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| Edna Alfred |
Their stories begin with deep roots.
For Alfred, agriculture was a way of life from the start. Raised in a family of farmers in St. Lucia, she moved to St. Croix in 2007, bringing with her a quiet determination and a deep love for the land. Before enrolling at UVI, Alfred worked in agriculture for years—first at the Gallows Bay Hardware Garden Shop, then at Island Fresh Aquaponics, where she helped cultivate bok choy, cucumbers, lettuce, and collard greens in six greenhouses. When the farm shut down, she found herself at a crossroads—but instead of stepping away from agriculture, she leaned into it.
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| Zavira Wilson |
Wilson’s connection to agriculture was just as natural. Born on St. Croix and raised both in the Territory and in Oregon, she grew up surrounded by nature and farmers—her parents among them. After finishing high school in Oregon, she returned to St. Croix to pursue horticulture at UVI. Her time in the program with its mix of traditional and adult learners exposed her to a variety of perspectives. “Many of us were learning these things for the first time,” she said. “The adult students brought insights I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Alfred’s entry in the program happened more by chance. She initially intended to enroll in UVI’s horticulture certificate program, but a technical error placed her in the new associate degree track. Rather than switch, she stayed—and never looked back. Three years later, she’s graduating with pride as a single mother of two.
“UVI gave me more than I expected,” Alfred said. “It opened my eyes to a much broader world—sustainability, animals, soil health, and science.”
Mentors like Dr. Arthur Petersen, Jr., Dr. Annette James, and Dr. Carollyn Boykins Winrow played a crucial role in nurturing her passion and building her confidence.
Wilson found her own mentors as well. She credits Dr. Annette James for pushing her to work harder and going above and beyond for her students, and Christine Cruz, special assistant to School of Agriculture Dean Dr. Usman Adamu, for being a strong support system.
Internships were pivotal for both women. For Alfred, a 10-week summer internship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed her to visit farms, share resources, and conduct soil sampling—making a direct connection between classroom learning and real-world impact. Wilson’s defining moment came during a summer internship in Hawaii, where she worked with breadfruit and collaborated with scholars from the University of Hawaii. The experience inspired her to pursue her bachelor’s degree there, focusing on plant science or environmental management.
On St. Croix, Wilson is spending this summer working at East End Marine Park, where she will map trees and identify those of historical and cultural importance. She’s also a passionate climate activist and envisions a future helping people engage with agriculture and wildlife on her home island. While at UVI, she founded the local chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), a student organization that provided both social connection and professional development opportunities.
Meanwhile, Alfred maintains a small garden at home to nourish her family and hopes to find work in sustainable farming. Her long-term goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree and deepen her knowledge even further.
Together, Alfred and Wilson are not just the first to earn this degree—they are planting the seeds of transformation, proving that with resilience, curiosity, and vision, their futures are ripe for success.
Wilson found her own mentors as well. She credits Dr. Annette James for pushing her to work harder and going above and beyond for her students, and Christine Cruz, special assistant to School of Agriculture Dean Dr. Usman Adamu, for being a strong support system.
Internships were pivotal for both women. For Alfred, a 10-week summer internship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed her to visit farms, share resources, and conduct soil sampling—making a direct connection between classroom learning and real-world impact. Wilson’s defining moment came during a summer internship in Hawaii, where she worked with breadfruit and collaborated with scholars from the University of Hawaii. The experience inspired her to pursue her bachelor’s degree there, focusing on plant science or environmental management.
On St. Croix, Wilson is spending this summer working at East End Marine Park, where she will map trees and identify those of historical and cultural importance. She’s also a passionate climate activist and envisions a future helping people engage with agriculture and wildlife on her home island. While at UVI, she founded the local chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), a student organization that provided both social connection and professional development opportunities.
Meanwhile, Alfred maintains a small garden at home to nourish her family and hopes to find work in sustainable farming. Her long-term goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree and deepen her knowledge even further.
“Agriculture is hard work,” Alfred says. “But if you love it, it’s worth it.”
Together, Alfred and Wilson are not just the first to earn this degree—they are planting the seeds of transformation, proving that with resilience, curiosity, and vision, their futures are ripe for success.
