Drought Declared in USVI, Farmers Can Request Financial Support

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS —After eight weeks of severe drought conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made a Drought Disaster Declaration for St. Thomas and St. John earlier this month.

This is more than just a weather announcement. Once an official USDA Secretarial Drought Declaration has been made, farmers can access funding for livestock forage, thereby receiving much-needed relief.

The announcement came after long-term efforts to improve weather monitoring throughout the territory. Several agencies were involved, including Governor Bryan's Drought Task Force, the VI Department of Agriculture, and the University of the Virgin Islands' Caribbean Green Technology Center.

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