UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

RII TRACK-1: RIDGE TO REEF PROCESSES AND INTERDEPENDENT DRIVERS OF SMALL ISLAND RESILIENCE

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PROGRAM

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: IMPLEMENTATION GRANT: NAVIGATING HOME -NAVIGATING HOME WILL SUPPORT RECENT ON- AND OFF-ISLAND GRADUATES WHO IDENTIFY AS BLACK, HISPANIC, PACIFIC ISLANDERS OR OTHER UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN THE GEOSCIENCES AND WHO ORIGINALLY HAIL FROM ONE OF THREE U.S. TERRITORY HUBS (GUAM, PUERTO RICO, AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS) BY PLACING THEM IN NEW, MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE JOB OPPORTUNITIES. NAVIGATING HOME IS DESIGNED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CREATION OF AN INCLUSIVE MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COMMUNITY THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF THESE ISLANDS. THE GOALS OF NAVIGATING HOME ARE TO: (1) BRING BACK, TRAIN, AND RETAIN ISLANDERS WHO HAVE BACHELOR?S OR MASTER?S DEGREES IN THE MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, AND WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF THEIR HOME ISLAND?S WORKFORCE; (2) STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ISLAND-BASED UNIVERSITIES AND THEIR LOCAL PARTNERS THROUGH JOINT DECISION-MAKING AND CO-DESIGN; (3) PROVIDE TRANSDISCIPLINARY TRAINING RELATED TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT; AND (4) TRANSFORM GEOSCIENCE CULTURE THROUGH THESE INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES AND PARTNERSHIPS, THAT WILL SERVE AS MODEL EXAMPLES WITHIN AND BEYOND THE ISLAND COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY ARE BASED. OVER FIVE YEARS, THE PROJECT WILL SUPPORT 68 FELLOWS AND 68 PROFESSIONALS FROM UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS IN TRANSDISCIPLINARY GEOSCIENCE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THIS PROJECT WILL BENEFIT FROM THE EARLY SUCCESSES OF THE NSF INCLUDES SEAS ISLANDS ALLIANCE, NSF EPSCOR INVESTMENTS, AND INTEGRATING THE NSF-FUNDED STEMAP PROGRAM INTO ISLAND-BASED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. IT WILL BROADEN PARTICIPATION IN STEM BY SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS FROM HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS WHO ARE ALSO FROM THE ISLAND REGIONS AND INCREASE DIVERSITY IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL STEM WORKFORCES, RESULTING IN GREATER CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION IN PROBLEM SOLVING. NAVIGATING HOME WILL TRANSFORM LOCAL GEOSCIENCE LEARNING ECOSYSTEMS AND SERVE AS A MODEL PROGRAM IN TRANSFORMING GEOSCIENCE CULTURE, STABILIZING STEM CAREER PATHWAYS, AND COMBATING ?BRAIN DRAIN? THAT AFFECTS MANY RURAL COMMUNITIES AND ESPECIALLY, U.S. TERRITORIES. PROJECT RESULTS WILL BE SHARED BROADLY WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND THROUGH NATIONAL CONFERENCES AND ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS. NAVIGATING HOME WILL NURTURE SUSTAINABLE AND LONG-TERM STEM LEARNING AND RESEARCH ECOSYSTEMS THAT BUILD ON THE IDEA OF LEARNING ECOSYSTEMS AS A BRAIDED RIVER, TO FOSTER ?INCLUSIVE, RESPONSIVE, AND MODERN CAREER DEVELOPMENT? (BACHELOR ET AL., 2021). THE PROJECT WILL LEVERAGE THE NSF INCLUDES SEAS ISLANDS ALLIANCE TO FOSTER WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ISLANDS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES AND LOCAL PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. INTER-INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS MAY HELP MITIGATE TRADITIONAL BARRIERS AND TRAINING SILOS WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING CURRICULAR MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STAGES, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE STUDENTS AT MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS THAT MAY LACK ACCESS TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS AND FACULTY (ALLEN-RAMDIAL & CAMPBELL 2014). BROKERING IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ANY LEARNING ECOSYSTEM (CHING, SANTO, HOADLEY, & PEPPLER, 2016; AKIVA, KEHOE, & SCHUNN, 2017; PENUEL, CLARK & BEVAN, 2016; ALLEN ET AL., 2019), AND WILL BE A KEY FEATURE OF THE WORK CONDUCTED BY HUB TEAMS (U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, GUAM) AS THEY COLLABORATE TO BEGIN TO TRANSFORM THE CULTURE OF GEOSCIENCE WORKFORCE IN THESE ISLAND COMMUNITIES TO REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THESE ISLAND COMMUNITIES. TRANSDISCIPLINARY TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (JOHN AND KAHN, 2018), AND TO STRENGTHEN THE IMPACT IDENTITIES OF FELLOWS, FACULTY AND PARTNERS (RISIEN & STORKSDIECK, 2018) AND THEIR ABILITY TO ENGAGE WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES DEEPLY AND EFFECTIVELY. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

