Of Seed and Soil

Virgin Islands Good Food
  • 5.0 (1)
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Hosted by Sommer Sibilly-Brown, founder of the Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition, “Of Seed and Soil” seeks to digitize the often untold and uncelebrated stories of farmers, fishers, producers, and food advocates from across the Virgin Islands and wider Caribbean. Through heartfelt interviews and candid conversations, the series invites listeners to reflect on the deep relationship between food, memory, identity, and resistance.

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 13: “Youth Growing the Future”

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 13 Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, host Sommer Sibilly-Brown sits down with Zavira Wilson, a student at the University of the Virgin Islands and an emerging voice advocating for youth engagement in agriculture and community leadership. Zavira represents a new generation of Virgin Islanders who understand that food security, community safety, and youth empowerment are deeply connected. Through her work and studies, she is helping to inspire young people to see agriculture not only as a career path, but as a powerful tool for strengthening communities and creating opportunities for the future. In this episode, Zavira and Sommer discuss:     •    Why youth involvement in agriculture is essential for the long-term sustainability of the Virgin Islands     •    How agriculture can play a role in building safer, more connected communities     •    The importance of mentorship, education, and opportunity for young people interested in farming and food systems This episode is a reminder that the future of food in the Virgin Islands is already taking root in the hearts and hands of its young people. Learn more at: https://www.goodfoodvi.org Follow us on Facebook:   / goodfoodvi  Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodfood_vi... Subscribe and follow for more conversations with the farmers, advocates, and leaders growing a more resilient food system in the Virgin Islands.

    49 min

  2. May 21

    Episode 12: “It Takes a Village to Feed a Village”

    Send us Fan Mail In this special installment of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, host Sommer Sibilly‑Brown sits down with Tarik and Tamara McMillan, co‑founders of Greater Changes LLC, a liberation‑focused behavioral health and wellness agency rooted in Caribbean culture and community empowerment.  Together, they explore the holistic power of building community around farmers—not only through physical support but through emotional, cultural, and mental well‑being as well. This episode shows that farmers do not flourish in isolation; they thrive when the whole community actively champions their work, sustains their spirit, and removes the stigma around mental health that so often burdens those who carry the heaviest loads.  In this episode, they discuss: ---Why supporting farmers mentally and physically is essential for resilient local food systems ---How Caribbean family values and shared history shape collective nourishment and mutual care ---The role of community in sustaining farmers’ well‑being—not as an optional add‑on but as a core component of food sovereignty This episode is a reminder that genuine food justice lives at the intersection of care, connection, and shared responsibility. When we invest in each other—body, mind, and spirit—we cultivate more than food: we cultivate community. 🌱 Learn more at: www.goodfoodvi.org 📲 Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfoodvi 📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfood_vi 🎧 Subscribe and follow for more conversations that nourish the heart, elevate the land, and remind us why we grow together.

    51 min

  3. May 14

    Episode 11: Inheriting Land, Carrying Responsibility

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 11 of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, we speak with daughter of the soil, Emmanuella Perez-Cassius, a generational landowner, consumer advocate in St. Croix, who shares a deeply personal and practical conversation about what it means to inherit land and truly honor it. With land passed down from her grandfather and father, Emmanuella offers a candid look at the responsibility that comes with ancestral land ownership. She speaks to the challenges and opportunities of managing land as both a sacred inheritance and a working asset, while advocating for policies and practices that support consumers and economic sustainability. In this episode, Emmanuella explores: -----The emotional, cultural, and financial realities of being a land steward -----The importance of being an informed consumer -----The need for Virgin Islanders to maximize land ownership for themselves and future generations -----Her personal journey of learning, leading, and building through the lens of community empowerment This episode is a testament to what it looks like when legacy meets leadership, and how land plays such an important role.  🌱 Learn more at: www.goodfoodvi.org 📲 Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfoodvi 📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfood_vi 🎧 Subscribe and follow for more rooted conversations with the people building the food future of the Virgin Islands.

    46 min

  4. May 7

    Episode 10: Cultivating the Future of Agriculture in the Virgin Islands

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, we speak with Louis Emanuel Petersen, Jr., Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, about the bold path forward for food and farming across the territory. A lifelong advocate for agriculture with ancestral roots in farming, Commissioner Petersen shares how his upbringing, education, and return home to the Virgin Islands shaped his vision for a thriving, self-sustaining food system. His passion for agriculture runs deep, not just in policy, but in practice, mentorship, and legacy-building. In this episode, Commissioner Petersen discusses: His personal journey back to the land and what it means to serve his community through this work The intention and purpose behind the Territorial Agricultural Plan Why agriculture is a viable business opportunity and a path to economic resilience The Department’s efforts to expand staff capacity and strengthen local support systems His commitment to recruiting and inspiring young Virgin Islanders to return home and enter agriculture This episode is both a roadmap and a call to action—inviting a new generation to plant roots, grow businesses, and feed the territory with pride and purpose. Learn more at: www.goodfoodvi.org Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfoodvi Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfood_vi Subscribe and follow for more stories from the land, the leaders, and the local visionaries shaping the future of food in the Virgin Islands.

