COLLEGE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
 OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands


 Message From Arthur A. Richards
 President, College of the Virgin Islands

 The people of the Virgin Islands have shown serious concern
 about the exorbitantly high cost of food as well as about the poor
 quality of fresh produce imported into the territory.
 The cost of shipping to our islands, largely due to the energy
 crisis and the lengthy time involved in moving goods from main-
 land producers to local outlets, are some of the basic reasons for
 the high prices and poor quality of food items available in our is-
 lands. In view of these factors, the theme of the 11th Annual Ag-
 riculture and Food Fair, "Make Ends Meet, Grow What You Eat",
 is most appropriate. This theme correctly underlines the emphasis
 that must be placed on greater food production locally.
 At the College of the Virgin Islands, our main functions are in-
 struction, research, and public service. Our land-grant programs are
 actively pursuing these three avenues as a means of strengthening
 the agriculture sector of our economy. The basic objective of our
 Associates of Arts degree in agriculture is to offer our students
 both formal classroom instruction and informal laboratory learning
 experiences in the area of food and agriculture. Research is being
 conducted at the Agricultural Experiment Station in six areas.
 Agronomy research continues to develop the potential of sorghum,
 forage grasses, and legumes as island-grown sources of high protein
 animal feeds. Horticulture involves both fruit and vegetable pro-
 duction studies, varietal improvement and the development of
 minimum water use information. Our animal scientists continue to
 improve our unique breed of Senepol cattle by collecting breed in-
 formation and by on-the-farm performance testing. Aquacultural
 researchers are developing fresh water pond fish culture systems
 and "back-yard" fish-farming methods. Investigations are in pro-
 gress to determine the nature of ciguatoxin, fish poisoning, and to
 develop a reliable test for its ciguatoxicity. Pest and pesticide man-
 agement research is directed toward providing a locally relevant
 strategy of alternatives in pest control.
 The Cooperative Extension Service offers public services to all
 Virgin Islanders through its offices on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and
 St. John. Presently the extension service offers its educational pro-
 grams in the area of farming and natural resources, community de-
 velopment, human nutrition, home and family living, 4-H clubs,
 integrated pest management and agricultural energy. The emphasis
 in the farming programs is to encourage local production through
 helping home gardeners and commercial farmers. Encouragement
 of cooperatives and the production of materials relating to eco-
 nomic development are areas of emphasis in the community devel-
 opment program. Expansion of 4-H clubs in schools and housing
 projects is providing services in areas of human nutrition, family
 financial management, and clothing construction. Comprehensive
 survey of pesticide use patterns in the Virgin Islands; training for
 certification of the many users of restricted-use pesticides; and pro-
 viding assistance in energy conservation methods in a Virgin Islands
 farm environment are some of the other areas that the extension
 staff is pursuing.
 I urge all citizens to visit the College of the Virgin Islands
booths at the fair and learn more about our programs and services.
 The College is pleased to co-sponsor the Annual Agriculture and
Food Fair. I commend the board of directors and all the other per-
sons who worked diligently to insure the success of this 1981 An-
nual Agriculture and Food Fair.



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