NSF INCLUDES: SUPPORTING EMERGING AQUATIC SCIENTISTS (SEAS) ISLANDS ALLIANCE

GRANT PROGRAM

E-RISE RII: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS CENTER FOR AUTONOMOUS RESEARCH FOR A NEW ERA OF ECOLOGICAL MARINE SCIENCE AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT -THIS PROJECT WILL ESTABLISH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CENTER FOR AUTONOMOUS RESEARCH (VICAR) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. VICAR WILL BUILD RESEARCH CAPACITY IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (USVI) AS A LEADER IN AUTOMATED ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. THE PROJECT WILL BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORTING AUTOMATION IN ECOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL RESEARCH AND ACCELERATE RESEARCH, RESTORATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF CORAL REEF, MANGROVE, AND PELAGIC ECOSYSTEMS. THIS WORK WILL LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT A SUSTAINABLE STEM ECOSYSTEM ACROSS ALL EDUCATIONAL LEVELS IN THE USVI. RESEARCH WILL DEVELOP AUTONOMOUS METHODS USING UNDERWATER AND AERIAL ROBOTIC VEHICLES, 3D MODELING, AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO ADDRESS KEY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW MARINE ECOSYSTEMS RESPOND TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS. THE PROJECT WILL CREATE AN INTERDISCIPLINARY AND SKILLED LOCAL WORKFORCE THROUGH INVOLVEMENT OF 116 GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF VICAR METHODOLOGIES, ENGAGEMENT OF OVER 3,000 PUBLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LOCALLY FOCUSED STEM PROGRAMMING, AND CREATION OF A NEW UNIVERSITY COURSE ON ECOLOGICAL ROBOTICS AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. THIS RESEARCH WILL UNDERPIN THE STAGED DEVELOPMENT OF VICAR'S INTEGRATED UNDERSEA SURVEY (VICARIUS) PLATFORM, A CORE KNOWLEDGE BASE DIRECTED TOWARDS RESEARCH OF OCEAN AND MARITIME ECOSYSTEMS AND DESIGNED TO EVOLVE WITH EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES. VICAR WILL (1) ESTABLISH METHODS FOR AUTOMATED REEF SURVEYS USING AUVS, 3D PHOTOGRAMMETRY, AND AI-BASED IMAGE ANALYSIS WHILE TESTING HYPOTHESES ABOUT REEF NOVELTY, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTION, (2) EXPAND VICARIUS CAPABILITIES TO INTEGRATE WITH LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH, OFFERING A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ANALYZE AND FORECAST ECOSYSTEM STABILITY ACROSS UNPRECEDENTED SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL SCALES, AND (3) BROADEN APPLICABILITY BY EXPANDING SURVEY AND ANALYSIS METHODOLOGIES TO MANGROVE FORESTS AND PELAGIC ECOSYSTEMS. VICAR WILL ESTABLISH THE USVI AS A REGIONAL LEADER IN MARINE TECHNOLOGY WHILE CREATING NEW STEM CAREER PATHWAYS AND ADDRESSING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. VICAR WILL BROADEN STEM PARTICIPATION BY ENGAGING OVER 1000 PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, SUPPORTING INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR 116 UVI STUDENTS, AND PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS. THESE INVESTMENTS HAVE POTENTIAL TO SERVE AS A MODEL FOR OTHER SMALL ISLAND COMMUNITIES FACING SIMILAR CHALLENGES IN DEVELOPING RESILIENT ECONOMIES AND ECOSYSTEMS. THIS PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY THE EPSCOR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: EPSCOR RESEARCH INCUBATORS FOR STEM EXCELLENCE (E-RISE). E-RISE SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPACITY IN EPSCOR JURISDICTIONS THROUGH COLLABORATIVE, HYPOTHESIS-DRIVEN, OR PROBLEM-DRIVEN RESEARCH AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS IN SELECTED STEM FIELDS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

PURPOSE: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WILL BUILD HABITAT AND WORKFORCE INFRASTRUCTURE, FOCUSING ON INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR CORAL RESTORATION, MANGROVE RESTORATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION FOR WORKFORCE READINESS IN A MAJORITY HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY.

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PROGRAM (FUTURE ACT)

A MULTI-SCALE APPROACH TO PREDICTING INFECTIOUS MULTI-HOST DISEASE SPREAD IN MARINE BENTHIC COMMUNITIES

VIRGIN ISLANDS UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

FOR FY 25-26, THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION WILL CONTINUE ITS HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROJECTS FOCUSSING ON LOCAL AGRICULTURAL CHALLENGES OF CONCERN BY STAKEHOLDERS THROUGH: ENHANCING PITAYA PRODUCTION IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; EVALUATING HEAT-TOLERANT FORAGES AND GRAZING IN THE TROPICAL AGROECOSYSTEM, PRODUCTIVITY AND RESILIENCE; VEGETABLE PERFORMANCE TRIALS IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; EVALUATING WEST INDIAN AVOCADO VARIETIES AND PRODUCTION IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; SUSTAINING SMALL-SCALE AQUAPONICS FOR NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; DEVELOPING LARGER HAIR SHEEP. THROUGH THESE RESEARCH PROJECTS, INNOVATIVE WAYS WILL BE DEVELOPED TO INCREASE PRODUCTION AND FOOD SECURITY. THE HATCH REGULAR CAPACITY FUNDS WILL ALSO PAY FOR PERSONNEL SALARIES.

FOR FY 24-25, THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION WILL CONTINUE ITS HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROJECTS IN: ENHANCING PITAYA PRODUCTION IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; EVALUATING ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN CATTLE WITH LIQUID SEMEN; ENHANCING TROPICAL AGROECOSYSTEM SERVICES, PRODUCTIVITY AND RESILIENCE THROUGH CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE; VEGETABLE PERFORMANCE TRIALS IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; EVALUATING AVOCADO VARIETIES AND PRODUCTION IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; SUSTAINING SMALL-SCALE AQUAPONICS FOR NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; DEVELOPING LARGER HAIR SHEEP. THE HATCH REGULAR CAPACITY FUNDS WILL ALSO PAY FOR PERSONNEL SALARIES.

