Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
- Crop Production: agroforestry, application rate management, alley cropping, contour farming, cover crops, cropping systems, drainage systems, intercropping, nurseries, organic fertilizers, seed saving, shade cloth
- Education and Training: demonstration, display, extension, farmer to farmer, technical assistance, workshop
- Pest Management: biological control, cultivation, cultural control, disease vectors, mulches - general, sanitation
- Soil Management: composting, green manures, organic matter, soil quality/health
- Sustainable Communities: quality of life
Abstract:
Professional development for capacity building is very important to the new generation of agriculture extension agents, many of them only have completed a 2-year AS degree without or limited field experience. They should be empowered with knowledge and skills to help farmers and gardeners cope with the unfamiliar effects of climate change, pests and disease, and the adoption of new technologies to 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. To some extend assessment is being done as component of outreach activities, however, the idea and intent of documentation of previous projects was not feasible due to a number of reasons including change in priorities and funding. It was decided to take representatives of the different colleges to accompany the SARE coorinator to 3 workshops and conference meetings: (1) the 30th anniversary of SARE (ATTRA) conference in St. Louis, 3 participants; (2) the annual SARE coordinators meeting in Guam, 2 participants; (3) the Vermiculture workshop in Raleigh, NC; 2 participants. A total of 3 Extension agents, a livestock expert, a researcher, and a 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.
Project objectives:
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