Kosrae Cooperative Extension Service

COM and Partner College Staff attend the National Extension and Research Administrative Officers Conference (NERAOC)2024 Conference in Delaware

April 7, 2024

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 staff attend 31st COM-FSM Foundation Day celebrations

April 2, 2024

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

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij attends North Pacific Aqua Trading Company staff’s Sustainable Sea Cucumber Aquaculture presentation with Pohnpei State Governor, Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph and Pohnpei State Government Fisheries and R& D staff.

March 19, 2024

According to a press release from the Office of the Governor of Pohnpei State on March 19, 2024,

North Pacific Aqua Trading Corporation, represented by General Manager Westcott Panuelo, delivered a compelling business presentation at the Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture (OFA) conference room to Governor Joseph and key stakeholders.

The presentation outlined the corporation’s proactive approach to address concerns regarding foreign exploitation of local natural resources, particularly sea cucumbers, with minimal benefits to local communities and environmental sustainability.

Mr. Panuelo highlighted the increasing demand for sea cucumbers in China and emphasized the historical significance of these marine creatures as a traded commodity in our region, known as beche-de-mer.

The proposed business strategy entails a two-phase approach. The first phase focuses on infrastructure setup, collaboration with COM Land Grant for hatchery support, and community training. The second phase involves expansion and enhancement, with projections of creating over 200 job opportunities.

Acknowledging the importance of government support, Mr. Panuelo stressed the need for regulatory amendments to ensure adherence to best practices and practicality. The corporation plans to establish 50 sea cucumber farms, with 30 located within local communities, offering them a chance to participate in and profit from aquaculture activities.

Furthermore, Mr. Panuelo outlined plans to eventually allow community members to purchase shares in the corporation, fostering local ownership and involvement in the enterprise.

Governor Joseph praised the vision presented by North Pacific Aqua Trading Corporation, aligning with his administration’s goals of addressing food security, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, and promoting sustainable practices within local communities.

Expressing his excitement for the partnership, Governor Joseph assured Mr. Panuelo and his team, including Mr. Aspen Apis and Enlet Enlet Jr., of the full support and cooperation of the Pohnpei State Government in realizing this ambitious and beneficial initiative.

Also present during the presentation were: Mr. Stanely Lorrenij Executive Director of COM Land Grant, Mr. Clayton Hedson, Acting Administrator of OFA, Mr. Eugene Eperiam, Acting Director of the Department of Resources and Development, Mr. Jorg Anson – Nominee for the position of OFA Administrator and Mr. Mark Kostka – Nominee for the position of Director of the Department of Resources and Development.

News feature source: Press release Office of the Governor, Pohnpei State

Pictured from left to Right from far-left corner: Mr. Westcott Panuelo Mr. Stanley Lorennij , Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph, Governor, Pohnpei State Government, Mr. Mark Kostaka, Mr. Aspen Apis and Enlet Enlet Jr at Pohnpei State Office of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference Hall in Pohnpei, March 19, 2024(Picture credit Office of the Governor, Pohnpei State)

A view during the presentation on Sustainable Sea cucumber Aquaculture done by Mr. Westcott Panuelo, North Pacific Aqua Trading Corporation to the group at the Pohnpie State Office of the Fisheries and Aquaculture in Pohnpei on March 19, 2024 ( Picture credit Office of the Governor, Pohnpei State)

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College of Micronesia-FSM Marine Science & Aquaculture Class visits COM Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery

March 19, 2024

On March 19, 2024, Students from the College of Micronesia-FSM’s Marine Science & Aquaculture class, guided by science instructor Peltin Olter Pelep, embarked on a site visit to the COM Nett Point aquaculture hatchery. The students were introduced to the sea cucumber hatchery operations methods, from broodstock collection, spawning, and larval rearing, Nursery -1 in the incubator, and lectures on Nursery-2 and grow-out farming methods.

Led by the hatchery project staff members Rex, Clayton, and Balenko, the students were given an overview of the incubator’s operations and species samples via microscope for observation.

Instructor Peltin demonstrated his interest in and support for the hatchery’s efforts, especially its role in promoting sustainable practices of Micronesian marine resources. He emphasized the importance of conservation efforts to safeguard the sea cucumber species from overharvesting in the wild. Peltin encouraged his students to consider internships at the hatchery, recognizing the greater opportunity for them to gain professional skills and knowledge in sustainable aquaculture practices.