PROGRAM ABSTRACT - FY 23 SMITH LEVER 4-H - POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND VOLUNTEERISM A REGULAR, STRUCTURED ORIENTATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR STAFF AND VOLUNTEER LEADERS IS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT VIBRANT, INNOVATIVE AND ENGAGING 4-H CLUBS, PROGRAMS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. STAFF COULD EXPLORE POTENTIAL NEW VOLUNTEER AUDIENCES, TO INCLUDE ADULT RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITIES NEEDING TO FULFIL THE COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO REMAIN A TENANT IN GOOD STANDING, AMERICORPS/VISTA, UVI STUDENTS, TEENS AND PARTNER AGENCIES. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER CES, AES AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, 4-H WILL CREATE SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON SMALL LIVESTOCK, DISTANCE LEARNING AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. A HEALTHY, WELL-NOURISHED POPULATION A HEALTHY, WELL-NOURISHED POPULATION PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE EDUCATION TO ALL U.S. VIRGIN ISLAND RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY RESIDENTS AT HIGH RISK, INCLUDING LOW-INCOME AUDIENCES. THE PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED THROUGH WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, AND DEMONSTRATIONS. THE PROGRAM WILL ADDRESS AND DEVELOP CULTURALLY SENSITIVE NUTRITION AND HEALTH EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS AND RESOURCES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS, STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC. THE FOCUS WILL BE TO EDUCATE LOW INCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN ABOUT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES IN ORDER TO HELP PREVENT NUTRITION RELATED DISEASES (DIABETES, HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA, HYPERTENSION, AND OBESITY) IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN. COMPUTER TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY THE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY TRAINING WILL INCREASE PARTICIPANTS' KNOWLEDGE AND USAGE OF RELEVANT TO INCLUDE INTRODUCTORY COMPUTER CLASSES ON MICROSOFT WINDOWS, MICROSOFT WORD, AND E-MAIL/INTERNET USAGE. DUE TO COVID-19, WORKSHOPS AND COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY, WHEN POSSIBLE. TRAINING VIDEOS WILL BE CREATED TO ALLOW DISTANCE LEARNING. WORKSHOPS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON VARIOUS VIDEOCONFERENCING PLATFORMS. FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION THE FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION AND EFNEP PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE FOOD HANDLING AND PREPARATION IN HOME KITCHENS; AS WELL AS EDUCATING LOW INCOME FAMILIES ABOUT BASIC NUTRITION AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE PRACTICES. EXTENSION EDUCATORS WILL WORK TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE CAUSES OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS AND MICROORGANISMS THAT MAY MAKE FOOD UNSAFE WHEN BASIC FOOD SAFETY TECHNIQUES ARE NOT FOLLOWED. THE PROGRAM WILL BE ADMINISTERED THROUGH WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, AND DEMONSTRATIONS. THE LOCATION WHERE THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED INCLUDES SCHOOLS, DAY-CARE CENTERS, CHURCHES, SENIOR CENTERS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND HEALTH CLINICS. MARKETABLE SKILLS FOR LIMITED RESOURCE RESIDENTS THE FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES STAFF WILL OFFER WORKSHOPS, SHORT COURSES AND ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND WORKFORCE PREPARATION. PROGRAMMING WILL FOCUS PRIMARILY ON SHORT COURSES THAT TEACH MARKETABLE SKILLS. USING VOLUNTEERS WOULD ALLOW A VERY SMALL STAFF TO MAXIMIZE AND MULTIPLY RESOURCES WHILE REACHING A GREATER NUMBER OF INTERESTED CLIENTELE. PROVIDING INNOVATIVE, INTERACTIVE, NON-FORMAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE RESIDENTS IS EVEN MORE CRITICAL DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE TWO RECENT HURRICANES AND COVID-19, WHICH EXACERBATED THE EXISTING, LONG-TERM CIRCUMSTANCES. PROTECTING THE VI NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CRITICALLY LINKED VI TERRESTRIAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS NEED PROTECTION. EXTENSION ACTIVITIES ENCOURAGE THE ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE NATURAL RESOURCE AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO PRESERVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES BASE, ASSIST POST-HURRICANE RECOVERY, RESTORE POST-HURRICANE LANDSCAPES, CONSERVE CULTURAL AND NATURAL HISTORY RESOURCES IN RECREATIONAL AREAS, AND STIMULATE/GROW A VITAL TOURISM/ECOTOURISM INDUSTRY. EXTENSION EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROMOTE LEARNING AND INFORM DECISION-MAKING BY CITIZENS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS, RESOURCE MANAGERS, FARMERS, DEVELOPERS, EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE A MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF TERRESTRIAL PLANT RESOURCES, ETHNOBOTANY, WATERSHED PROCESSES IMPACTED BY HUMANS, HOW TO MINIMIZE NONPOINT SOURCE (NPS) POLLUTION OF GROUND OR SURFACE WATERS, LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES, HEALTHY HOME STRATEGIES AND CLIMATE-RELATED RESEARCH FINDINGS TO ENABLE ADAPTATION TO PREDICTED CLIMATE CHANGE CONDITIONS. SMALL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION MANY PRODUCERS OPERATE THEIR ENTERPRISES ON A PART-TIME BASIS. THIS APPROACH OFTEN LEADS TO IMPROPER OR INADEQUATE: HOUSING FACILITIES; PASTURE USAGE; ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION; AND RECORDKEEPING; WHICH RESULTS IN INFERTILITY, POOR GROWTH, PARASITISM AND A GENERALLY UNPRODUCTIVE AND UNPROFITABLE ENTERPRISE. MOST OF THE MEATS AND EGGS SOLD AND CONSUMED IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE IMPORTED AT A LOW COST MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR LOCAL PRODUCERS TO COMPETE BUT THE PUBLIC IS INTERESTED IN BUYING MORE LOCAL PRODUCTS FOR BETTER TASTE AND FRESHNESS. MARKETING EDUCATION PROGRAMS WILL BE CONDUCTED WITH A FOCUS ON QUALITY STANDARDS, AS WELL EDUCATING CONSUMERS ON THE AVAILABILITY AND BENEFITS OF PURCHASING AND CONSUMING LOCALLY PRODUCED ANIMALS AND DERIVED PRODUCTS. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE THE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROGRAM WILL EDUCATE AND ENCOURAGE FARMERS TO ADOPT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES THAT ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE, ECONOMICALLY VIABLE, AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL WELLBEING OF THE TERRITORY. THE LONG TERM SUCCESS OF LOCAL FARMS DEPENDS UPON EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS THAT WILL DISSEMINATE TO PRODUCERS RECOMMENDED RESEARCH-BASED INFORMATION ON (A) MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION PRACTICES, (B) FARM FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL PLANNING, ORGANIZING, MANAGING, AND RECORDKEEPING PRACTICES, (C) ENHANCING WATER RESOURCES, (D) ALTERNATIVE ENTERPRISES AND COMMODITIES, AND (E) VALUE-ADDED TECHNOLOGIES. THROUGH A COMBINATION OF WORKSHOPS, SHORTCOURSES, LECTURES, DEMONSTRATIONS, ETC., FARMERS WILL BE TRAINED AND ENCOURAGED TO ADOPT BEST MANAGEMENT, PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND MARKETING PRACTICES. TROPICAL HORTICULTURE TROPICAL HORTICULTURE - CES URBAN GARDENING PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION, EDUCATION, AND TECHNICAL ADVICE TO COMMERCIAL GROWERS, HOME GARDENERS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES, AND RESIDENTS ABOUT CARING FOR AND CULTIVATING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. URBAN FORESTRY BECAUSE OF LIMITED LAND SPACE ON EACH ISLAND, MANAGEMENT DECISIONS CONCERNING THE TERRITORY'S TREE POPULATIONS HAVE BECOME MORE DIFFICULT. LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO SEEK A BALANCE BETWEEN CHANGING ECONOMIC FORCES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND DEMOGRAPHICS. MANY OF THE MATERIALS ENTERING THE WASTE STREAM CAN BE REUSED/RECYCLED TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. RECENT CATEGORY 5 HURRICANES HAVE DEVASTATED THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, DESTROYING AND DAMAGING MANY TREES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY. OUR COMMUNITY'S ABILITY TO PREPARE AND RESPOND TO THESE DISASTERS WAS HAMPERED BY A LACK OF UTILIZING UP TO DATE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION. A TREE LAW WAS RECENTLY PASSED AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION SHOULD IMPROVE THE URBAN FOREST, AID IN OUR RECOVERY EFFORTS AND HELP TO RESTORE A MORE RESILIENT URBAN FOREST. THE URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAM WILL ASSIST PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES, POLICY MAKERS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE PRESERVATION, CONSERVATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE URBAN AND SUBURBAN TREE POPULATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

NEW AWARD - PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY: PROJECT TITLE: CESU CORAL REEF RESTORATION AND DISEASE TREATMENT AT VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK AND VIRGIN ISLANDS CORAL REEF NATIONAL MONUMENT.AWARD PURPOSE: THE PROJECT HAS 3 GENERAL GOALS: 1) RESTORATION, ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING OF CORAL AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES 2) TREATMENT OF DISEASED CORALS AND 3) RESEARCH TO IMPROVE RESTORATION, DISEASE TREATMENT AND OVERALL CORAL REEF HEALTH. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: CORAL REEF RESTORATION AND DISEASE TREATMENTDELIVERABLES AND OR EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE PROJECT HAS 3 GENERAL GOALS: 1) RESTORATION, ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING OF CORAL AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES 2) TREATMENT OF DISEASED CORALS AND 3) RESEARCH TO IMPROVE RESTORATION, DISEASE TREATMENT AND OVERALL CORAL REEF HEALTH. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES IF KNOWN: N A

EXTENSION PROGRAMS IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

FOR FY 23-24, THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION WILL CONTINUE ITS HATCH REGULAR RESEARCH PROJECTS IN: ENHANCING PITAYA PRODUCTION IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; EVALUATING ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION INN CATTLE WITH LIQUID SEMEN; ENHANCING TROPICAL AGROECOSYSTEM SERVICES, PRODUCTIVITY AND RESILIENCE THROUGH CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE; VEGETABLE PERFORMANCE TRIALS IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; EVALUATING AVOCADO VARIETIES AND PRODUCTION IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. THE HATCH REGULAR CAPACITY FUNDS WILL ALSO PAY FOR PERSONNEL SALARIES.

