The St. Thomas/St John Agriculture and Food Fair Committee is seeking nominations from the public for three top awards to be presented at this year's fair. The awards will go to the Crop Farmer of the Year, the Livestock Farmer of the Year and the Home Gardener of the Year.
The home gardener category is new this year. The award is designed to honor an individual who is successfully growing fruit and vegetables around his or her home. Size does not matter. Nominees do not have to have large yards to qualify for this competition. Individuals with flourishing plants grown in pots on a balcony will be given as much consideration as somebody with a yard full of plants.
Nominations for all three awards can be made by contacting members of the fair committee at the following numbers:
- The VI Department of Agriculture - 774-5182
- UVI's Cooperative Extension Service - 693-1080
- Richard Pluke at Fintrac - 776 7600 (or by email to: richard@fintrac.com)
Nominations should be submitted by the end of October to allow the committee time to choose the winners. Judges are expected to visit the farms and home gardens of finalists during the first two weeks of November. Details on the judging criteria can be gained by contacting the numbers given above.
The 2008 edition of the St. Thomas/St. John Agriculture and Food Fair will be held on the grounds of UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts on Nov. 22 and 23.