Instructor Peltin hopes to take his students to the nursery farms at Nihco Marine Park and Grow-out farms later to observe and learn about the third and fourth stages of the Program, Nursery-2 and Grow-out, respectively.

COM-FSM Marine Science Students with instructor Peltin Olter Pelep during their visit to COM Land Grant Nett Point Hatchery on March 19, 2024

COM-FSM Marine Science Students observing and learning the techniques of larval rearing from COM Land Grant Nett Point Hatchery staff

COM-FSM Marine Science Students learning the techniques of spawning from Hatchery staff and COM-FSM Marine Science Alumni Rex Edmund

North Pacific Aqua Trading Company staff meets with Pohnpei State Governor, Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph to brief him on their plans to develop a sustainable Sea cucumber farming business in Pohnpei with COM Land Grant technical help.

March 15, 2024

According to a press release from the Office of the Governor of Pohnpei State on March 13, 2024,

Local entrepreneurs Mr. Westcott Panuelo, Mr. Aspen Apis, and Mr. Enlet Enlet Jr. paid a courtesy visit to Governor Joseph to introduce their innovative business venture, North Pacific Aqua Trading. The trio shared their vision of establishing a sustainable enterprise centered around the sale of sea cucumbers, harnessing the rich natural resources of our ocean.

North Pacific Aqua Trading aims to leverage the support of COM Land Grants Nursery and technical expertise on sea cucumbers to create a thriving business that aligns with environmental sustainability. The entrepreneurs expressed their commitment to responsible resource utilization and their desire to contribute positively to the local economy.

During the meeting, the entrepreneurs requested a follow-up session to elaborate further on their business concept and discuss potential collaborations with the Pohnpei State Government. Governor Joseph congratulated the trio for their entrepreneurial spirit, commended their dedication to sustainability, and assured them of his full support.

Governor Joseph shared insights from a prior meeting with COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorrenij, who hinted at exciting project collaborations on the horizon. The Governor supported the idea of key personnel from the Pohnpei State Government joining the entrepreneurs’ presentation to foster collaboration and enhance the success of North Pacific Aqua Trading.

This promising initiative exemplifies Pohnpei State’s commitment to sustainable development and responsible business practices. As the entrepreneurs prepare for the follow-up meeting, anticipation grows for North Pacific Aqua Trading’s potential positive impact on the local economy and environment.

News feature source: Press release Office of the Governor, Pohnpei State

Pictured from left to Right: Mr. Aspen Apis, Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph, Governor, Pohnpei State Government, Mr. Westcott Panuelo and Mr. Enlet Enlet Jr at Governor’s office in Pohnpei, March 13, 2024, 2024 ( Picture credit Office of the Governor, Pohnpei State)

A view of the meeting between Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph and the North Pacific Aqua Trading Group team at the Governor’s office in Pohnpei on March 13, 2024 ( Picture credit Office of the Governor, Pohnpei State)

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NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra recognizes the College of Micronesia’s EFNEP Program at the Annual EFNEP Conference in Washington, DC

March 13, 2024

NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra recognized the efforts of the College of Micronesia at the Annual Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Conference, which was held from February 23-24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. He especially read COM’s success story (2023 EFNEP Impacts (usda.gov)) among the other 79 participating universities. The meeting was attended by COM EFNEP Program Coordinator Mrs. Margaret Weital.

NIFA Director Manjit Misra also presented Margaret Weital with a certificate for her outstanding service to the program over the last 15 years.

According to NIFA, The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is the nation’s first nutrition education program for low-income populations. It remains at the forefront of nutrition education efforts to reduce nutrition insecurity of low-income families and youth today.

EFNEP is a Federal Extension (community outreach) program that currently operates through the 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Universities (LGUs) in every state, the District of Columbia, and the six U.S. territories – American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA), EFNEP uses education to support participants’ efforts toward self-sufficiency, nutritional health, and well-being. EFNEP combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data to ensure program effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.

Further information about EFEP can be obtained here About EFNEP | NIFA (usda.gov)

Note: We will post pictures about this achievement as soon as we receive them officially from NIFA.

COM_EFNEP_SUCCESS_STORY_2024 Download

The College of Micronesia Land Grant Executive Director, Mr. Stanley Lorennij, meets Dr. Anne McDonald, Director of Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan.

