Eight Virgin Islands students completed an intensive training program this summer at Alcorn State University in Loran, Miss., the V.I. Department of Agriculture reported Wednesday.
The program, which was conducted June 30 to July 27, included classroom, field and laboratory activities. At the request of the Department of Agriculture, the faculty of the Department of Agriculture at Alcorn State University developed and implemented a program to expose V.I. students to career and professional opportunities in the wide-ranging field of agricultural science.
Topics covered included horticultural science, agribusiness, plant pathology, forestry management, biofuel technology, dairy science, organic crop production, agricultural economics, biotechnology and livestock production.
Students were introduced to the Future Farmers of America organization, a national program to nurture and prepare students for leadership roles and careers in agriculture.
During the four-week experience, students visited a farmer’s cooperative, a vegetable processing facility, an integrated model farm and research operations in aquaculture, biofuel production and plant tissue culture, or micro propagation.
“The Alcorn experience was a great success and our students received an invaluable educational experience and a unique exposure to the world of agriculture and the science of food production,” said Agriculture Commissioner Louis E Petersen Jr.
“If we are to secure and protect the agricultural future of the Virgin Islands we must nurture a new generation of farmers and scientists,” Petersen said. “Based on comments received from the student participants we can look forward to a new group of young adults in the local agricultural sector. We will continue to encourage and work closely with our students as they prepare for further studies and careers in the dynamic field of agriculture.”
Petersen thanked all the partners that contributed to the success the program, including the Office of the Governor, the Department of Education, the local Future Farmers of America chapter and the school teachers who served as chaperones.