U.S. Virgin Islands
Virgin Island Sustainable Farm Institute
At it’s heart, the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute (VISFI), in the island of St. Croix, is a place to simply relax and get closer to food. VISFI is more of an experience than a place or a concept. We work hard to provide certified organic food to the small island of St. Croix, and exist to inspire others to do the same in their home communities through our educational programs. Most of the land is devoted to the regeneration of nature after hundreds of years on intensive agriculture from the sugar cane era. Our small gardens and outdoor demonstration classrooms are arranged to provide a full cycle of holistic living, from sustainable building, to solar power, organic cropping, animal husbandry, slow food cooking, nature connection, and community mentoring. We have native restoration areas, vegetable gardens, bamboo groves, hundreds of planted fruit trees, chickens, sheep, goats, a donkey, and ample room to explore.
VISFI was founded by Ben Jones in 2003 as a regenerative permaculture and agroecology model project. After serving as VISFI’s Executive Director for 7 years Ben is now focusing on developing a healing center with his wife Sylvie Augustin.
VISFI was founded by Ben Jones in 2003 as a regenerative permaculture and agroecology model project. After serving as VISFI’s Executive Director for 7 years Ben is now focusing on developing a healing center with his wife Sylvie Augustin.
Services
Contact | What Makes Us GreenVISFI promotes the development of agroecology: an innovative field of agriculture that enjoins productivity with resource conservation, using ecological and indiginous management models to create sustainable life systems. We believe local, organic agriculture and a practical educational experience are the first steps toward building vital communities and achieving long term sustainability within a healthy environment. These beliefs led to the establishment of our Four Pillars: Education, Sustainability, Community, and Environment. We use these focal points to guide decisions that will promote our farm’s vision.
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