The Virgin Island Farmers’ Cooperative, Inc. (VIFC) is a 521(a) farmers’ cooperative organization established on May 16, 2005 to assist farmers with production, marketing, group purchasing and to provide a voice for increasing agricultural production in the Territory. We are dedicated to the promotion and development of a viable Agricultural industry and for making an economic stimulus to help to improve the quality of life of all in the United States Virgin Islands. To accomplish our goals and objectives the VIFC will provide the needed technical assistance to its members in production, marketing, and in the pooling of farm produce to meet the local demand of meats, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
The Virgin Islands Farmers Cooperative has a total membership of 73. There are two categories of membership. Full membership with voting rights (reserved for those actively farming) and associate membership that is non-voting.
On September 2006, VIFC was awarded $172,950 by USDA Rural Development a Small Minority Producer Grant. The Small Minority Producer Grant was a technical assistance grant for the development of a feasibility study, marketing study, marketing and business plan. The grant also provided a farmers training components for the Co-op members, the greater agricultural community and the public.
The development of the Studies and Business Plan was for 1,010 acres of prime farmland on the island of St. Croix. The properties were 750 acres in estate Lebanon that was formerly Windsor Farm, The 200 acres at the La Reine forage field used by the now defunct Windsor Farm and 60 acres at # 9 Estate Grange.
The Grant has provided market analysis of both local and off-island markets to determine the market potential for local production and the best and most profitable mix of local agricultural products that will be produced to service those markets.
The goal of the Studies was to gather data needed to draft a successful three-year business plan for the agricultural redevelopment of 1010 acres of land and the launching of a successful and profitable farming operation by the Co-op and its members.
The Co-op has developed a comprehensive strategic plan to reverse the territory’s 42 years of agricultural production and 20 years of agricultural education in the territory and St. Croix in particular.
VIFC "Operation Breadbasket" plans are in three stages: Phase 1, a Farm and Farmers Market on 60 acres in crop production. Phase 2 the production of high quality hay for improving our livestock production in the territory and Phase 3 and agro-eco-tourism development upon the successful implementation of phase 1 and 2.
VIFC has 30% of 200 license farmers’ registered with the VI Department of Agriculture on St, Croix, who are crop and livestock producers. Operation Breadbasket’s goal will increase the territory’s agricultural production and maintain permanent agricultural employment on the island of St. Croix. The implementation of VIFC Strategic Plan will improve the quality of life of all in the United States Virgin Islands, by implementing phase one and two to increase crop, livestock and forage production in the territory.
VIFC is commitment toward the development of the Virgin Islands agricultural industry and producing sustainable locally grown food for the development and improvement of the islands food distribution system and food security. VIFC assistance to its members in the areas of production and marketing will improve and maintain the consistent quantity and quality needed to satisfy the demand, for locally grown produce and value added products in the Territory.
Mission
To assist our member farmers in the production and marketing of locally grown fresh produce, the pooling of our members produce (meat, fruit, vegetables, etc.), and to maintain the consistent quantity and quality needed to satisfy the demand for locally grown produce in the Territory.
Vision
To create conditions in the Virgin Islands where farmers practice sustainable agriculture and all residents have access to fresh locally grown produce and value-added products from a vibrant and profitable local agricultural industry.
VIFC Board of Directors
Mr. Dale K. K. Browne - President
Mrs. Yvette C. Browne - Vice President
Mrs. Zoraida Jacobs - Secretary
Ms. Florine Hay - Treasurer
Ms. Nakisha Joseph - Assistant Secretary
Mr. Canute Brodhurst - Assistant Treasurer
Mr. Ray Hamilton - Marketing Director
Ms. Rita Stinson - Fruit & Vegetable Director
Mr. John Victor - Livestock Director
Mr. Henry Knight - Trustee
Mr. Masai Henry - Trustee
Contact Us
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2370
Kingshill, VI 00851
Physical Address:
#54 Estate Castle Coakley
Christiansted, VI 00820
Email: vifarmers@vifarmerscoop.org
Telephone: 340-773-3276
Fax: 340-773-3276