VIRGIN ISLANDS SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

RII-BEC: SECURING STEM ISLAND PATHWAYS -THIS AWARD IS FUNDED IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 (PUBLIC LAW 117-2). IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) DEGREE RECIPIENTS OFTEN FACE UNCERTAIN JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND EMPLOYMENT LAGS THAT RESULT IN TRANSITIONS OUT OF STEM PATHWAYS TO OTHER ON- OR OFF-ISLAND EMPLOYMENT. THIS LOSS HAS POWERFUL IMPACTS FOR BOTH THE TERRITORY?S AND THE NATION?S STEM WORKFORCE, AS THE USVI POPULATION CONSISTS PRIMARILY OF THOSE FROM RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS THAT ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN STEM (76% BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN, ADDITIONAL 17% HISPANIC OF ANY RACE). MEANWHILE, TERRITORIAL PARTNERS HAVE EXISTING, VACANT, AND EMERGING STEM WORKFORCE NEEDS THAT COULD BE FILLED BY THESE INDIVIDUALS. PROVIDING SUPPORT TO EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED AS ONE SIGNIFICANT APPROACH TO PREVENTING THEM FROM LEAVING STEM CAREER PATHWAYS. THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT 13 POST-DEGREE RECIPIENTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN THE GEOSCIENCES. RECIPIENTS WILL BE PREPARED FOR LOCAL WORKFORCE POSITIONS AND GRADUATE SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS (UVI), THE ONLY INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THE TERRITORY AND ONE OF ONLY THREE HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCU) IN THE COUNTRY WITH MASTER?S DEGREE PROGRAMS IN MARINE SCIENCE. THE PROJECT WILL DOCUMENT THE PROGRESS OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND SUPPORT THEM TO PURSUE THEIR CAREER INTERESTS. THE PROJECT WILL INCREASE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN STEM, STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS, PROVIDE CRITICAL SUPPORT TO THE ONLY HBCU LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, AND BUILD CRITICAL CAPACITY WITHIN AN UNDER-RESOURCED EPSCOR JURISDICTION. THE GOALS OF THE SECURING STEM ISLAND PATHWAYS PROJECT ARE TO (1) STABILIZE CAREER PATHWAYS FOR UVI POST-DEGREE RECIPIENTS THROUGH THE CREATION OF NEW SHORT- AND LONG-TERM JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITH TERRITORIAL PARTNERS AND SUPPORT TO ATTEND UVI?S MASTERS OF MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM, (2) INCREASE STEM CAREER INTEREST, READINESS, AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY, AND REDUCE CAREER ANXIETY FOR PARTICIPANTS THROUGH THESE POST-DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES AND OTHER SUPPORT STRUCTURES LIKE MENTORING, PLACEMENT AGREEMENTS, AND NETWORKING THROUGH LOCAL AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEETINGS, (3) CONNECT PARTICIPANTS TO EACH OTHER AND TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, EXPERTISE, AND MENTORS, THROUGH THE CREATION OF NEW PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, AND (4) STRENGTHEN EXISTING AND BUILD NEW PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN UVI AND STEM WORKFORCE PARTNERS OPERATING IN THE TERRITORY AND BEYOND, WHILE BUILDING LOCAL AND NATIONAL STEM WORKFORCE CAPACITY. THE PROJECT WILL LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIPS, PROGRAMS, AND RESOURCES DEVELOPED BY VIRGIN ISLANDS EPSCOR AND THE NSF INCLUDES SEAS ISLANDS ALLIANCE AND BUILD ON THE ALLIANCE?S EARLY SUCCESSES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS PROJECT BRIDGES A CRITICAL PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY FOR MANY UNDERREPRESENTED POST-DEGREE RECIPIENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STEM CAREER PLACEMENTS (SHORT-TERM, LONG-TERM, AND GRADUATE), THE PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO MITIGATION OF STEM WORKFORCE LOSSES AND RECIPIENTS' CAREER UNCERTAINTY. THE PROJECT HAS POTENTIAL TO SERVE AS A MODEL PROGRAM FOR THE TERRITORY, OTHER EPSCOR JURISDICTIONS, AND THE NATION FOR BROADENING PARTICIPATION IN STEM. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

DEVELOPING FUTURE STEM LEADERS IN THE CARIBBEAN: SCHOLARSHIPS AND SYSTEMIC SUPPORT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS IN MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