March 13, 2024

Dr. Anne McDonald, Director of Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, met with COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij and made a courtesy call to him. Dr. McDonald and Researcher Dr. Iain Hall are in Pohnpei as consultants for the GCF Grant for the FSM Government and Pohnpei State.

During the discussions, Dr. Anne McDonald briefed Executive Director Stanley Lorennij on her roles and responsibilities at the Island Sustainability Institute. She also provided updates on the different programs and projects conducted at the Institute and the potential for collaborative efforts between COM partner colleges and Sophia University regarding Students enrolling in a fully funded Master’s program in Environmental Sciences there. Dr. McDonald was particularly interested in the COM Aquaculture Program, especially the Sea cucumber project, and explained her efforts in the conservation of sea cucumbers while working in Japan. She will explore possibilities of student and research staff exchanges between Sophia University and the COM system. Dr. Iain Hall, a visiting researcher at the Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, and Dr. Manoj Nair, in charge of aquaculture at the COM Central Office, also participated in the meeting.

Pictured from left to Right: Stanley Lorennij, Executive Director, COM Land Grant, Dr. Iain Hall, Visiting Researcher, Island Sustainability Institute, Dr. Anne McDonald, Director, Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan at COM Central Office in Pohnpei March 13, 2024, 2024

Pictured from left to Right: Doman Daoas, CFO, COM Land Grant; Ricardo Vera Cruz, Business Manager, COM Land Grant Program; Dr. Anne McDonald, Director, Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan; Dr. Iain Hall, Visiting Researcher, Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan and Engly Ioanis, WSARE Coordinator, at COM Central Office in Pohnpei March 13, 2024

Director, Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, visit COM Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery

March 9, 2024

Dr. Anne McDonald and Dr. Iain Hall, Director and Visiting Researcher, respectively, at the Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, are in Pohnpei as part of helping Pohnpei State to finalize its Food Security Policy. The team showed interest in COM Land Grant Aquaculture Program activities and visited the COM Land Grant Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery in Pohnpei on March 9, 2024.

The team observed the Sandfish sea cucumber larval rearing activity and interviewed the Micronesian staff under Dr. Manoj R Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture Technology Development, Rex Edmund, and Clayton Maluwelgiye about different aspects of the sea cucumber hatchery, nursery and farming program and how they work towards improving ordinary Micronesians’ livelihoods.

Dr. McDonald was impressed with the program and encouraged project staff Rex to apply for a Master’s degree program at her university for his professional development.

Pictured from left to right: Clayton Maluwelgiye, Dr. Iain Hall, Dr. Manoj Nair, and Dr. Anne McDonald at the COM Land Grant Nett Point hatchery in Pohnpei.

College of Micronesia Land Grant Executive Director, Mr. Stanley Lorennij and his staff at the COM Central Office meet Governor of Pohnpei State, Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph

February 27, 2024

Pictured from left to Right: Grace Lorrin, Administrative Assistant COM Land Grant Central Office; Haraline Ramirez, Secretary for COM Land Grant Board of Regents; Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph, Governor of Pohnpei State. Stanley Lorennij, Executive Director, COM Land Grant, Doman Daoas, CFO, COM Land Grant, and Ricardo Vera Cruz, Business Manager, COM Land Grant Program at the Governor’s office in Pohnpei February 27, 2024 ( Photo and news credit: Pohnpei State Public Information, Office of the Governor)

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij did a courtesy call on Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph, the newly elected Governor of Pohnpei State. COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij extended congratulations to Governor Joseph and provided updates on the program and discussed potential collaborative efforts.

Hon. Stevenson A. Joseph expressed his thanks and gratitude for the of a close partnership with the College of Micronesia Land Grant and Pohnpei State Government to benefit the lives of the local population.

During the discussions, The Hon. Governor emphasized The Pohnpei Food Security Policy and the importance of engaging non-governmental organizations (NGOs), particularly at the grassroots and community levels. Governor Joseph cited successful examples of NGOs cultivating sea cucumber and rabbitfish, contributing to sustainable practices and economic development.

