(Washington, DC, September 13, 2006) — Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development section has recently awarded the Virgin Islands Farmers Cooperative, Inc. a grant of $172,950.

This funding is part of the Small Minority Producer Grant program and will be used to conduct a feasibility study, marketing plan development, business plan and training to determine the economic feasibility for dairy farm activities and production of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.

For additional information regarding this grant please contact the V.I. Farmers Cooperative, Inc. at 9B Castle Burke, Frederiksted, St. Croix,  00840.