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In this episode of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, we speak with Louis Emanuel Petersen, Jr., Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, about the bold path forward for food and farming across the territory.

A lifelong advocate for agriculture with ancestral roots in farming, Commissioner Petersen shares how his upbringing, education, and return home to the Virgin Islands shaped his vision for a thriving, self-sustaining food system. His passion for agriculture runs deep, not just in policy, but in practice, mentorship, and legacy-building.

In this episode, Commissioner Petersen discusses:

• His personal journey back to the land and what it means to serve his community through this work
  
  
• The intention and purpose behind the Territorial Agricultural Plan
  
  
• Why agriculture is a viable business opportunity and a path to economic resilience
  
  
• The Department’s efforts to expand staff capacity and strengthen local support systems
  
  
• His commitment to recruiting and inspiring young Virgin Islanders to return home and enter agriculture
  
  

This episode is both a roadmap and a call to action—inviting a new generation to plant roots, grow businesses, and feed the territory with pride and purpose.

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