During the meeting, COM Land Grant Executive Director updated Hon Governor Joseph about the upcoming construction of a new office building for the College of Micronesia Land Grant, Hon. Governor Joseph expressed his full support for the proposed new office in Kolonia, Pohnpei

College of Micronesia Land Grant staff meet in Yap State, FSM to finalize the next COM Land Grant Plan of Work

February 22, 2024

COM Land Grant Administrators, Researchers and Extension Agents under the leadership of Executive Director Stanley Lorennij met at in Yap State of FSM from February 10-18, 2024 at the Yap State Early Childhood Education Conference Hall to finalize the next COM Land Grant Plan of work (COMLG-POW) to be undertaken by the COMLG staff at the three partner Colleges:- College of Micronesia -FSM, College of the Marshall Islands and Palau Community College. The team discussed the needs of stakeholders of the three countries and discussed ways to incorporate those needs in the next COMLG-POW to be submitted to National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA for approval and implementation. Annual Accomplishment Reports of the staff from each partner college were also presented and deliberated upon during this meeting.

Executive Director, COM Land Grant; Stanley Lorennij, inaugurating the POW meeting in Yap on February 10, 2024

COM Land Grant team discussing the Annual Accomplishment report and the new COMLG-POW

PCC Land Grant staff train and install a soil probe in Yap

February 14, 2024

During their attendance at the Plan of Work meeting in Yap from February 10-17, 2024, PCC Land Grant Vice President Dr. Christopher Kitalong, along with Director Lyndon Masami, Senior Extension Agent Elchung Hideyos, and Field Assistant McKnight McArthur, was involved in a climate change demonstration project. Elchung and McKnight demonstrated and trained CRE staff from FSM and RMI on using this all-in-one soil probe device. This soil probe measures weather, soil, hydro’s, salinity, etc. data. This data from the probe will help improve agriculture management practices and contribute to the long-term productivity and sustainability of taro cultivation systems, especially in the face of climate change. McKnight did a demonstration training on how to build the probe for the other islands. Elchung gave a presentation explaining the different parts of the soil probe, and she was also able to train the other extension agents on how to use the app to collect data and access the cloud. PCC-CRE already has 10 probes installed all around Palau from Kayangel, Ngeremlengui, Melekeok, Airai, Ngermid, Ngerbeched, Peleliu, Angaur, and even Hatohobei. This trip to Yap added the number 11th probe. Expanding this tool to the other CREs in FSM and RMI will give us a better understanding and comparison of taro cultivations in the Micronesian region to support our community in the face of climate change.

(PCC staff pictured from left to right: Director Lyndon Masami, Field Assistant McKnight McArthur, Senior Extension Agent Elchung Hideyos, and Vice President Dr. Christopher Kitalong)

(Field Assistant McKnight McArthur (center), demonstrating how to set up the soil probe to Senior Extension Agent Lajkit Rufus (middle) and CMI Food Technology Researcher Tebio Tamton )

(Field Assistant McKnight McArthur (left), demonstrating how to set up the probe to COM -FSM Pohnpei CRE Coordinator Trisden Elias (right))

(Installed Soil probe in a Taro patch in Yap)

COM Land Grant Executive Director Meets COM-FSM President, Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono and COM-FSM IT Consultant, Dhiraj Bhartu

January 26, 2024

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij met with COM-FSM President Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono and COM-FSM IT Consultant Dhiraj Bhartu at the COM-FSM President’s office at Palikir, Pohnpei, on January 26, 2024. The meeting discussed, among other things, collaboration possibilities of COM and COM-FSM with revamping and upgrading the COM Land Grant website. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture, accompanied the COM Executive Director at this meeting.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Manoj R Nair, Director, Chief Scientist, Aquaculture; Stanley Lorennij, Executive Director, COM Land Grant; Dhiraj Bhartu COM-FSM IT Consultant; COM-FSM President, Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono

Hon. Joe Bejang is the RMI Minister of Education and the new COM Land Grant Board Representative for the RMI.

January 15, 2024

Hon. Joe Bejang is the new RMI Minister of Education and is the new COM Land Grant Board representative for the RMI. He took office on January 4, 2024. Hon. Joe Bejang replaces long-time RMI Regent, Hon. Wilbur Heine, the Minister of Education of the previous Government and the current RMI Senator from Mili Atoll. COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij and the entire Land Grant team welcome RMI Regent Hon. Joe Bejang

Hon. Joe Bejang, RMI Minister of Education and the new COM Land Grant Board Representative for the RMI (photo courtesy: Sports & Extracurricular Program – SEP, RMI Ministry of Education )

Hon. Joe Bejang, RMI Minister of Education and the new COM Land Grant Board Representative for the RMI, at a facilitation ceremony at the RMI Ministry of Education SEP Program (photo courtesy: Sports & Extracurricular Program – SEP, RMI Ministry of Education )

