National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) extramural grant funding agency for agricultural research, education, and Extension programs. A senior seven-member NIFA delegation under the leadership of Dr. Dionne Toombs, NIFA Associate Director for Programs, visited the Republic of Palau State to attend the four-day Conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) in Koror State, Republic of Palau from April 27 to May 3, 2024.

In addition to the NIFA team, the four-day conference was attended by Mrs. Doreen Hauser-Lindstorm, Executive Director of the Western Extension Director’s Association (WEDA), Dr. Bret W. Hess, Executive Director of the Western Association of Agriculture Experiment Station Directors (WAAESD), Dr. Douglas Steele, VP of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and Dr. Paul Lewin, Executive Director of the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC).

Delegations from sister Land Grant Institutions in the region, namely: University of Hawaii at Manoa Cooperative Extension, Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Services, University of Guam, College of Natural & Applied Sciences, America Samoa Community College, Agriculture, Community, and Natural Resources Division. Representatives of the College of Micronesia-FSM and the College of the Marshall Islands also participated in the conference.

The conference’s main focus was highlighting the College of Micronesia Land Grant program activities through the cooperating partner colleges and the impacts of those regional programs. Furthermore, the NIFA team and others from relevant agencies were made aware of the issues and challenges faced by the College of Micronesia Land Grant programs in the Micronesia region.

The conference was coordinated by a joint team from the College of Micronesia Land Grant Program under Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij and the senior leadership of PCC, including COM Board of Regent Chair Dr. Emais Roberts, PCC President Dr. Patrick Tellei and Dr. Christopher Kitalong, Vice President PCC CRE.

Pictured from left to Right: Dr. Brent Elrod, Senior Programs Officer, Office of the Director, NIFA; Alexis Nazario-Negron, NIFA Director of Planning, Accountability and Reporting; Kellyann Jones, NIFA Program leader, Institute of Youth, Family, and Community; Dr. Dionne Toombs, NIFA Associate Director for Programs; Dr. Suzanne Stluka, Deputy Director Institute of Food Safety & Nutrition (IFSN); Elizabeth Kerling, NIFA Senior Grants Management Specialist, Award Management Divison, posing in front of Palau Community College in Koror, Republic of Palau.

A group photo was taken on Day 1 at the conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) on April 29, 2024.

Execitive Director adressing the gathering on Day 2 at the conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) on April 29, 2024.

COM Executive Director Stanley Lorennij chairing a meeting with representatives of the Colleges in the region. From the right to the left of Director Stanley; Dr. Aufa I Apulu Ropeti Areta, Director of Programs at Amercian Samoa Community College, Agriculture Community and Natural Resources Division; Dr. Jeremy Elliot-Engel, Associate Dean & Associated Director, CES, University of Hawaii at Manoa Cooperative Extension, Dr. Rachael Leon Guerrero, Dean University of Guam CNAS, Dr. Adedayo Ogunmokun, VP, CMI-CRE; Steven Young Uhk, VP, COM-FSM-CRE; Mrs. Patricia Coleman Interim Dean Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension & Education Services and Dr. Christopher Kitalong, VP, PCC -CRE on Day 2 at the conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) on April 30, 2024.

From the left; Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Agriculture Research Scientist, COM-FSM, Yap CRE with Mr. Mark Googag, COM-FSm Yap-CRE Coordinatior working on a group activity related to Yap at the conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) on Day-4, May 2, 2024.

From the left : Dr. Manoj R. Nair Acting Associate AES Director & Aquaculture Research Scientist, COM; Doman Daoas, CFO,COM (sitting); Steven Young Uhk, VP, COM-FSM CRE; Trisden Elias COM-FSM Pohnpei CRE Coordinator and Engly Ioanis, Acting Associate CES Director & Livestock Specialist, COM (sitting) working on a group activity related to Yap at the conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) on Day -4 , May 2, 2024.

A group photo of the COM-FSM CRE 4 State coordinators explaining their work on trditional foods and medicines in Micronesia to the Conference representatives . From left to right : Mark Googag, COM-FSM Yap CRE Coordinator; Kalvin Assito, COM-FSM Chukk CRE Coordinator; Trisden Elias, COM-FSM Pohnpei CRE Coordinator and Mrs. Kenye Killin, COM-FSM Kosrae CRE Coordinator, taken on Day 4 of conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) on May 2, 2024. On the far right, MC of the Conference, PCC CRE Agriculture Research Aide, Emengel Singich is seen taking pictures.

A photo of the CMI CRE Senior Extension Agent Lajikit Rufus explaining the work on trditional foods and medicines in Marshall Islands to the Conference representatives taken on Day 4 of conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) on May 2, 2024.

A photo of the PCC CRE Agriculture Research Aide, Emengel Singich explaining the work on trditional foods and medicines in Marshall Islands to the Conference representatives taken on Day 4 of conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) on May 2, 2024.

Dr Chris Kitalong , V.P. PCC-CRE and McKinght McArthur Field Assistant, Agriculture, PCC -CRE explaining to the group the data collection methodology of soil probes set up at a farm site in Koror, Palau on May 2, 2024

Dr Patrick Tellei, President PCC explaining to the group about Palau traditional house construction and the significance of their traditional design in Koror, Palau on May 2, 2024.

Mr Bachat Arsenio (foreground in green tee) from the Koror State Solid Waste Management Office explaining the recycle efforts at Koror State to the Conference representatives during the field trip on Day 4 of conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC) on May 2, 2024.

A group photo of the support team from PCC and PCC-CRE led by PCC-CRE Senior Agent Elchung Hideyos who helped in the smooth conduct of the Conference.