DLT GRANTS- CARES ACT - MEDICAL

DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS - PROJECT SUMMARY THIS PROPOSAL WILL ENHANCE AND INNOVATE THE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAINING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS (UVI), THE ONLY HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS (USVI). THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROPOSAL IS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SPONSORED PROGRAM SERVICES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH BY DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF RESEARCH THROUGH TRAINING, MENTORING, COLLABORATION AND A STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE. UVI’S VISION IS TO DEVELOP RESEARCH RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FACULTY CONDUCTING EXCELLENT EXTERNALLY FUNDED BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH WHO WILL BE ABLE TO MENTOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH POTENTIAL FOR CAREERS IN SCIENCE. THERE ARE SEVERAL MOTIVATING FACTORS FOR THIS PROJECT: (1) DIVERSITY IN THE SCIENTIFIC WORKFORCE IS KEY TO THE FUTURE BIOMEDICAL DISCOVERIES THAT WILL IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE NATION, AND HBCUS SUCH AS UVI HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN TRAINING STUDENTS WHO ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN SCIENCE. (2) THE USVI IS A MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREA THAT EXPERIENCES DRAMATIC HEALTH DISPARITIES AND EMERGING DISEASES INCLUDING DENGUE, CHIKUNGUNYA, ZIKA, AND THE MORE RECENT CORONAVIRUS, WHICH ARE IMPORTANT NOT ONLY IN THE CARIBBEAN BUT ARE ALSO INCREASING ON THE US MAINLAND. LITTLE RESEARCH ON POPULATION HEALTH HAS BEEN PERFORMED IN THE USVI AND UVI CONTINUES TO LOOK AT RESEARCH IN THESE AREAS. (3) EXTENSIVE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IS ESSENTIAL TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR HIGHLY COMPETITIVE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS. ALTHOUGH UVI HAS VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS THAT MENTOR UNDERGRADUATES IN RESEARCH, THERE ARE MANY MORE UVI STUDENTS INTERESTED IN RESEARCH EXPERIENCE THAN CAN BE ACCOMMODATED IN EXTERNALLY FUNDED RESEARCH LABORATORIES. (4) UVI HAS ESTABLISHED A CULTURE OF INNOVATION IN ITS 2018-2023 STRATEGIC PLAN AND THROUGH THIS RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE AND INNOVATION IS A PRIMARY FOCUS AREA AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP. THE UVI INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP) ADDRESSES BARRIERS TO RESEARCH AND INFORMS THE SPECIFIC AIMS OF THIS PROPOSAL: (1) DEVELOP UVI’S RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION SUCH THAT IT IS WELL-TRAINED, RESOURCED, AND MOTIVATED TO SUPPORT A CULTURE OF RESEARCH. (2) DEVELOP RESEARCH REVIEW AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR RESEARCH FACULTY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER AND IMPROVE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS (3) INCREASE MENTORSHIP AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERGRADUATES IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH BY SUPPORTING FACULTY TO RECEIVE EXTERNAL FUNDING. THIS PROGRAM IS INNOVATIVE BECAUSE IT WILL FULLY INTEGRATE THE IDP FOR RESEARCH WITHIN UVI’S 2018-2023 STRATEGIC PLAN, PROVIDING STRONG INSTITUTION-WIDE COMMITMENT. RESEARCH AND TRAINING INNOVATIONS INCLUDE TARGETED TRAINING INITIATIVES COVERING THE LIFE CYCLE OF RESEARCH, INCREASED OUTREACH EFFORTS, TRAINING AND GRANT WRITING INITIATIVES AND FOCUS GROUPS OF HBCU RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS TO OVERCOME THE BARRIER OF GEOGRAPHIC ISOLATION. UVI’S LOGIC MODEL WILL BE USED TO ENSURE THAT EACH ACTIVITY WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A SUSTAINABLE VISION FOR RESEARCH AND TO DEVELOPING A UNIVERSITY-WIDE CULTURE SUPPORTING RESEARCH.

UVI MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAIINING PROGRAM - THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR INCREASED MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING AMONG INDIVIDUALS WHO INTERACT AND COME INTO CONTACT WITH PERSONS WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING OR EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS OF A MENTAL DISORDER. APPROXIMATELY 1 IN 5 ADULTS IN THE U.S. - 51.5 MILLION OR 20.6 PERCENT- OF ADULTS IN THE U.S. EXPERIENCES A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS IN ANY GIVEN YEAR THAT SUBSTANTIALLY INTERFERES OR LIMITS ONE OR MORE LIFE ACTIVITIES. THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS (UVI) MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING PROGRAM IDENTIFIES THAT THERE IS A LARGE AUDIENCE OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS (USVI) FOR WHICH MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING WILL BE BENEFICIAL AND AS SUCH, THE PROJECTS OVERALL GOALS ARE TO (1) CONDUCT A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO GATHER ACCURATE AND BASELINE INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF THE UVI COMMUNITY AND WIDER USVI COMMUNITY; (2) INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE INDIVIDUALS TRAINED IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA); (3) INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF INDIVIDUALS TRAINING IN CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM (CIT) PROGRAM; AND (4) INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF INDIVIDUALS TRAINING IN QUESTION. PERSUADE. REFER. (QPR) COURSE. UVI'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING PROGRAM WILL ESTABLISH LINKAGES WITH TRAINING RECIPIENTS AND LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS TO REFER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL DISORDERS, PARTICULARLY SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI) AND/ OR SERIOUS EMOTIONS DISTURBANCES (SED) TO APPROPRIATE SERVICES. WITH OVER 50 YEARS OF PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY, UVI HAS STRONG AND LONGSTANDING PARTNERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THE GAPS IN SERVICES, STRUCTURAL BARRIERS TO SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH WHICH IMPACT THE USVI. WITHIN THE GRANT CYCLER, THE TRAINING PROGRAM WILL TRAIN 1,475 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS ON HOW TO APPROPRIATELY AND SAFELY RESPOND TO PERSONS WITH MENTAL DISORDERS. UVI'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING PROGRAM WILL REMAIN COMMITTED TO EXPANDING RESOURCES AND STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS IN OUR CATCHMENT AREA - THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS.

VIRGIN ISLANDS ADVANCING BIOMEDICAL LABS WITH EXCELLENCE (VIABLE) - THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS (UVI) HAS COMPLETED A 17,000 SQUARE FOOT BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH FACILITY DESIGNED TO ADVANCE RESEARCH ADDRESSING THE HEALTH NEEDS OF SMALL ISLAND POPULATIONS. THE RESEARCH AGENDA FOCUSES ON THREE PILLARS: 1). EPIDEMIOLOGY, DISEASE, AND HEALTH INSIGHTS: UTILIZING UVI’S UNIQUE CARIBBEAN LOCATION, THIS PILLAR INCLUDES STUDIES OF HUMAN HEALTH INFLUENCES RELATED TO LOCAL GEOGRAPHICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS, BASIC BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH, PRE-CLINICAL STUDIES, AND -OMICS LABORATORIES, AND MONITORING AND ANALYSIS TO SERVE AS A SENTINEL FOR DISEASES AND VECTORS TRANSITING THE REGION. 2). DATA-DRIVEN BIOMEDICAL SOLUTIONS: THIS PILLAR LEVERAGES AI, DIGITAL INNOVATIONS AND DATA-DRIVEN APPROACHES TO ENHANCE PRECISION HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMONG CARIBBEAN, REMOTE, AND INSULAR POPULATIONS, PRIORITIZING INNOVATIONS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EFFECTIVE HEALTH SOLUTIONS. 3). HEALTH RESILIENCE AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE: RESEARCH INCORPORATES BIOMEDICAL, CLINICAL, PUBLIC (INCLUDING MENTAL) HEALTH, COMMUNITY HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS, AND DISASTER MEDICINE (SUCH AS SANITATION, ENERGY, LOGISTICS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND TRIAGE). EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON RESILIENCE AND HAZARD MITIGATION FOR HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AFFECTED BY NATURAL AND HUMAN-CAUSED DISASTERS, ALONG WITH VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION IN COMMUNITY AND EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS. UVI IS THE ONLY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, SERVING A POPULATION WITH ELEVATED RATES OF CANCER, DIABETES, COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. THE TERRITORY IS MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED, DESIGNATED A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREA (HPSA), AND FACES SIGNIFICANT HEALTH CHALLENGES AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES. ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION ENABLES THE FACILITY TO SUPPORT REGIONAL HEALTH MONITORING AND CONTRIBUTE TO MULTIPLE RESEARCH DOMAINS. THE PROPOSAL STRENGTHENS RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH RESILIENCE AND HAZARD PREVENTION PLANNING, SUPPORTING SPONSORED PROGRAM SERVICES FOR CENTERS, FACULTY, AND STUDENTS. BRE SPAD INITIATIVES WILL FOSTER A CULTURE OF RESEARCH, ENHANCE UVI’S PRODUCTIVITY, ATTRACT EXTERNAL FUNDING, AND BUILD LEADERSHIP IN RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS STORM STRONG PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CARIBBEAN GREEN TECHNOLOGY CENTER SAFETY IN PARADISE

UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CARRIBEAN GREEN TECHNOLOGY CENTER SAFETY IN PARADISE

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS (UVI) AND THOSE AT K1-12 SCHOOLS IN THE TERRITORY, RELY ON THE UVI'S AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION (AES) RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FACILITIES TO DEFINE THEIR INITIAL PERSPECTIVES OF AGRICULTURE. THE AES LACKS A FUNCTIONAL POSTHARVEST HANDLING AND TRAINING FACILITY (PHTF), A CRITICAL TRANSLATIONAL STUDY TOOL FOR ASPECTS AS USDA STANDARD GRADING OF PRODUCE BETWEEN THE FARM AND THE MARKET. THE PRESENT PHTF STRUCTURES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT ARE OUTDATED AND MOSTLY DYSFUNCTIONAL AND CANNOT ADEQUATELY HANDLE PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATIONS THAT THE UNIVERSITY NEEDS TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO FILL THE CRITICAL NEED FOR SKILLED, YOUTHFUL WORKFORCE IN AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY CHAIN IN THE TERRITORY. THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT ARE: 1) REMODEL THE EXISTING POSTHARVEST BUILDING INTO A CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR PRODUCE HANDLING AND STUDENT TRAINING; 2) REPLACE DYSFUNCTIONAL FIXTURES AND PROCURE EQUIPMENT WITH STUDENTS' INVOLVEMENT IN PROCUREMENT PROCESSES; AND 3) TRAIN STUDENTS TO BE PEER INSTRUCTORS IN THE PHTF AND TO ENHANCE STUDENT-FACULTY COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH. THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES ALIGN WITH BOTH THE RIIA'S AND AGFEI'S GOALS OF 1) SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION FOR TEACHING AND RESEARCH; 2) STUDENT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING; AND 3) STUDENT RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND EDUCATIONAL EQUITY, AND 4) AGFEI'S ENHANCED CONDUCT OF ACTIVITIES IN TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH. THE PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THESE GOALS THROUGH ENHANCED STUDENTS' INTEREST AND EFFECTIVE TRAINING AIMED AT BRIDGING THE CRITICAL GAP BETWEEN INADEQUATE PERSONNEL TRAINED IN AGRICULTURE IN THE USVI AND THE STRATEGIC NEED FOR YOUNGER GENERATION OF FARMERS IN LINE WITH TERRITORIAL VISION 2040 ON FOOD SECURITY.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: IDEAS LAB: HBCU RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION EXCHANGE -THIS PROJECT AIMS TO SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE THE RESEARCH CAPACITY, VISIBILITY, AND STATURE OF FACULTY AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCUS) BY ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE EXPERTISE DIRECTORY. WHILE THE NATION?S HBCUS ARE THE SOURCE OF MANY TALENTED FACULTY, RESEARCHERS, AND STUDENTS CONDUCTING IMPORTANT, TRANSFORMATIONAL RESEARCH, THERE ARE OFTEN BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES THAT PREVENT THESE FACULTY, RESEARCHERS, AND STUDENTS FROM RECEIVING RECOGNITION OR ACCESS TO CRITICAL RESOURCES. BY CONNECTING RESEARCHERS ACROSS HBCUS, THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES FUNDAMENTAL CHALLENGES OF VISIBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND COLLABORATION THAT MANY HBCU FACULTY FACE, PARTICULARLY AT SMALLER, GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED, OR LESS RESOURCED INSTITUTIONS. THE PROJECT WILL FACILITATE EASIER ACCESS TO COLLABORATORS AND RESOURCES, THUS BROADENING PARTICIPATION IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, SUPPORTING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND ENHANCING DIVERSITY WITHIN THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COMMUNITY. THIS PROJECT AIDS IN OVERCOMING THE ISOLATION EXPERIENCED BY RESEARCHERS, ESPECIALLY AT SMALLER HBCUS, AND EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN AND STRENGTHEN RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS HBCUS. AS A RESULT, THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS THE CULTIVATION OF A DIVERSE STEM WORKFORCE, WHICH IS CRUCIAL FOR MAINTAINING THE UNITED STATES' GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. THIS PILOT PROJECT, HBCU RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION EXCHANGE (HBCU RACE) FOCUSES ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF AN EXPERTISE DIRECTORY ACROSS SIX PARTICIPATING HBCUS: ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY, FISK UNIVERSITY, NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, AND WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY. THIS DIRECTORY WILL COLLECT, CURATE, AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO DETAILED PROFILES OF FACULTY RESEARCH INTERESTS, PUBLICATIONS, AND PROJECTS, FACILITATING INCREASED INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION AND RESOURCE SHARING. THE PROJECT WILL LEVERAGE AN ADVANCED RESEARCH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH THE SUPPORT OF AN EXTERNAL CONTRACTOR TO ENSURE THE DIRECTORY IS COMPREHENSIVE, USER-FRIENDLY, AND EFFECTIVELY INTEGRATED ACROSS INSTITUTIONS. KEY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DATA COLLECTION, EXPERT REPRESENTATION, INTERFACE DESIGN, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDIZED DATA PROTOCOLS TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY AND ACCURACY. THE DIRECTORY?S IMPACT ON RESEARCH COLLABORATION AND CAPACITY WILL BE DIRECTLY ASSESSED THROUGH METRICS SUCH AS GRANT SUBMISSIONS, RESEARCH EXPENDITURES, AND FACULTY ENGAGEMENT, SUPPLEMENTED BY SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSES TO QUANTIFY CHANGES IN COLLABORATION PATTERNS. BY PROVIDING EMPIRICAL DATA ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXPERTISE DIRECTORIES IN EXPANDING RESEARCH ACTIVITY, THIS PILOT PROJECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INFORM BEST PRACTICES FOR ENHANCING RESEARCH COLLABORATION ACROSS DIVERSE HBCUS AND OTHER TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS, ULTIMATELY CONTRIBUTING TO A MORE ROBUST AND DIVERSE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, HBCU RACE WILL NOT ONLY HAVE POTENTIAL TO ADVANCE SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE BUT COULD ALSO STRENGTHEN THE RESEARCH WORKFORCE AND EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPES OF THE INVOLVED HBCUS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

FOR FY 2024-2025, THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION WILL CONTINUE TO EXPEND HATCH MULTI-STATE FUNDS TO PAY SOME SALARIES OF PERSONNEL, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: W4128 - MICROIRRIGATION AND SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR CROP INTENSIFICATION AND IMPROVED CROP PRODUCTIVITY; S1086 - ENHANCING SUSTAINABILITY OF BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION IN SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL UNITED STATES THROUGH GENETIC IMPROVEMENT; S009 - PLANT GENETIC RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION; MULTI-STATE RESEARCH COORDINATION, SOUTHERN REGION.