PCC Engineer visits Pohnpei to design the new COM Land Grant Central Office

January 15, 2024

Palau Community College (PCC) Engineer Devine Claire Ragundi is in Pohnpei from January 7-11, 2024. She met with Executive Director Stanley Lorennij and other COM Land Grant Central Office staff regarding the design and cost for a new COMLG Central Office building in Kolonia at the existing site or at the COM-FSM National campus. She will prepare designs and a rough estimate of the cost of the new office at the two locations chosen for the COMLG Executive Director. Devine also had meetings with COM-FSM President Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono and Director of Maintenance Mr. Francisco Mendiola at the COM-FSM National campus in Palikir, Pohnpei FSM, regarding another office location at the COM_FSM National campus in Palikir. The COMLG Executive Director will, in turn, present these designs for discussion at the COMLG Board meeting at Majuro on 16-17. The COM LG Executive Director expresses gratitude and thanks to PCC President Dr. Patrick Tellei for letting COMLG avail the services of PCC Engineer Devine C. Ragundi

Devine Claire Ragundi, PCC Engineer with COM Land Grant Executive Director, Stanley Lorennij at COM Central office in Kolonia, Pohnpei

Current COM Land Grant Central Office location in Kolonia (Site-1)

Survey and discussions at COM-FSM National Campus, Palikir (Site-2)

COM-FSM National Campus, Palikir site view -1

COM-FSM National Campus, Palikir view -2

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets Hon. Daniel Edgar, District Administrator, Nett District Government, Pohnpei State

October 31, 2023

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij paid a courtesy visit to meet Hon. Daniel Edgar, District Administrator, Nett District Government, Pohnpei State, at the Nett District Government Office. The Executive Director thanked the Hon. District Administrator for the Nett District Government’s continued support of the COM Land Grant Aquaculture Hatchery and demonstration farms at Nett Point. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture, also attended the meeting.

From left to Right: Stanley Lorrenij, COM Executive Director Hon. Daniel Edgar (District Administrator, Nett District Government, Pohnpei State), Dr. Manoj Nair, Director, and Chief Scientist Aquaculture at the Nett District Administrator’s office in Nett on October 31, 2023.

Blue Prosperity Micronesia and National Geographic Pristine Seas visit COM Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery to interview and film a feature on how COM Land Grant Aquaculture’s Sea cucumber farming program.

October 26, 2023

Blue Prosperity Micronesia and National Geographic Pristine Seas conducted a Nationwide Marine Science Expedition in the Federated States of Micronesia. As part of this exercise, A filing crew from the expedition visited the COM Land Grant Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery and the Awak Community sea cucumber farm in Awak, U Municipality in Pohnpei on October 26, 2023.

The team interviewed the Micronesian staff under Dr. Manoj R Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture technology development. Rex Edmund, Belenko Halverson, and Clayton Maluwelgiye on their personal and professional experiences as project staff and how they work towards improving ordinary Micronesians’ livelihoods.

Later, the team visited the Awak community farm in Awak, U Municipality, Pohnpei, interviewed community members, and observed first-hand farmed sea cucumber samples and how the project staff collected project data.

Blue Prosperity & National Geographic Pristine Seas team interviewing Rex Edmund at Nett Point Hatchery.

Blue Prosperity & National Geographic Pristine Seas team filming data collection at the Awak sea cucumber farm site. Project staff Belenko Halverson and Rex Edmund are collecting data on farmed sea cucumbers. The Awak Sea cucumber farm can be seen in the background.

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets the Speaker of the Pohnpei State Legislature, Hon. Marvin Yamaguchi

October 23, 2023

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij paid a courtesy call to the Speaker of the Pohnpei State Legislature, Hon. Mr Marvin Yamaguchi, at his office in Kolonia, Pohnpei, on October 23, 2023. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director of Aquaculture COM Central office, accompanied the Executive Director at this meeting

From left to Right: Stanley Lorrenij, Hon. Marvin Yamaguchi (Speaker of Pohnpei State Legislature), Dr. Manoj Nair, and Honl Speaker’s secretary. Pictured at the Speakers Chambers during a courtesy call on October 19, 2023.

