Nov. 17, 2007 — "Are you a farmer?" the seven-year-old asked.
"Well, no, I'm a reporter," the reporter responded.
"Oh," the young fellow said. "Well, I need a farmer."
About 30 kids had come to the right place Saturday, romping the grounds of the University of the Virgin Islands Reichhold Center for the Arts on a scavenger hunt at the 25th St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair.
"It's a way for them to see the fair and learn something, without just going from one thing to another," said Tammy Smalls of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. The scavenger hunt is part of Project DST, a science and math group the sorority sponsors for youngsters from seven to 11 years.
"The kids have to find one farmer, two animals, one a pet, and another who is part of the food chain, a locally grown fruit, and a locally grown vegetable," Smalls said. "They check them off with the names of who and what they find." They apparently don't get points for finding reporters.
"We meet every Saturday at BCB [Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High]," Smalls said. She then ran off to rein in her group, who by this time were chasing after a real farmer.
The event brings the community together in a spirit no other occasion can. It virtually pulses with the energy of good fellowship, bringing to life this year's theme, "Make Agriculture Our Haven in 2007."
Under a gentle sun and a light breeze Saturday, folks poured into the rolling, green grounds, herding wide-eyed children, greeting old pals, sampling everything from kallaloo to carrot cake, pates, tofu, pies, tarts, maubi, vegetable drinks, stew pork, roast chicken, fry chicken, candied ginger, sweetbreads, whelks, popcorn johnnycake and jellies.
A couple of docile Shetland ponies were busy hauling tots in carts around the multitude of booths selling everything from wire jewelry to mango chutney, beads, decorated calabash bowls, paintings, soaps, mocko jumbie dolls in bright gingham colors and "raras," a sort of yoyo made out of mango seeds, which vendor Ical said used to be a popular plaything years ago.
This is the first year for the newly organized St. Thomas-St. John Woodworkers Association, a collaborative of just eight members. "We would love to have more," said William Johnson, who just started his craft four years ago. He uses local woods in amazing ways.
"You would never know that this is a tamarind root," he said, and proved it with a lovely vase in grades of whites and beige. "Look at this," he said, holding up a bowl from a mango tree. "Some of the most beautiful wood in the world grows right here."
Johnson is a long-time music teacher at Julius Sprauve school on St. John.
"I was making planters out of regular wood," he said, "and one day Avelino Samuel stopped by and gave me a hint about something I was doing. I went with him to his workshop and saw all the woods and the lathes and I fell in love. I'm addicted now. It becomes a part of you." Johnson said to find out more about the association, call 776-7612.
There's more animals than you can shake a lamb's tail at, including a weird looking white turkey sporting what looked like a peacock's fanned tail, round and bouffant, and a brilliant red and purple wattle.
"What is that?" a small child asked his mother, who simply shook her head in puzzlement.
The petting zoo was a biggie, with kids coming inside to pet rabbits, an extremely flexible ferret, a guinea pig or a little goat. Britany Leonard was clutching a black and white rabbit for all her life.
Her father, farmer Charles Leonard, was surprised to learn later where the six-year-old had been.
"I gave her a little money and told her not to go too far," he said. "I didn't know she was going to get in a picture. I know she gets tired of sitting while I sell things all day."
Leonard, a frequent winner of fair awards, said Britany is starting off winning things, too. "She is on the first grade honor roll at Ulla Muller [school]," he said.
Toward the bottom of the hill stand white tents housing displays of the UVI cooperative extension service, which hosts the event. What you couldn't learn about growing and caring for plants there probably isn't worth knowing. Saturday afternoon a honey-making demonstration was scheduled.
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources had an abundance of displays, none more interesting than the Historic Preservation's office's look at old St. Thomas. Several booklets traced the history of town and of Hassel Island.
And a little of local history came to life. "My father, James Harrigan, worked on Hassel Island," said Eleanor Hodge, looking over the displays. "He was a guard at the tower on Signal Hill. We grew up playing there and in town. Our home was where the Fort Christian parking lot is now."
The V.I. Energy Office displayed solar panels, including one leaning against the counter, powering a desk fan. "It's flexible," said Don Buchanan, office spokesman, "and it's efficient. It can create energy even not in direct sunlight, not like the panels."
He said Tutu Mall is interested in using this type of panel. The cost works out to about seven cents a watt, Buchanan said.
The back of the hill was abloom with plants, vegetables, hibiscus, fruits and fruit trees. Farmers from the North Side and Bordeaux sported their wares amongst crowds standing in awe at the display of local bounty.
One farmer was perhaps a little happier than the others. Lucien "Jambie" Samuel stood behind his produce stand proudly showing a giant squash. He is the 2007 Crop Farmer of the Year.
Samuel is part of the We Grow Food cooperative along with his teacher, Benita Martin. The last Sunday of each month the Bordeaux farmer holds a market where cornbread and pumpkin soup are highlights.
"I make the best pumpkin soup there is," he grins.
Gov. John P. deJongh Jr., UVI President LaVerne E. Ragster, UVI Cooperative Extension Service State Director Kwame Garcia Sr. and Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen Jr. honored Samuel as well as farmer Gary Pemberton as Livestock Farmer of the Year in an afternoon ceremony. Music was provided throughout the day by the BCB Burning Blazers, Ulla Muller Pan-a-tics, JDPP Jammerz, Encore Band and DJ Ubba.
The fair continues Sunday with judging in the afternoon, including a new category this year: "Ital" dishes. Admission is $2.
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