Government honours farmers and fishers at 2026
The Government of the Virgin Islands honoured outstanding farmers and fishers from across the Territory during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Agriculture and Fisheries Exhibition and Market on Friday, 10 April 2026 at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Paraquita Bay. Awards in multiple categories were presented by the Premier and Minister responsible for Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, as Acting Permanent Secretary Dr. Lavon Chalwell-Brewley highlighted the people behind the produce and fisheries and praised awardees as leaders, innovators and role models (Government of the Virgin Islands).
The Virgin Islands turned its attention to the people who feed the Territory as the 2026 Agriculture and Fisheries Exhibition and Market opened on Friday, 10 April under the theme "Farming the Land, Fishing the Seas, Nourishing Lives and Legacies." The opening ceremony was held at the Eileene L.
Lavity Stoutt Community College campus in Paraquita Bay (Government of the Virgin Islands). The ceremony featured a harvest procession, musical performances and recitations before awards were presented by the Premier and Minister responsible for Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable Dr.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Dr. Lavon Chalwell-Brewley delivered remarks that emphasised the importance of recognising the individuals who sustain the agriculture and fisheries sectors. "Today, we pause to not only celebrate produce, products, and progress — but most importantly, to celebrate people," she said, noting that these hardworking men and women "rise early, work tirelessly, and remain committed to the work they do." Dr.
Chalwell-Brewley also welcomed awardees from across the Territory, including Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke (Government of the Virgin Islands). The Government and organisers presented a suite of awards to recognise contributions across farming, livestock and fisheries.
Categories highlighted included the Food Producer Award, Livestock Producer Award, Agri‑Tech Innovator Award, Community Farming Hero Award, Community Fishing Hero Award, Fisheries Entrepreneurship Award, Fishers Entrepreneurship Award, Young Fisherman of the Year, Fish Producer Award and Lifetime Achievement Award for long-serving fishers.
Chalwell-Brewley described each category and its purpose, praising recipients as leaders, innovators and role models who help build and sustain the Territory's food systems (Government of the Virgin Islands). Permanent Secretary in the Premier's Office Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe had earlier said the weekend-long event is meant to remind residents that food security is a shared responsibility and that the Government is shifting emphasis toward the people behind the harvest. "This celebration is a powerful reminder that food security is a collective territorial effort," she said in the Government's pre-event release.
Members of the public are invited to visit the Road Town Festival Grounds on Saturday and Sunday, 11–12 April, to view livestock displays, crop exhibits and industry demonstrations. The market will showcase local culinary talent with competitive events including goat soup, pumpkin punch and ital stew contests.
Traditional festival activities — Strong Man and Strong Woman contests, Greased Pig and Tug of War — are planned to provide family-friendly entertainment throughout the weekend (Government of the Virgin Islands). The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, under the Premier’s Office, is leading the exhibition and market to encourage safe, nutritious and sustainable food production while protecting the natural environment and supporting economic growth and social well‑being across the Virgin Islands.
Residents are encouraged to attend to support local producers and to witness the Territory’s food heroes being celebrated. For more information, the Government advised consulting official channels or directing media enquiries to BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com (Government of the Virgin Islands).
Primary source: BVI Government