Mental Health Matters: Healing Ourselves, Healing The World
May 30, 2025
“Whatever good things we build, end up building us” – Jim Rohn
June 3, 2025 was not just an ordinary day. It was a day filled with hope and realized dreams. On that bright, sunny day in Saint Croix, many people gathered together to witness something incredible. As the cool Caribbean breeze gently blew, folks from the University of the Virgin Islands, the local government, and representatives from FreshMinistries watched on with rapt attention- today was a day years in the making.
The official ceremony had begun and FreshMinistries was handing over the keys to Island Fresh, a six greenhouse, fully off-the-grid facility that produces fresh food and fish year-round. Control of the aquaponics facility was being transferred to the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), fulfilling a long awaited dream.
Speakers such as Governor Albert Bryan and UVI President Dr. Sofiya George took to the podium, their words rich with hope and determination. This facility was built not just to produce food, but to cultivate opportunity, education, and resilience in the Virgin Islands. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to build something lasting and meaningful.
Island Fresh isn’t just a handful of structures; it’s a symbol of sustainable development and self-reliance. The aquaponics system integrates fish farming with produce cultivation, using natural cycles to nurture growth without reliance on traditional electricity grids. This innovation aligns perfectly with the island’s need for food security and environmental stewardship. It represents a step toward a future where local agriculture can thrive, reducing a dependence on imports and strengthening the economy.
But beyond the technology and infrastructure, this project has built something far more profound- community spirit and hope. It is a place where students at the UVI will learn cutting-edge agribusiness skills, where local farmers and entrepreneurs can gain knowledge, and where the Virgin Islands can lead by example in sustainable farming practices.
As the ceremony closed, there was a palpable sense of gratitude and optimism. The words of Jim Rohn echoed through the hearts of all present: “Whatever good things we build, end up building us.” This facility has built more than fresh food- it has built stronger bonds, brighter futures, and an empowered community ready to cultivate a better tomorrow.
This handover marks the beginning of a new chapter- a living legacy of collaboration, innovation, and hope. And as the sun set over Saint Croix that day, the seeds planted by FreshMinistries and nurtured by the UVI, promised to grow into something truly extraordinary, reminding us all that the good we build today shapes who we become tomorrow.
