and lasting prosperity for everyone.
