Island Fresh
U.S. Virgin Islands

Aquaponics Facilities on St. Croix: Empowering the U.S.V.I. Through Sustainable Agribusiness

FreshMinistries is proud to have developed and operated six state-of-the-art aquaponics greenhouses on St. Croix, which officially opened in 2021. These facilities are designed to address food insecurity, unemployment, and economic challenges in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This transformative project includes three 6,000-square-foot greenhouses and three 3,000-square-foot greenhouses, creating one of the largest aquaponics initiatives in the region.

Mission and Impact

Designed to provide practical agribusiness training, these facilities equip residents with the skills needed to start businesses or work in the growing agribusiness sector. They address food insecurity by sustainably producing culturally relevant food while using a fraction of the natural resources required for traditional farming—making them especially valuable in a region with limited resources and vulnerable to climate change impacts. By producing fresh, healthy food in a Territory that imports over 97% of its food, the project fosters food security and economic opportunity. Produce grown at the facility is distributed to local schools through a partnership with the Department of Education, as well as to hospitals, markets, and restaurants throughout the U.S.V.I., directly contributing to healthier communities and a stronger local economy.

Partnerships

This project was made possible through a collaborative effort with the Government of the Virgin Islands, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). In addition, the facility works closely with St. Croix Farmers In Action to establish an Agribusiness Center that supports locally owned small businesses.

A New Chapter: Partnering with the University of the Virgin Islands

In Spring 2025, FreshMinistries will hand over the aquaponics facilities to the University of the Virgin Islands to enhance their newly developed four-year degree in aquaponics and to support their world-class aquaponics research and development department. This collaboration will integrate seamlessly with UVI’s aquaculture department and extension services, ensuring the facilities continue to serve as a hub for innovation, education, and sustainability.

Vision

This groundbreaking projecthas made a lasting impact since its opening in 2021. FreshMinistries remains committed to creating sustainable solutions that empower communities, and this handover to UVI ensures the aquaponics facilities will continue to drive innovation and transformation in the Territory.