Final report for WMP22-001
Project Information
The Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (Western SARE) program in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) works collaboratively with extension professionals, farmers, ranchers, government agency personnel, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable agricultural technologies and programs in CNMI. The Western SARE program encourages participation of the members of local communities in activities that could inspire them to adopt and integrate sustainable agriculture technologies and practices into their agriculture, agroforestry, and livestock systems. Overall, greater productive capacity for local agricultural can be achieved by strengthening local food systems and by promoting concepts of sustainability and environmental stewardship, which will ultimately contribute to improved health, and economic income of local communities.
- Identify, evaluate and promote locally appropriate sustainable agricultural technologies
- Organize outreach activities for stakeholders to disseminate knowledge and increase visibility of the SARE programs and grants
- Assist stakeholders to develop SARE grant proposals
- Implement farmer-to-farmer trainings and workshops in the islands of Rota, Saipan, and Tinian
- Provide group and individual assistance to farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders
- Generate a large data base of soil chemical and physical characteristics to diagnose soil limitations and provide recommendations to increase crop yields. improve soil conditions and reduce adverse impacts
More than 90% of the food consumed in the CNMI are imported often from long distances, making the Northern Marianas Islands highly vulnerable to events that disrupt food shipments like typhoons Souderol in 2015 and Yutu in 2018. The vast majority of these food items are heavily processed, and generally unhealthy. In parallel, people's health in the region has deteriorated over the years with a high presence of diabetes and obesity. Farmlands in CNMI have become less productive because of unsustainable farm practices that harm the environment and diminish agricultural productivity. In recent years, however, there have been a renewed interest by people in the CNMI to engage in farming following family roots, desires for financial improvement, and initiatives to improving diets and health. The Western SARE program strengthens the local food systems and promote natural resource conservation.
Advisors
- (Researcher)
Education
The Western SARE program at the Northern Marianas College (NMC) - Collaborative Research, Education, and Extension Services (CREES) follows a multi-prong approach to assist farmers and other stakeholders the CNMI. It includes:
- Field hands-on activities at the As Perdido Experiment Station, the Kagman Agriculture Area, and farms in Saipan.
- Farmer-to-farmer trainings in Rota, Saipan, and Tinian.
- Training and supervision for proposal submission to Western SARE and other funding sources.
- Dissemination of new knowledge and information from previous projects to extension professionals. farmers, growers, ranchers, and students.
- Awareness activities to promote regenerative agriculture and sustainable natural resource management using radio, social media, and others.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Improve skills and knowledge of beginner farmers and other stakeholders in the CNMI.
- Farmers with the Kagman Agriculture Farms and Producers Association conducted farmer-to-farmer trainings on the island of Rota and Tinian in October and November 2024 and organized a workshop on Grants and Proposal Preparation for farmers to strengthen farmers' capacity to access funds from Western SARE and other organizations. Trainings were attended by 32 people, and the workshop had an attendance of 26. Training topics were production of banana, corn, and eggplant as well as sustainable pesticide use.
- In partnership with the Kumoi Farm which obtained a Western SARE Farmer-Rancher grant, a field day was carried out in Saipan focusing on management practices for swine production. It was attended by thirty people. The same farm also organized a community outreach event with three sections focused on swine production, agriculture, and livestock. There was no formal attendant count, but it was estimated that 400 people participated.
Beginner and aspiring farmers improved their skills and knowledge of farming practices, specialty crops, organic amendments and other topics.
Determine soil health indicators and physicochemical characteristics to promote sustainable and productive land use.
- One hundred eighty-four soil samples were collected on the islands of Rota, Saipan, and Tinian. One hundred sixty-two samples were analyzed for organic matter, pH, texture, and macro, and micronutrient concentrations in a laboratory in the continental U.S. Sample preparation before shipment was demanding because soils from the CNMI are considered as coming from a foreign country.
- Low levels of extractable phosphorus, potassium, and boron were observed in several soils. Soil organic matter content was high, and pH was neutral in most cases. Soils in Saipan had greater clay content than those in Tinian.
- Dr. Adrian Ares, CNMI Western SARE coordinator offered two seminars on soil health diagnostics and improvement based on soil analysis results from samples collected in Saipan and Tinian. This is probably the large soil dataset ever assembled in the CNMI. The seminars (Please see products) were attended by 14 and 22 people, respectively. A technical report and a scientific manuscript will be generated in 2026. Dr. Ares also discussed with farmers soil limitations in relation to terrain characteristics (low and high ground) and land use. In addition, the CNMI Western SARE coordinator and the program coordinator were available by phone, e-mail, and in person to provide technical information to farmers and stakeholders in the three main islands. They also disseminated relevant publications and outreach materials from previous projects.
Farmers were engaged in the soil sampling process to increased awareness about protocols for soil sampling and importance of soil health and management. The generated knowledge increased the soil knowledge base in Saipan and led diagnosis of limitation, and recommendations to increase crop production, produce marketability, and profitability.
Provide information and knowledge from several sources to NMC minority students interested in pursuing careers in agriculture and natural resources.
- Outreach content and hands-on-learning experiences were provided to students with the NMC Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) group at the As Perdido Experiment Station on Saipan in September of 2025. In addition to CREES personnel, programs such as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the USDA Natural Resources Soil Conservation Service had stations to interact with the students and other community members. Twenty-one students attended the event.
Students were enthusiastic to know more about different angles of agriculture and related environmental and social issues. They participated in field demonstrations about soil sampling and soil water content measurements.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
The WMP22-01 project (MSU Subaward ID#G267-22-W9215) paused between 2022 and 2024 after the departure of the CNMI Western SARE coordinator, Dr. Virendra Verma. A no-cost extension was granted in December 2024, until December 31, 2025,and Dr. Adrian Ares, NMC State Program Leader and Scientist, assumed the coordinator role. A Program Coordinator was hired to expand the scope and reach of SARE activities in the CNMI. Main outcomes during 2025 were 1) to create increased awareness among farmers and stakeholders of the importance of soil characteristics, management, and improvement, 2) to develop wide on-island and inter-island collaboration among farmers and other stakeholders to promote improved farming and ranching practices, and 3) to engage NMC students and others in Western SARE related activities.
N/A
The continuation of Western SARE projects and activities in the CNMI was well received by farmers and other stakeholders. Still, the year 2025 had significant challenges such as program reviews by the new US administration and changes in Western SARE top administration. The short period for the no-cost extension caused to rush some activities and expenditures. In some cases, attendance count and post-event evaluation in workshops, trainings, and field days were not complete. We are committed to improve this important aspect during the 2026-2027 events. We will also reach more stakeholders and give them more advanced notice about incoming activities.
Face of SARE
Information about SARE programs is being disseminated to farmers and other stakeholders in the CNMI by personnel of the Northern Marianas College/Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services. As a result, two grant proposals were submitted in 2024 within the Farmer + Rancher, and Professional + Producer programs. Experienced farmers will assist beginner farmers to prepare proposals for future submissions.