On the sidelines of the Conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC), COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij met with Dr. Rachael Leon Guerrero, the new Dean for the University of Guam, College of Natural & Applied Sciences.

Dr. Guerrero, who was earlier the EFNEP Coordinator, just replaced Dr. Lee Yudin, the long-time Dean of the Land Grant Program at the University of Guam. Mrs. Margaret Weital, College of Micronesia Land Grant EFNEP Coordinator, attended the meeting.

Pictured from left to Right: Mr Stanley Lorennij, Executive Director, COM; Margaret Weital, EFNEP Coordinator; and Dr. Rachael Leon Guerrero, Dean, University of Guam, College of Natural & Applied Sciences on Day 2 at the conference on USDA NIFA Land Grant Programs for USAPI and FAS Colleges at Palau Community College (PCC), May 1, 2024.

College of Micronesia Board of Regents, Partner College Presidents, VPs, and COM Central office Staff under the leadership of COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij met at Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia for the COM Board meeting from April 17-18, 2024.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the COM Land Grant Board of Regents members, the COM Land Grant Management team members, and COM Central office staff had a chance to visit the Korea-South Pacific Ocean Research Center (KSORC) facility in Chuuk. The Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) established the Korea-South Pacific Ocean Research Center (KSORC) at Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia, in 2000, with their main focus being Tropical ocean research and breeding technology in Chuuk.

Pictured from left to Right: Dr. Christopher Kitalong, VP CRE PCC; Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono, President COM-FSM; Dr. Elizabeth Switaj, Acting President CMI; Mrs. Suzanne Gallen, COM Board of Regent Vice-chair; Dr. Adedayao Ogunmokun VP, CMI CRE; Dr Emais Roberts, Chairman COM Board of Regents; COM Board of Regents, Mrs. Kathryn Relang, Secretary, COM Board of Regents; Dr. Patrick Tellei, PCC President; Mr. Kalvin Assito, COM-FSM CRE Chuuk Coordinator; Mr. Steven Young Uhk, VP, COM-FSM, CRE; and Mrs. Haraline Ramirez, COM Land Grant Executive Secretary, at Korea-South Pacific Ocean Research Center (KSORC) facility in Chuuk.

Korea-South Pacific Ocean Research Center (KSORC) staff explaining their research to the visiting team at the KSORC research facility in Chuuk.

College of Micronesia and Partner College administrative staff attended the annual National Extension and Research Administrative Officers Conference (NERAOC) 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware, from April 7-10, 2024, as part of their professional development and program.

The annual National Extension and Research Administrative Officers Conference (NERAOC) provides a venue for professional development, information sharing, and networking to state Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Experiment Station, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) staff. This includes sharing and exchanging current and relevant best practices, discussing policy, obtaining definitive interpretation of regulations, and discussing future issues pertinent to operating the Land-grant University (LGU) system and other cooperating institutions. The NERAOC serves individuals at Land-grant institutions in all regions as defined by the APLU Board on Agricultural Assembly (BAA) Experiment Station Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP) and Extension Section Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). NERAOC highlighted the Land Grant Institutions partnership with USDA-NIFA and all other communities. The conference aims to strengthen professional development and information sharing, including networking with colleagues nationwide through engaging presentations, hands-on sessions, and round table discussions.

Pictured from left to Right: Engly Ioanis, Livestock Specialist & Acting Associate Director CES, COM; Mrs. Linda Flowers, Head, Capacity Grant Section, NIFA, USDA; Dr. Manoj Nair, Aquaculture Research Scientist & Acting Associate Director AES, COM; Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Research Scientist, Agriculture, COM-FSM on the sidelines of NERAOC, 2024.

Pictured from left to Right are Doman Daoas, CFO, COM; Grace Lorrin, Administrative Assistant, COM; Dr. Manoj Nair, Acting Associate Director AES, COM; Malia Nii, Secretary, CMI CRE; Engly Ioanis, Associate Director CES, COM; and Mrs. Roselle Dogonon, Comptroller, COM-FSM, at NERAOC 2024, Wilmington, Delaware.

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij and other staff from the COM Central Office attended the 31st COM-FSM Foundation Day celebrations at PICS High School track and field on April 2, 2024.

The theme for this year’s COM-FSM Foundation Day was sports. The COM Central Office team witnessed the sporting activities of students representing the different states and campuses.

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij met with Dr Theresa Koroivulaono on the sidelines of the celebrations. Diplomats from different Missions also attended the celebrations.

Dr. Manoj Nair, Doman Daoas, Haraline Ramirez and Margaret Weital accompanied the Executive Director Mr. Stanely Lorrenij to show COM’s support and commitment to partner colleges.

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij in front of the VIP gallery at PICS track and field

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij and Dr Theresa Koroivulaono, President COM-FSM enjoying the Student sports at PICS track and field as part of the COM -FSM Foundation day celebrations in Pohnpei

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij with Dr Theresa Koroivulaono, President COM-FSMat the COM -FSM Foundation day celebrations in PICS track and field, Pohnpei

COM -FSM Students participating in the Games and Sports at the PICS, track and field in Pohnpei

Pictured from left to Right: Dr. Manoj Nair, Doman Daoas, Executive Director Stanley Lorennij and COM-FSM CRE coordination Trisden Elias at the COM-FSM Foundation Day celebrations in PICS track and field in Pohnpei

Pictured from left to Right: Haraline Ramirez and Margaret Weital from the COM Central Office at the COM-FSM Foundation Day celebrations in PICS track and field in Pohnpei