CHRISTIANSTED— Governor Albert Bryan on Sunday, announced former St. Croix Senator, Positive T.A. Nelson as his Commissioner Nominee to the Department of Agriculture.
Nelson, a longtime educator, and former seven-term senator for the district of St. Croix is the sponsor of the Agriculture in the Classroom Act and was instrumental in the passage of the Sustainable Agriculture Act. He is also the prime sponsor of the Virgin Islands Medicinal Cannabis Patient Care Act, which Governor Bryan signed into law Jan 19.
“I am excited to announce former Senator Positive Nelson as Commissioner Nominee to the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture. Former Senator Nelson, as a life long educator and longtime advocate for farmers, will bring a new approach to the Department,” Bryan said.
“I am certain his relentless spirit and passion for teaching, coupled with his advocacy and legislative history will cultivate a new generation of Farmers who will transform our Agriculture Industry to become a key driver of our territory’s economy,” Governor Bryan added.
As commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, former Senator Nelson will focus his key initiatives around developing the Virgin Islands’ Agricultural Industry and creating a ready market for local foods and value-added products.
“I will endeavor to build the Virgin Islands Agriculture Industry to a point where we recognize food production as a matter of national security, good health, and economic opportunity. I have a vision of an Agricultural Depot which will create a ready market, processing, storage, and wholesale/retail outlets. This, I believe, will incentivize growth, consistency, and availability of local produce, meats, and value-added products,” Commissioner Nominee Nelson said.
“I commit to bringing the VI Department of Agriculture up to the twenty-first century. A fresh source of food is equivalent to healthy living. I am, again, humbled but excited at being able to participate in this dawning of a new day,” Nelson added.
As Commissioner, Nelson intends to also focus on employee morale, food production, water restoration, market distribution and educating the next generation of farmers, as some of his immediate priorities.
The former Senator also said the would also focus on restoration of indigenous plants, and forestry.