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets the Governor of Pohnpei State, Hon. Reed Oliver

October 19, 2023

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Pohnpei State, Hon. Reed Oliver, at his office in Kolonia, Pohnpei, on October 19, 2023. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director of Aquaculture COM Central office, and Mr. Hubert Yamada, Director of Resources and Development, were also present at this meeting

Pictured from left to Right: Dr. Manoj Nair, Stanley Lorrenij, Hon. Reed Oliver (Governor of Pohnpei), and Hubert Yamada (Director, Resources and Development). Pictured at the Governor’s office during a courtesy call on October 19, 2023.

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets the Administrator, Office of the Fisheries and Aquaculture (OFA), Pohnpei State, Mr. Dakher Abraham

October 16, 2023

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets the administrator of the Office of the Fisheries and Aquaculture, Pohnpei State, Mr. Dakher Abraham, on October 16, 2023, at his office in Kolonia, Pohnpei. During the courtesy call, the COM Executive Director discussed with the Administrator the commitment of the COM Land Grant Aquaculture program to fulfill the needs of Pohnpei State. He offered full cooperation to the efforts of the OFA to further develop aquaculture in Pohnpei State. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture, also attended the meeting.

Executive Director Stanley Lorennij (left) with OFA Administrator Mr. Dakher Abraham (right)

Stanley Lorennij takes over as the new COM Land Grant Executive Director.

October 1, 2023

Mr. Stanley Lorennij took over as the full-time COM Land Grant Executive Director from acting interim executive director and VP COM-FSM Land Grant Steven Young Uhk on October 1, 2023. Earlier, Stanley Lorennij was the VP of CMI Land Grant in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. The position fell vacant when long-time Executive Director Dr. Singeru Singeo retired in March 2023.

Interim COMLG Executive Director Steven Young Uhk (left) and New COM LG Executive Director Stanley Lorennij at the COMLG employees welcoming party at Hideaway Restaurant in Kolonia, Pohnpei

Focus on Food Helps Solve Climate Change

February 19, 2020

Steven Young-Uhk
Director, Cooperative Research and Extension, College of Micronesia-FSM

A paper co-authored by Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai (Research Scientist at Cooperative Research and Extension, College of Micronesia-FSM, Yap Campus) released today by the journal Nature Food presents a new global food system approach to climate change research that brings together agricultural production, supply chains, and consumption. When these activities are considered together, they represent 21 to 37 percent of total human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, the paper notes. It says that this new approach also enables a fuller assessment of the vulnerability of the global food system to increasing droughts, intensifying heatwaves, heavier downpours, and exacerbated coastal flooding. Food system responses thus play a major role in both adapting to and mitigating climate change, the authors assert.

The authors of the paper worked together on the Food Security chapter of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Climate Change and Land. They represent a wide range of food systems from around the world, from major commodity and livestock producers to smallholder farming systems.

“The global food system approach represents a significant advance in helping producers and consumers plan effective and well-integrated climate change responses,” said Cynthia Rosenzweig, the lead author and head of the Climate Impacts Group at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Concurrent with the paper, FAO is releasing today new emission statistics for the period 1990-2017 that provide the shares of agriculture and related land use in total emissions from all economic sectors, for all countries (http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/EM).

“To address sustainable development and climate challenges, the food system approach helps countries implement a range of context-specific responses on adaptation and mitigation,” said Cheikh Mbow, one of the co-authors and director of Future Africa.

“The food system is under pressure not only from climate change but also from non-climate stressors such as population growth and demand for animal-sourced products. These climate and non-climate stressors are impacting the four pillars of food security. Diversification of fo

**Food system components, linkages, and outcomes**

od system by establishing integrated production systems, broad-based genetic resources and balanced diets incorporating plant-based foods can reduce risks from climate change,” said Dr. Muru.

To respond to climate change via their food systems, countries can now move beyond supply-side mitigation in crop and livestock production, which has been the traditional approach, to encompass demand side strategies, mainly dietary changes.

Food system components, linkages, and outcomes
One answer to the climate crisis is on our plates. Plant-based diets reduce the amount of methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas released by ruminants. They also require less land, thus sparing areas that can be used to plant trees and store more carbon. When both these effects are combined, the maximum amount of greenhouse gas reduction achievable through dietary change is up to 8 billion tons of CO₂e per year, say the authors (total anthropogenic emissions are currently about 52 billion tons per year).

Healthy and low-emission diets that are primarily plant-based can also reduce the burden of key non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, say the authors.