    43 min

  5. Apr 30

    Episode 9: Collaboration Is the Soil

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 9 of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, we hear from Dara Monifa Cooper, a long-time food system advocate, connector, and visionary based in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. For decades, Dara has been a quiet force in the movement—uplifting farmers, sharing critical information, building bridges, and pushing for systems-level solutions that reflect the power and potential of Virgin Islanders. Whether through grassroots work or organizational partnerships, her leadership is grounded in collaboration, accountability, and collective liberation. In this episode, Dara shares: -----Why cross-sector relationship-building is essential to a thriving food system -----How we can hold each other accountable while still moving forward in love and alignment -----Her vision for how Virgin Islanders can create solutions from within that sustain both land and people This is a thoughtful and energizing conversation with someone who has long been doing the behind-the-scenes work to keep our farming community informed, empowered, and connected. Dara reminds us that liberation isn’t a solo act—it’s a collective rhythm rooted in trust, transparency, and shared purpose. 🌱 Learn more at: www.goodfoodvi.org 📲 Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfoodvi 📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfood_vi 🎧 Subscribe for more stories that honor the people, land, and relationships shaping the future of food in the Virgin Islands.

    44 min

  6. Apr 23

    Episode 8 | Land Is Memory, Land Is Power

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 8 of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, we are  joined by Tarik McMillan—a son of St. Croix, a licensed trauma clinician, and a powerful voice in the movement for land stewardship and justice in the Virgin Islands. Tarik brings a deeply rooted perspective as both a mental health professional and an advocate for land ownership, cultural preservation, and resistance to gentrification. With a background in trauma-based counseling and community healing, he speaks candidly about the emotional, spiritual, and generational connection to land, and what it means when that connection is threatened. In this episode, Tarik explores: What gentrification really looks like in the Virgin Islands—and how it differs from development The role of land stewardship as a form of self-determination and healing Why community-based land ownership must be central to our food and freedom movements This is more than a conversation about policy—it’s a grounded and necessary discussion about belonging, sovereignty, and the right to remain. 🌱 Learn more at: www.goodfoodvi.org 📲 Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfoodvi 📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfood_vi 🎧 Subscribe and tune in to more stories that connect food, land, healing, and the future of our islands.

    45 min

  7. Apr 9

    Episode 7: A Chef’s Perspective on Food, Culture, and Community

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 7 of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, we sit down with Chef Ralph Motta—a St. Croix native whose deep love for the Virgin Islands and fresh, local ingredients has shaped his culinary journey. From childhood curiosity to professional kitchen, Chef Motta shares how growing up in the Virgin Islands informed not only his palate but also his purpose as a chef. In this thoughtful conversation, he talks about the cultural importance of food, supporting local farmers, and why fresh, sustainable ingredients matter—especially in a place as unique as the VI. In this episode, Chef Motta discusses: --How growing up in St. Croix inspired his passion for cooking. --Why the Virgin Islands’ food culture is worth preserving and celebrating --The chef’s role in advancing local food systems and sovereignty Whether you are a foodie, a farmer, or someone passionate about community-led food systems, this episode offers a grounded and flavorful take on the deeper meaning behind what we eat. 🌱 Learn more about Chef Motta’s work: mottacuisine.com 🌍 Visit Virgin Islands Good Food: www.goodfoodvi.org 📲 Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfoodvi 📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfood_vi 🎧 Subscribe and follow for more real stories from the people growing, cooking, and transforming our food futures in the Virgin Islands.

    51 min

  8. Apr 2

    Episode 6: “Mama Benita: Roots, Rights, and Revolution”

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 6 of Of Seed and Soil: Unincorporated Voices of Food, Farming, and Freedom, we’re honored to spotlight one of the enduring pillars of food justice and cultural stewardship in the Virgin Islands: Mama Benita Martin of We Grow Food, Inc. Born in Detroit and rooted in Chicago before finding home in the hills of Bordeaux, St. Thomas, Mama Benita has spent decades cultivating more than crops—she’s cultivated community, culture, and consciousness. In this episode, Mama Benita shares her journey and reflections as: -----A farmer, educator, and founding force within the Bordeaux farming movement -----A mother, mentor, and disability rights advocate supporting inclusive access to land and opportunity -----A powerful public speaker, grant writer, and culture bearer uplifting African identity in the U.S. Virgin Islands -----A tireless activist connecting the dots between food, land, education, and liberation Whether she’s representing We Grow Food at national conferences or lending a hand to sister farmers on St. Croix, Mama Benita leads with vision and love. This episode is a tribute to her legacy, her laughter, and the life she’s dedicated to growing justice from the ground up. Learn more at: www.goodfoodvi.org Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfoodvi Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfood_vi Subscribe for more unfiltered, rooted, and revolutionary voices from the land.

    47 min
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About

Hosted by Sommer Sibilly-Brown, founder of the Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition, “Of Seed and Soil” seeks to digitize the often untold and uncelebrated stories of farmers, fishers, producers, and food advocates from across the Virgin Islands and wider Caribbean. Through heartfelt interviews and candid conversations, the series invites listeners to reflect on the deep relationship between food, memory, identity, and resistance.

Information

  • Creator
    Virgin Islands Good Food
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Of Seed and Soil
  • Show Website
    Of Seed and Soil