Transfer of Research Based Knowledge in Agriculture in the American Pacific

View the project final report

• 2006 annual report
• 2007 annual report

Commodities

• Animals: poultry, goats, swine

Practices

• Education and Training: demonstration, display, extension
• Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

There are five main Land Grant institutions in the American Pacific. The Colleges of Micronesia and Northern Marianas have satellite stations in each of their islands. Each main campus and station has research scientists and extension professionals that conducted research and demonstration trials to solve problems affecting the agriculture industry in the region. There was a tremendous increase of research activities of extension agents and producers with Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE) grants in the past 5 years. Many of these grants have valuable information and findings that can provide beneficial solutions to different aspects of agricultural problems encountered across the region. However, the dissemination of the results of these studies, research, and demonstration conducted in the American Pacific has been limited to the local site where the grant has been conducted. Because the islands are scattered in a vast area of the Pacific Ocean, the transfer of knowledge is not available and therefore not fully utilized. The applications and recommendations out of these grants address issues common to the region and should be made accessible to the agricultural workforce. This grant aims to expand the transfer of research-based knowledge and information in agriculture that developed from the region. Culturally, new ideas and discoveries that evolved in the region are readily accepted and adapted by extension agents and producers. Two methods will be used to conduct the transfer of information. Technical reports from these grants will be converted to tabloid size fact sheets. The information will be simplified for easier reading and understanding for extension agents, agricultural professionals, and farmers. Fifty to 80 fact sheets will be mailed to 86 extension professionals and producers. Another method to be utilized will be conducting 4 local/state and 1 regional conference. Each Land Grant institution will hold a conference for all grants awarded and conducted in their area. Then, from all these grants, 15 to 20 grants will be selected for a regional conference to be held at the University of Guam. These conferences will have both oral and poster presentations. Several benefits for the extension professionals and producers in the region will come out of this grant. The transfer of information will generate more options and opportunities for the agriculture industry in the American Pacific. Knowledge becomes a powerful tool. The positive findings out of these grants will reach out to the entire region. The experience of the extension agents doing a presentation during the local and regional conferences will encourage them to participate in national and international conferences.

1. This grant aims to expand the transfer of research-based knowledge and information in agriculture that developed from the region. Culturally, new ideas and discoveries that evolved in the region are readily accepted and adapted by extension agents and producers.