2026 - 2027 University of the Virgin Islands Model State Program - Program Assistant

Commodities

Practices

This project proposal focuses on providing educational activities, including training in three priority areas, to improve the sustainability of small ruminant and swine production in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our first objective is to raise awareness and increase knowledge about gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in small ruminant production in the Caribbean, and to provide tools to mitigate parasite infections through sustainable practices, knowledge, and demonstration of rotational grazing and FAMACHA® training certifications. This first objective is in collaboration with Mississippi State University. The second objective is to cover small ruminant nutrition in the Caribbean, with a focus on animal health and pasture conservation. This objective continues the prior years' objectives and will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Arizona. The last objective will mark the beginning of an improvement in swine production in the region. Swine production ranks third among livestock production in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the series of educational activities proposed in this project will improve community knowledge of biosecurity, alternative feeds, technologies, and common practices in this industry. A swine expert from the University of Puerto Rico will be presenting the educational material. This project is an opportunity to continue promoting agricultural sustainability and improving food safety in the region.

The three objectives of the USVI Professional Development Program for the 2025-2026 will be to mentor local agricultural staff from state and federal agencies, including the UVI livestock staff, extension agents, and animal science students, as well as the local farming community. The training objectives will be as follows:

1- A series of seminars to provide basic and advanced knowledge about Gastrointestinal Nematode (GIN) infections in the Caribbean region to local farmers, UVI staff, and employees from other agencies such as the USVI Department of Agriculture (VIDA). Topics to be presented and discussed include general information on internal parasite infections in the region, alternative measures to mitigate them, rotational grazing, and FAMACHA®. In addition, FAMACHA® training and certification will be provided to UVI staff, extension agents, and animal science students. Also, any local agricultural staff from state and federal agencies will be free to participate. This objective follows the train-the-trainer model.

2- The objective #2 will be focused on the nutrition of the small ruminant production and its correlation with animal health. The topics to cover will be nutrients and feed required for sustainable small ruminant production, the relationship between animal nutrition and the animal immune system, forage conservation, and best small ruminant nutritional practices in the Caribbean.

3- Swine production on the Virgin Islands represents the third livestock production in the region. Seminars and training regarding biosecurity, alternative feeds, technologies, and practices to improve production will be performed. Educational materials, seminars, and demonstrations on swine production have not been provided in the territory.