Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Students at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and those at K1-12 schools in the territory, rely on the UVI's Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) research and education facilities to define their initial perspectives of agriculture. The AES lacks a functional postharvest handling and training facility (PHTF), a critical translational study tool for aspects as USDA standard grading of produce between the farm and the market. The present PHTF structures and related equipment are outdated and mostly dysfunctional and cannot adequately handle practical demonstrations that the university needs to prepare students to fill the critical need for skilled, youthful workforce in agricultural supply chain in the territory. The objectives of this project are: 1) Remodel the existing postharvest building into a conducive environment for produce handling and student training; 2) Replace dysfunctional fixtures and procure equipment with students' involvement in procurement processes; and 3) Train students to be peer instructors in the PHTF and to enhance student-faculty collaborative research. The project objectives align with both the RIIA's and AGFEI's goals of 1) Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching and Research; 2) Student Experiential Learning; and 3) Student Recruitment, Retention, and Educational Equity, and 4) AGFEI's Enhanced Conduct of Activities in Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research. The project will contribute to these goals through enhanced students' interest and effective training aimed at bridging the critical gap between inadequate personnel trained in agriculture in the USVI and the strategic need for younger generation of farmers in line with territorial Vision 2040 on food security.
Animal Health Component
75%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
5%
Applied
75%
Developmental
20%
Goals / Objectives
The objectives of this project are: 1) Remodel the existing OCFS building into a conducive environment for teaching and hands-on student research training in produce handling.; 2) Procure new produce quality diagnostic and handling equipment with students' involvement in procurement processes; and 3) Train students and CES staff to be peer and community instructors and to enhance student-faculty collaborative research. The project objectives align with the legislative goals of: (1) acquire, alter, or repair facilities or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research; and (2) support tropical and subtropical agricultural research, including pest and disease research by focusing on the following AGFEI's and by extension, RIIA's need areas that include:i) 'Enhanced Conduct of Activities in Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Research' (AGFEI's) and ii) 'Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching and Research' (RIIA's). The project will acquire new state-of-the-art scientific equipment for postharvest, produce quality diagnostics. The new equipment will contribute to the stated need areas through enhanced and effective training of students in modern produce quality control monitoring in agricultural commodity supply chain. USDA grading standards, nutritional quality, and storage of different tropical foods. Such training will significantly contribute to bridging the critical gap between inadequate personnel trained in agriculture produce management in the USVI and the strategic need for younger generation of agricultural experts in the territory.
Project Methods
Procedures for accomplishing the Obj.1 will include:Construct one bathroom for females and one-half bathroom for males. OCFS building has only one half-bathroom (a toilet) that currently serves both males and females including visitors. To avoid extreme alterations to the blueprint of the existing building one of disused storage rooms will be repurposed into a females-only full bathroom with a toilet and a showerhead. The existing half-bathroom will be repurposed for use by males only. The males will continue to use a full bathroom which is situated in a separate building within the Agricultural Experiment Station premises. The new shower room is important in keeping high level of food handling hygiene and a necessary convenience for the female staff and students. The extra full bathroom will not require a separate sewer system.Repurpose the exterior lobby area into 10 x 8 sq. ft extra lab and office space (see blue perimeter in Figures 1 through 3). We will use 8 ft x 16 inch, 1-inch-thick PVC walling board panels, metal bar reinforcements and floor tiling. All these materials are cheaply available in local stores such as Home Depot on St. Croix.Fix doors and repair air-conditioning (A/c) fixtures. The OCFS building has six large double-doors and a walk-in cold (4 - 10 oC) room accessed from the outside. Only two doors will be necessary, one in the east section and one in the west section of the building (see Figure 2). Reducing the number of doors will improve air conditioning and energy use efficiency. The extra door space will be sealed by adding a layer of wooden panels and insulation. The AC requires clearing of blocked chiller conduits.Repaint walls, roofing facer boards. The exterior and interior walls and facer boards (riming the roof) will be painted with two coats of durable, dust resistant paint. The old paint is chipping off and this poses the risk of food contamination and a potential hazard to staff, students and visitors.Procedures for accomplishing the Obj.2 will include:We shall procure high throughput and non-destructive fruit and vegetable diagnostic tools and equipment coupled to, and remotely interfaced with computers. This will enhance student appreciation and learning of how skills acquired from other practical courses such as instrumentation, chemistry, biology, and computer-based sciences are applicable in the agricultural field. The new tools and equipment will also enhance student-faculty collaborative research into improved protocols and tools for produce quality evaluation. Students will be trained in product specifications, functionality and how to determine the most cost-effective brands. Such training will facilitate their active participation in the procurement processes.Procedures for accomplishing the Obj.3 will include:Undergraduate students will be trained as trainers of trainers (ToTs). Two ToTs will be retained per semester (except the first semester when remodeling will take place) to act as peer mentors to the subsequent cohort of ToTs on a revolving basis. A total of 16 ToT students will be trained in the three-year project period. Every student trained will be the ToTs for subsequent semester under the supervision of the PD and Co-PD. Training in the first semester of the project will include equipment and lab supplies procurement in addition to equipment fundamental principles and hands-on applications in quality assessments and postharvest trait diagnostics.Students in senior and junior grades will mentor students in lower grades (e.g., Sophomores and Freshmen). All ToTs will be involved in training and giving lectures and presentations to visiting students on classroom tours, and agricultural producers. We expect that at least 60 non-TOT student learners in each semester and a total of 540 in the three project years will benefit.In liaison with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, Marketing Division, Students will share their experiences by giving talks to be aired on local radio stations and print media at no additional cost.