FOR FY 20254-2026, THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION WILL CONTINUE TO EXPEND HATCH MULTI-STATE FUNDS TO PAY SOME SALARIES OF PERSONNEL, AS WELL AS COLLABORATE WITH OTHER STATES ON REGIONAL PROJECTS WITH THE FOLLOWING FOCUS: W4128 - MICROIRRIGATION AND SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR CROP INTENSIFICATION AND IMPROVED CROP PRODUCTIVITY; IMPACTS OF STRESS ON PERFORMANCE, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ANIMALS (TO REPLACE S1086); S009 - PLANT GENETIC RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION; MULTI-STATE RESEARCH COORDINATION, SOUTHERN REGION. THESE MULTI-STATE PROJECTS COMBINES THE EXPERTISE FROM MULTIPLE INSTITUTIONS TO WORK TOGETHER AND DEVELOP INNOVATIVE AND APPLICABLE SOLUTIONS TO REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL CHALLENGES.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP A WATER-STORAGE ASSESSMENT TOOL SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR SMALL AGRICULTURAL PONDS IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. THIS PROJECT AIMS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL WATER MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES FACED BY LOCAL FARMERS AND ENHANCE SUSTANABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES.

FY2024 (ATSG) AT ACT STATE GRANTS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

FY2025 (ATSG) AT ACT STATE GRANTS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY - AT ACT STATE GRANTS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

THE EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM (EFNEP) IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS TO HELP PARTICIPANTS IMPROVE NUTRITION, DIET AND HEALTH LITERACY, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIORS, FOOD RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, FOOD SAFETY AND FOOD SECURITY. PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE INCOME ELIGIBLE PARENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS, CAREGIVERS, AND EXPECTANT MOTHERS, AS WELL AS CHILDREN AND TEENS. THESE NUTRITION EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE FACILITATED BY FRONTLINE EDUCATORS WHO, FOR THE MOST PART, COME FROM OR REPRESENT THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. EFNEP IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO ENGAGE ADULT PARTICIPANTS FROM PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITIES, ADULT EDUCATION, UVI STUDENTS, THE UVI EARLY CHILDHOOD LABORATORY AND HEAD START PROGRAMS, REFERRALS FROM THE WOMEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC) AND SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE (SNAP) PROGRAMS. THROUGH A SERIES OF 6-9 LESSONS USING EFNEP APPROVED CURRICULA, PARTICIPANTS WILL CONTINUE TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE FOOD CHOICES THAT ARE ECONOMICAL AND IMPROVE THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF MEALS THEY PREPARE AND SERVE THEIR FAMILIES. THROUGH AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROCESS, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO BETTER MANAGE THEIR FOOD DOLLARS TO SELECT AND BUY QUALITY, NUTRITION-RICH FOOD ON A LIMITED FOOD BUDGET; GAIN SKILLS IN FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE, AND SANITATION; AND CONNECT TO RELEVANT RESOURCES. USING THE PARAPROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR MODEL, AS PRESCRIBED BY EFNEP, SPECIAL EMPHASIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PLACED ON EXTENDING PROGRAM REACH, DEEPENING LEARNING AND CHARACTERIZING IMPACT BY IDENTIFYING, TRAINING AND MENTORING PLACE BASED ADULT EFNEP GRADUATES TO DELIVER EFNEP CLASSES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES. THROUGH 6-8 HOURS OF DIRECT CONTACT USING EFNEP APPROVED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, YOUTH 5-18 ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR 4-H CLUBS, WILL EXPERIENCE BELONGING, MASTERY, INDEPENDENCE AND GENEROSITY WHILE LEARNING ABOUT BASIC NUTRITION, FOOD PREPARATION AND SAFETY, AND WAYS TO REDUCE SCREEN TIME AND INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EFNEP PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE EVALUATED USING 24-HOUR FOOD RECALLS FOR ADULT PARTICIPANTS, AND PRE-AND POST-TESTS FOR BOTH YOUTH AND ADULTS, AND OTHER ANECDOTAL RESPONSES.

THE EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM (EFNEP) IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR LIMITED-RESOURCES YOUTH AND FAMILIES DELIVERED THROUGH THE UVI SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. EFNEP PROVIDES HANDS-ON INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS TO HELP PARTICIPANTS IMPROVE NUTRITION, DIET AND HEALTH LITERACY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIORS, FOOD RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, FOOD SAFETY AND FOOD SECURITY. PROGRAMS SERVE INCOME ELIGIBLE PARENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS, CAREGIVERS, AND EXPECTANT MOTHERS, AS WELL AS CHILDREN AND TEENS. THESE NUTRITION EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAMS ARE FACILITATED BY FRONTLINE EDUCATORS WHO, FOR THE MOST PART, COME FOR OR REPRESENT THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. EFNEP IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ENGAGES ADULT PARTICIPANTS FROM PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITIES, ADULT EDUCATION, UVI STUDENTS, HEAD START PROGRAMS AND REFERRALS FROM THE WOMEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC) AND SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE (SNAP) PROGRAMS. THROUGH A SERIES OF 6-9 LESSONS USING EFNEP APPROVED CURRICULA, PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW TO MAKE FOOD CHOICES THAT ARE ECONOMICAL AND IMPROVE THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF MEALS THEY PREPARE AND SERVE THEIR FAMILIES. THROUGH AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROCESS, THEY IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO BETTER MANAGE THEIR FOOD DOLLAR TO SELECT AND BUY QUALITY, NUTRITION-RICH FOOD ON A LIMITED FOOD BUDGET; GAIN SKILLS IN FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE, AND SANITATION; AND LEARN TO MANAGE THEIR FOOD BUDGET AND CONNECT TO RELEVANT RESOURCES. THROUGH 6-8 HOURS OF DIRECT CONTACT USING EFNEP APPROVED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, YOUTH AGES 5-18 ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR 4-H CLUBS, EXPERIENCE BELONGING, MASTERY, INDEPENDENCE AND GENEROSITY WHILE LEARNING ABOUT BASIC NUTRITION, FOOD PREPARATION AND SAFETY, AND WAYS TO REDUCE SCREEN TIME AND INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EFNEP PROGRAMS ARE EVALUATED USING 24-HOUR FOOD RECALLS FOR ADULT PARTICIPANTS, AND PRE-AND POST-TESTS FOR BOTH YOUTH AND ADULTS.

