St. Croix, U.S.V.I.
Located on the former site of the Bethlehem Sugar Works Factory on Estate Bethlehem.
Launch date:Launched in Fall 2021
Size and scope of the project:
Six greenhouses total. This project includes three 6,000 square-foot greenhouses and three 3,000 square-foot greenhouses. The project currently has 12 employees and will eventually employ 20.
The aquaponics facilities in the U.S.V.I. were built to provide practical agribusiness training for a traditionally agrarian culture suffering from high unemployment and a lack of consistent access to quality food. This job training facility aims to provide residents with the tools needed to successfully start businesses and/or work within the agribusiness sector, all while producing healthy produce for a Territory that imports more than 97 percent of its food. In addition, the complex serves as the foundation for an Agribusiness Center that, in partnership with St. Croix Farmers In Action, will operate to establish and develop locally owned small businesses.
Produce grown at the facility is distributed to schools through our relationship with the Department of Education, hospitals, markets and restaurants throughout the Territory.
This project was funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
For general information about all FreshMinistries aquaponics programs, email Director of Aquaponics Bobby Lee.
Partners include:
The Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Croix Farmers In Action
Episcopal Diocese of the Virgin Islands
