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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.

Learn more at: www.goodfoodvi.org
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Subscribe and follow for more stories from the land, the leaders, and the local visionaries shaping the future of food in the Virgin Islands.

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In Episode 9 of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, we hear from Dara Monifa Cooper, a long-time food system advocate, connector, and visionary based in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

For decades, Dara has been a quiet force in the movement—uplifting farmers, sharing critical information, building bridges, and pushing for systems-level solutions that reflect the power and potential of Virgin Islanders. Whether through grassroots work or organizational partnerships, her leadership is grounded in collaboration, accountability, and collective liberation.

In this episode, Dara shares:
-----Why cross-sector relationship-building is essential to a thriving food system
-----How we can hold each other accountable while still moving forward in love and alignment
-----Her vision for how Virgin Islanders can create solutions from within that sustain both land and people

This is a thoughtful and energizing conversation with someone who has long been doing the behind-the-scenes work to keep our farming community informed, empowered, and connected. Dara reminds us that liberation isn’t a solo act—it’s a collective rhythm rooted in trust, transparency, and shared purpose.

🌱 Learn more at: www.goodfoodvi.org
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📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfood_vi

🎧 Subscribe for more stories that honor the people, land, and relationships shaping the future of food in the Virgin Islands.

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In Episode 8 of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, we are joined by Tarik McMillan—a son of St. Croix, a licensed trauma clinician, and a powerful voice in the movement for land stewardship and justice in the Virgin Islands.

Tarik brings a deeply rooted perspective as both a mental health professional and an advocate for land ownership, cultural preservation, and resistance to gentrification. With a background in trauma-based counseling and community healing, he speaks candidly about the emotional, spiritual, and generational connection to land, and what it means when that connection is threatened.

In this episode, Tarik explores:

What gentrification really looks like in the Virgin Islands—and how it differs from development

The role of land stewardship as a form of self-determination and healing

Why community-based land ownership must be central to our food and freedom movements

This is more than a conversation about policy—it’s a grounded and necessary discussion about belonging, sovereignty, and the right to remain.

🌱 Learn more at: www.goodfoodvi.org

📲 Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfoodvi

📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfood_vi

🎧 Subscribe and tune in to more stories that connect food, land, healing, and the future of our islands.