Progress report for WSP18-009
Project Information
Professional development and capacity building is very important to new generation of agriculture extension agents, many of them have only completed a 2-year AS degree without or limited field experience. They should be empowered with knowledge and skills to help farmers and homemakers cope with the mostly unfamiliar effects of climate change on local production. Capacity building continues to be the mainstream for state implementation activities in Micronesia. It is timely that we look back and evaluate progress of previous SARE involvement and to identify issues and how realign project activities to meet with current demands in the field and on the household level.
Instead of the project focus on assessment and documentation of previous projects, it was decided to take representatives of the different colleges in Micronesia to 2 events, one being the 30th anniversary of SARE held in St. Louis and the second the annual SARE Coordinators meeting in Guam. A total of 3 Extension agents, a researcher, and an administrator were involved. All participants reported they learned a lot from the conference and the SARE Coordinators meeting. All of them indicated they met and have established linkages with professionals from other states and regions.
Participants (Liaisons/Ext. Agents) able to support clients in terms of providing technical assistance and sharing SARE information and published materials. Finally a connection is established between SARE Liaison and SARE State Coordinator. Other outcomes for all participants to include 1 or 2 of those listed below:
– Types of seeds, germination, and management of seedlings in the nursery.
– Some farmers, especially backyard gardeners believe chemical fertilizers reduce soil fertility,
– How to make compost the benefits of using compost in the field.
– Health benefits from eating vegetables
– Opportunity to grow and sell vegetables based on type and volume of import
– Cultural methods of specific vegetable crop
– Most farmers do not know or have the info on the number of days from planting to harvest
– Most farmers sell their products without knowing the cost of production (COP)
– Recognition and how to deal with pests and diseases
– Concepts of preservation and value-added
– Effect of climate change of agriculture in general
Advisors
- (Educator)
Education
Participants learned from plenary and breakout sessions, posters, and from the displays demonstrations during farm tours and used the knowledge and skills acquired in their dealing with specific topics during outreach.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
To understand the concepts and benefits of specific sustainable agriculture practice.
Management of papaya including recognition and how to fully utilize each type.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Face of SARE
Participants to the conference in St. Louis and the meeting in Guam, as well as the SARE team visits to different islands following the sARE Coordinators meeting in Guam, impacted participants, other extension agent’s and various offices, e.g. Dept of Education, Agriculture offices, and other individuals including businesses who catered (food ad refreshments) during the visits. Many of those who were exposed to the visits learned for the first time what SARE is all about. One important outcome is more discussions the CRE Coordinator, CRE Coordinators, at each site, and relevant offices and NGOs.