ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on Tuesday joined the Rev. Dr. Robert Vernon Lee, Executive Director of Fresh Ministries, and Dr. Safiya George, President of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), for a landmark event: the formal gifting of Fresh Ministries’ aquaponics farm facilities to UVI at the historic Bethlehem Sugar Factory restoration site.
The Island Fresh Aquaponics project, launched by Fresh Ministries, has become a successful model of sustainable agriculture in St. Croix. Governor Bryan praised the initiative as a “visionary” project—one that not only promotes local food production, but also serves as a hub for education, economic opportunity, and healthy living in the Virgin Islands.
“My good friend, Dr. Lee, and the Fresh Ministries team — thank you,” Governor Bryan said. “The vision was everything. A place where you could come and learn about aquaponics. A place to grow, to build cooperatives, and launch your own farm. A place that could truly change how we eat and live in the Virgin Islands.”
Dr. Robert Lee, a longtime advocate of agricultural innovation and community development, emphasized his ongoing commitment to the Farmers in Action organization and to supporting future initiatives at the Bethlehem site. Governor Bryan thanked Dr. Lee for his “persistence, commitment, and friendship,” noting that his belief in the vision at Bethlehem was crucial to this milestone.
The University of the Virgin Islands, a land-grant institution internationally recognized for its aquaponics research and training since 1979, will now manage the facility. Dr. Usman Adamu, Dean and Director of the School of Agriculture at UVI, outlined how the university is rebuilding its aquaponics infrastructure after the damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The new programs under development include bachelor’s, associate, and certificate offerings in aquaponics, aquaculture, and horticulture.
“We are deeply grateful to Dr. George for embracing this opportunity and ensuring that Island Fresh continues as a vital resource for education and innovation,” said Governor Bryan. “UVI is the perfect partner for this next chapter.”
Governor Bryan spoke passionately about the broader vision for the site, imagining it as an educational destination, a business incubator, and a catalyst for healthier lifestyles. “If we can change the way we eat, we can change everything — our children’s performance in school, our productivity, our health outcomes,” he said. “Let’s make our diet more fish-centric, more green, more local — and build an industry that supports our people and attracts tourism.”
He called on the community to rally behind the initiative, especially the youth. “Not everyone will be a farmer, but everyone should understand the value of agriculture and the power it has to transform our future.”
Governor Bryan concluded with a message of hope and determination: “If this works, it works for the entire Virgin Islands. Thank you, and congratulations to everyone who made this day possible.”
# # #