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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeCommunityAgricultureAgriculture Department Updates Its Response to COVID-19

Agriculture Department Updates Its Response to COVID-19

Agriculture Commissioner Positive T.A. Nelson criticized abusive farming practices during Tuesday’s Finance Committee hearing. (V.I. Legislature Photo)
Agriculture Commissioner Positive T.A. Nelson (V.I. Legislature photo)

Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the territory, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (DOA) will be curtailing hours, effective immediately, to limit exposure and promote the safety and well-being of its employees, customers and the community-at-large.

DOA will modify business hours effective Monday, July 13, to be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will provide critical support of the community’s effort to increase food production. Agriculture encourages its customers and farmers to limit visits to DOA offices unless purchasing seedlings, feed or other agricultural supplies on those days.

For documents requiring a signature, please deliver them to the office on Monday, Wednesday or Friday; the documents will be returned to the person on the following open business day.

Otherwise, most required forms or documents are available on the department’s website at https://doa.vi.gov or they can be emailed directly to the person.

For more information, email the Department of Agriculture at info.doa@doa.vi.gov.

For inquiries outside of these hours, call 778-0997 on St. Croix, 774-5182 on St. Thomas or 776-6274 on St. John. Visitors to DOA offices will be required to maintain the social distancing policy of six feet at all times.

Veterinary services are essential and on-going. Contact Dr. Bethany Bradford at 642-7320 or email her directly at bethany.bradford@vi.gov.

We will continue to sanitize and maintain markets that have been officially reopened by DOA. Reminder: masks are mandatory for vendors and patrons.

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