Press Releases
CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES FARMERS IN ACTION COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING WAIVER, GRANTED BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Washington, DC,
May 5, 2025
For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland PRESS RELEASE CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES FARMERS IN ACTION COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING WAIVER, GRANTED BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Washington, D.C. – For the past two years, Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett and her team have actively worked with the St. Croix Farmers in Action (FIA) group to assist with the acquisition of funding for a sustainable water source for local farmers. During the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) appropriations process, FIA submitted a Community Project Funding (CPF) request to rehabilitate water infrastructure on Estate Bethlehem and were subsequently approved for $1 million dollars in community project funding, of which FIA would have to provide a non-federal match of $250,000. FIA’s plans to rehabilitate Estate Bethlehem’s water infrastructure include an existing 1-million-gallon cistern on the Bethlehem Sugar Factory Site. This funding is critical as the cistern restoration would help fulfill the needs of farms and businesses whose economic success depends upon a consistent water source to maintain farmland. Within the past year, FIA faced significant challenges in providing the required funding match and requested assistance from the Congresswoman and her team. Kareem Edwards, FIA board member shared, “FIA extends heartfelt gratitude for Congresswoman Plaskett’s unwavering advocacy and support of our organization and the broader agricultural community in the Virgin Islands. Thanks to Congresswoman Plaskett and her team’s dedicated efforts, we were able to secure the necessary USDA waiver to rehabilitate the million-gallon cistern on the island—a vital step toward strengthening our water infrastructure and enhancing the resilience of our farming operations. The Congresswoman’s commitment to championing the needs of St. Croix’s farmers continues to make a meaningful and lasting impact.” Another FIA board member, Tahemah Edwards shared the following, “St. Croix Farmers in Action thanks the Honorable Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett and her staff for their vision, dedication, and collaboration in making the Bethlehem Sugar Factory Restoration site a reality. I would also like to thank Kareem Edwards, Tralice Bracy and the St. Croix Farmers in Action board of directors for their lobbying efforts.” “This outcome is the result of true collaboration,” said Senator Angel Bolques, whose office provided a letter of support to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in pursuit of the waiver. “Our office worked closely with our Honorable Congresswoman Plaskett and her office, St. Croix Farmers in Action, USDA, and VIEDA—exploring every possible funding solution to help overcome the financial barriers to assist with securing this vital waiver. I’m so proud to have contributed to this effort and remain committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen our agricultural infrastructure and empower our farmers.” “I am tremendously pleased that FIA has received a waiver of the match that USDA-Rural Development (USDA-RD) originally required to access the funding provided to rehabilitate existing cistern infrastructure to support the farmers of St. Croix,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “I commend FIA and the board members, led by Tahemah Edwards and his nephew, Kareem Edwards, for their diligence and perseverance in pursuit of agricultural development and advocacy for St. Croix farmers. I would also like to thank the Senator Angel Bolques and his team for their advocacy and presence on FIA’s behalf. “USDA-RD’s decision to waive the match, particularly during this political climate speaks well of our ability to galvanize our efforts in order to get things done for our territory.” Pictured below, right to left: FIA Volunteer – Tralice Bracy, Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, FIA Board Member – Paulette Edwards, FIA Board Member Tahemah Edwards, Representatives from Senator Angel Bolques’s office – Judy Torres and Marcellino Ventura
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