Palau, Micronesia – September 4, 2025 – The Executive Director, accompanied by the administrative staff from the COM Land Grant Program Central Office, attended the College of Micronesia Board of Regents meeting held at Palau Community College. This gathering brought together the Regents led by Chairman Emais Roberts of the Republic of Palau (ROP), Vice Chair Suzzane Gallen of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Secretary Treasurer Minister Gerald Zakios from the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Also in attendance were the presidents of the three partner colleges Dr. Patrick Tellei of Palau Community College (PCC), Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono of the College of Micronesia FSM (COM-FSM), and Dr. David Newnham of the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) who participated via zoom.

The agenda items for the meeting included the reviewing and approval of the minutes of the previous meeting in Pohnpei on April 22^nd, Communication – Policy and Resolutions), Endowment and Investment updates from Raymond James & Associates, FY25 Budget Report and FY26 Budget proposal, Quarterly updates from the central office and the Cooperative Research and Extension programs Vice Presidents, and a couple of Old and New Business items.

Other activities in the meeting schedule included a hosted dinner by Jason Miayashita of Raymond James & Associates on Fri Sept 5^th followed by a visit to Peleliu state on Sat Sept 6^th hosted by Peleliu Governor and Chairman of the Board of Regents Dr. Emais Roberts, PCC President and staff as well as the PCC CRE staff. The schedule concluded with a farewell dinner on Sun Sept 7^th hosted by Chairman Roberts and a close colleague & friend.

Standing from Left to Right (front row) Exec. Secretary to COMLG central Office, Lerhina L. Johnson,CMI Board of Regents, Hon. Gerald Zakios, Chairman of the Board of Regents, Dr. Emais Robert of ROP, Vice Chair of COMLG Board of Regents to the FSM, Suzann L. Gallen, President of COMFSM, Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono, Admin Assistance to the office of the president (PCC), Leilanie Miko, VP CRE to COMFSM, Steven H. Young. From Left to Right (front Row) Dr. Patrick Telley, President of PCC, Dr. Manoj Nair standing behind COMFSM President. Standing from left to Right (third row) Dr. Christopher Kitalong, Standing behind PCC President to his right, Executive Director, Stanley Lorennij, Standing behind First row, BOR Chariman, CES Director, Engly Ioanis, CMI CRE VP, Dr. Adedayao Ogunmokun, COMLG CFO, Doman Daoas, the rest are partner college VPS and Palau CRE staff and partner college staff.

The College of Micronesia’s Land Grant Program (COM LGP) recently hosted a three-day trainer’s workshop on animal health and production. The event was held at the CTEC building next to the COM- LGP office in Kolonia, Pohnpei, and brought together extension agents and other agriculture participants from Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The primary objectives of the workshop were to equip selected trainers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to master artificial insemination techniques in pigs with a special focus on reproductive management and care during estrus to ensure successful breeding outcomes, safety, and sustainable practices and approaches in poultry and free ranging.

The program opened with welcoming remarks from Pohnpei chief of agriculture Mr. Kordy Carl followed by a brief opening remark from the Executive Director of COM Land Grant. Throughout the workshop, participants were fully engaged in dynamic presentations showcasing cutting-edge techniques in livestock production. The interactive training platform not only involved knowledge sharing, but actual hands-on experiences. One highlight was the trainees visit to the Madolenihmw pilot farm where live individual demonstrations of swine seamen collection and artificial insemination was conducted—an intricate process requiring specialized skills to master.

Standing from right to left (second row): COMLG Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij, Associate Director for CES Mr. Engly Ioanis, and Pohnpei State Chief of Agriculture Mr. Kordy Carl (standing behind Mr. Ioanis). Also pictured are participants from the three Micronesian regional islands, along with staff members from the COMLG Central Office

Sitting from Left to Right (front row) Dr. David Newnham, President of CMI, Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono, President of COM-FSM,Vice chair of COMLG Board of Regents to the FSM, Suzanna L. Gallen, Chairman of the Board of Regents, Dr. Emais Roberts of Palau, newly elected Board of Regents, Hon. Gerald Zakios of RMI and Dr. Patrick Telley, presidents of PCC. The rest are central office administration personnel and partner college CRE Vice Presidents and program coordinators.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on March 20, 2025, the appointment of Dr. Jaye L. Hamby as the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). As Director, Dr. Hamby will lead USDA’s efforts to advance agricultural innovation, community outreach, and fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Dr. Jaye L. Hamby, NIFA Director ( picture credit: NIFA)

News source credit : www.usda.gov; Press Release Release No. 0059.25

From Feb 24th to Feb 28th, an administrative delegation from the COM LGP central office comprised of the Executive Director, Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) Associate Director and Cooperative Extension Services (CES) Associate Director visited Kosrae state to meet with Honorable Governor Tulensa W. Palik, Director Rolner L. Joe of the Department of Resources and Economic Affairs (DREA), Director Bruno Ned of Fisheries, private clam farmer Mr. Martin Selech and the COM-FSM Kosrae campus Cooperative Research & Extension (CRE) team. The primary purpose of this visit was to discuss further and expose the COM LGP system, its specific programs, and operations to key stakeholders in the state of Kosrae, as well as build collaborative and partnership efforts to improve and maximize delivery outcomes and impacts in food security, health, and economic development in the communities as well as to conduct needs assessment.

Dr. Kay K. Soe (aquaculture researcher), Mee Mee (agriculture researcher), Kenye Killin (Kosrae CRE Coordinator) Back L-R: Dr. Manoj Nair (AES Associate Director), Engly Ioanis (CES Associate Director), Stanley Lorennij (Executive Director) and the Honorable Governor Tulensa W. Palik.