COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
AND AGRICULTURE 
 
04/11/2023-REPORTED OUT TO THE FLOOR 
03/08/2023-REPORTED OUT TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIARY 
 
 
BILL NO. 
35-0049 
 
Thirty-Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands 
 
 
 
March 2, 2023 
 
 
 
An Act amending title 7, chapter 1, of the Virgin Islands Code by adding subchapter VIII, 
establishing a Local Food and Farm Council in accordance with mandate five of the Virgin 
Islands Agricultural Plan 
 
 
 
PROPOSED BY: 
 
 
Senators Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., 
Javan E. James and Diane T. Capehart  
Co-sponsor: Samuel Carriόn 
 
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 
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SECTION 1.  Title 7, chapter 1 of the Virgin Islands Code is amended by adding a new 
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subchapter VIII that reads as follows:  
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“Subchapter VIII. Virgin Islands Agriculture Plan Act  
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§ 29a.  Local Food and Farm Council  
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(a) 
A Local Food and Farm Council is established within the University of the Virgin 
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Islands for budgetary purposes only. The Local Food and Farm Council is composed of 11 
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members, with each nongovernmental member serving a three-year term. A member may serve 
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until the member’s successor is appointed and qualified.  The Governor may remove any 
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member.   
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(b) 
The Local Food and Farm Council is composed of:  
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(1) 
The Commissioner of the V.I. Department of Agriculture, or designee. 
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(2) 
The President of the University of the Virgin Islands, or designee; 
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2 
 
(3) 
The Dean of the University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture, or 
1 
designee; 
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(4) 
The Executive Director of the V.I. Economic Development Authority, or 
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designee; 
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(5) 
The Commissioner of the V.I. Department of Education, or designee; 
5 
(6) 
The Commissioner of the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural 
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Resources, or designee; 
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(7) 
Five community members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and 
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consent of the Legislature, including three licensed Virgin Islands farmers of livestock 
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or crops—one from St. Croix, one from St. Thomas and one from St. John, and two food 
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industry representatives—one from each district, being either a licensed wholesaler, 
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grocer or restauranter. 
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(8) 
Each member of the Council shall receive $100.00 for each day or part 
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thereof spent in the attendance of official meetings, plus actual travel expenses when 
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the member must travel from the island of his residence to attend an official meeting.  
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(c) 
The Local Food and Farm Council, among other responsibilities prescribed in the 
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Virgin Islands Agricultural Plan, shall:   
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(1) 
Make necessary amendments to the Virgin Islands Agriculture Plan; 
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(2) 
Make recommendations for changes to existing law or policy and respond to 
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any requests by the Legislature for policy or funding recommendations as legislated; 
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(3) 
Advise the Local Food and Farm Coordinator;  
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(4) 
Collect and evaluate the production and marketing data of critical local food 
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systems;   
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(5) 
Participate in grant decision-making processes, in an advisory capacity;  
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3 
 
(6) 
Collaborate with local and federal governmental agencies, non-profit 
1 
organizations and business to research, explore, and enhance food security opportunities 
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available to the Virgin Islands; 
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(7) 
Conduct community outreach and engagement surveys, townhalls and other 
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meetings;  
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(8) 
Promulgate guidelines for the use of the Local Farmers Food Fund; 
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(9) 
Promulgate regulations in furtherance of the implementation and 
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development of the Agricultural Plan;  
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(10) Regularly monitor the Agricultural Plan, conduct an annual assessment of its 
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effectiveness, and deliver a report to the Legislature and the Governor; and  
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(11) Perform any other tasks assigned the Governor or prescribed by law to carry 
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out its objectives of sustaining and supporting the growth of agricultural productivity 
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over time.”   
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BILL SUMMARY 
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This bill amends title 7, chapter 1 of the Virgin Islands Code by creating subchapter VIII 
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and establishing a Local Food and Farm Council in accordance with the Agricultural Plan 
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submitted on December 29, 2021.   
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BR23-0032/February 27, 2023/HLF 
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