CAMPUS BASED-FWS

CAMPUS BASED-FWS

CAMPUS BASED-FSEOG

INCREASE AWARENESS OF CAREER PATHWAYS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE, AQUA-AND HYDROPONICS AGRIBUSINESS, BIOTECHNOLOGY, HORTICULTURE, VETERINARY MEDICINE, HORTICULTURE, AND GENERAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO SHADOW UVI RESEARCH SCIENTISTS AND GAIN

THE UVI AGDISCOVERY PROGRAM IS A TWO-WEEK SUMMER OUTREACH PROGRAM COORDINATED BY THE UVI SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE. VIA A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION PROCESS MANAGED BY USDA APHIS. UVI WILL SELECT 20 YOUTH IN GRADES 7TH -12TH. PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS WILL BE STUDENTS FROM THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES WHO ARE FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, WITH A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON RECRUITING MINORITY YOUTH. IN ADDITION, SPECIAL EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACTIVELY RECRUIT VIRGIN ISLANDS APPLICANTS. UVI HAS OPTED TO ADMIT APPLICANTS IN THE 7TH -12TH GRADE RANGE TO ENCOURAGE THE ENROLLMENT OF LOCAL STUDENTS IN THE JUNIOR AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS. SEVENTH TO TWELFTH GRADE STUDENTS ARE DETERMINED TO BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE LEVEL FOR AGDISCOVERY PARTICIPATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BASED UPON FACTORS, INCLUDING STUDENT SAFETY, REQUISITE SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE LEVEL NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN THE PROGRAM.

FOR FY 2025 2026, THE MCINTIRE STENNIS PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION WILL CONTINUE TO STUDY THE FORESTS OF THE USVI, BOTH ON A LAND SCAPE SCALE AND A RARE NATIVE SPECIES SCALE. IT FOCUSSES RESEARCH ON BOTH FEDERALLY ENDANGERED TREE SPECIES, SUCH AS BUXUS VAHLII AND CATESBAEA MELANOCARPA, AND LOCALLY RARE AND THREATENED TREE SPECIES, SUCH AS GUAIACUM OFFICINALE AND ZANTHOXYLUM FLAVUM. IT IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE TO STUDY SITE REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS SOIL AND CLIMATE, PHENOLOGY, AND SEED DISPERSAL TO PROPAGATE THESE RARE TREE SPECIES IN A NURSERY SETTING AND SUCCESSFULLY PLANT THEM IN THE FOREST. THE MCINTIRE STENNIS PROGRAM ALSO WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE PLANTING OF NATIVE TREES IN PUBLIC SPACES AS OPPOSED TO NURSERY STOCK IMPORTED INTO THE ISLANDS. SINCE THE MAJORITY LANDSCAPE OF THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS IS CONSIDERED URBAN, DUE TO NUMBERS OF INHABITANTS PER SQUARE MILE, A MAJOR CONSIDERATION IS PLANTING THE RIGHT TREE IN THE RIGHT PLACE, TAKING IN CONSIDERATION TREE SIZE AND AVAILABLE PLANTING SPACE. BY DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE WAYS TO PROPAGATE THE RARE TREE SPECIES, IT ALSO ENCOURAGES THE PLANTING OF NATIVE TREES IN THE AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOR WINDBREAKS AND AS SHADE TREES FOR LIVESTOCK IN PASTURES.

ENCAMPMENT SERVICES

FOR FY 2024, THE MCINTIRE-STENNIS PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION WILL CONTINUE TO STUDY THE FORESTS OF THE USVI, BOTH ON A LAND SCAPE SCALE AND A SPECIES SCALE. IT FOCUSSES RESEARCH ON BOTH FEDERALLY ENDANGERED TREE SPECIES, SUCH AS BUXUS VAHLII AND CATESBAEA MELANOCARPA, AND LOCALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES, SUCH AS GUAIACUM OFFICINALE AND ZANTHOXYLUM FLAVUM. IT IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE TO STUDY SITE REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS SOIL AND CLIMATE, PHENOLOGY, AND SEED DISPERSAL IN ORDER TO PROPAGATE THESE SPECIES IN A NURSERY SETTING AND SUCCESSFULLY PLANT THEM IN THE FOREST. THE MCINTIRE-STENNIS PROGRAM ALSO WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE PLANTING OF NATIVE TREES IN PUBLIC SPACES AS OPPOSED TO NURSERY STOCK IMPORTED INTO THE ISLANDS. SINCE THE MAJORITY LANDSCAPE OF THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS IS CONSIDERED URBAN, DUE TO NUMBERS OF INHABITANTS PER SQUARE MILE, A MAJOR CONSIDERATION IS PLANTING THE RIGHT TREE IN THE RIGHT PLACE, TAKING IN CONSIDERATION TREE SIZE AND AVAILABLE PLANTING SPACE. THE CORRECT CARE OF TREES IN THE URBAN AND SUBURBAN ENVIRONMENT WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BE PROMOTED. IT ALSO ENCOURAGES THE PLANTING OF NATIVE TREES IN THE AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOR WINDBREAKS AND AS SHADE TREES FOR LIVESTOCK IN PASTURES.

FOR FY 2024-2025, THE MCINTIRE-STENNIS PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION WILL CONTINUE TO STUDY THE FORESTS OF THE USVI, BOTH ON A LAND SCAPE SCALE AND A SPECIES SCALE. IT FOCUSSES RESEARCH ON BOTH FEDERALLY ENDANGERED TREE SPECIES, SUCH AS BUXUS VAHLII AND CATESBAEA MELANOCARPA, AND LOCALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES, SUCH AS GUAIACUM OFFICINALE AND ZANTHOXYLUM FLAVUM. IT IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE TO STUDY SITE REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS SOIL AND CLIMATE, PHENOLOGY, AND SEED DISPERSAL IN ORDER TO PROPAGATE THESE SPECIES IN A NURSERY SETTING AND SUCCESSFULLY PLANT THEM IN THE FOREST. THE MCINTIRE-STENNIS PROGRAM ALSO WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE PLANTING OF NATIVE TREES IN PUBLIC SPACES AS OPPOSED TO NURSERY STOCK IMPORTED INTO THE ISLANDS. SINCE THE MAJORITY LANDSCAPE OF THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS IS CONSIDERED URBAN, DUE TO NUMBERS OF INHABITANTS PER SQUARE MILE, A MAJOR CONSIDERATION IS 'PLANTING THE RIGHT TREE IN THE RIGHT PLACE', TAKING IN CONSIDERATION TREE SIZE AND AVAILABLE PLANTING SPACE. THE CORRECT CARE OF TREES IN THE URBAN AND SUBURBAN ENVIRONMENT WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BE PROMOTED. IT ALSO ENCOURAGES THE PLANTING OF NATIVE TREES IN THE AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE FOR WINDBREAKS AND AS SHADE TREES FOR LIVESTOCK IN PASTURES.

''IGF::OT::IGF'' U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS MONITORING MISSION FOR THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES IN MIAMI

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IGF::OT::IGF ANNUAL TRAINING LODGING FOR 3-140 AVN

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