Access the paper, here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-020-0031-z

Yap CRE promoted local food production methods during World Food Day 2018

October 23, 2018

Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension. YAP, FSM.

Yap observed World Food Day 2018 on Friday, October 19^th. This event was organized by Yap Interagency Nutrition Education Council along with local partners. Yap CRE participated in the event showcasing a variety of locally produced fresh vegetables adopting small farm models.

World Food Day is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger. Held annually on 16th October, people from around the world come together to declare their commitment to eradicate worldwide hunger from our lifetime. The theme of this year’s event was “Our Actions Are Our Future: A #ZeroHunger World By 2030 is Possible.”

The new report, State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018 confirms that the number of people suffering from hunger has been growing over the past three years, returning to levels from almost a decade ago. Multiple forms of malnutrition are evident in many countries, including Micronesia, adult obesity is growing even as forms of undernutrition persist. Climate variability and extremes are key drivers behind this rise, together with conflict and economic downturns. The report reveals new challenges on the road to #ZeroHunger, while setting out urgent actions needed to achieve the goal by 2030. The report suggests the need to strengthen local and global food systems to help more children and families access nutritious, affordable and sustainable diets.

Since 2017, Yap CRE is partnering with Catholic Relief Services in ACT on Yap Project to support island communities and smallholders to enhance their agriculture strategies with outreach, technical assistance and extension trainings in climate adaptive techniques to make local food production more resilient to extreme weather events. The ACT on Yap Project participants joined World Food Day 2018 event by displaying and selling their garden produce. This event was also a forum to recruit interested participants to this project. We encourage everyone to engage in community gardening activities to enhance local food production and cater the needs of the island population. This would not only help to attain self-sufficiency but also reduce carbon footprints in the long run.

Whether you are a business, farmer, public servant, or simply someone who is willing to make a change, you can take action for #ZeroHunger!

What can you do to help achieve #ZeroHunger?

Do not waste food
Produce more with less
Adopt a more healthy, sustainable diet
Advocate for #zerohunger

Fresh garden produce from ACT on Yap project participants on sale during the event.

Cocopith – An ecofriendly growing choice

October 8, 2018

Yap, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension. YAP, FSM.

As with any garden, soil preparation is what really counts when it comes to growing successfully in containers. It’s the foundation. It’s the staff of life. In other words, selecting a right potting mix for your plants is key to success. Skimp on the soil, you will get weak, non-productive crops that require more work to maintain and are susceptible to all kinds of pest problems.

For years, Yap CRE has been promoting container gardening among communities for growing vegetables owing to some obvious challenges with native soils for field cultivation. The two predominant types of soils – upland soils underlain by volcanic material and upland soils underlain by schist – have different properties and therefore, behave differently and they need different management strategies. In our pursuit of finding a local alternative to soil, we found that coconut husk as an ideal medium for growing plants in containers. Coconut husk is made up of natural fibers called coir along with parenchymatous, spongy material coirpith that binds the fiber in the husk. Being made up of sclerified tissue, coconut fiber as such doesn’t retain much water at all. However, it does two things in the media: it creates aeration through voids it leaves in the coir, and it also gives the media optimal structure to further prevent compaction, which is important to having a healthy root zone. The pith acts like micro sponges where the moisture is stored. The fiber and the pith together make a great media with an excellent air to water ratio.

Over the years, we standardized a method to make a suitable potting mix from discarded coconut husks (click to see fact sheet). See the link for a video of preparing potting mix from coconut husk. We thank Dr. J.B. Friday of CTAHR, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa for assistance with the flyer and for producing the video.

Yap CRE Outreach Programs – Cultivating Healthy Communities Through Vegetable Gardening

March 10, 2018

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension. YAP, FSM.

Yap CRE outreach programs continue to enthuse island communities and off-island visitors alike with rich array of climate-smart, nutritious vegetable production systems as demonstrated through participation in the annual cultural celebrations.

Yap celebrated 50^th edition of Yap Day from February 28 to March 2, 2018. It is that time of the year when island communities get together to celebrate Yap Island’s most colorful days with traditional dances, crafts, competitions and demonstrations on local development programs.

With continued efforts to reach out to the communities through research, extension and education activities, Yap CRE’s veggie stall showcased various climate smart food production systems and low-cost urban garden models of nutritious vegetables. These climate smart food production systems were developed and tested earlier under a Hatch Project from USDA. Further, these were field tested and scaled up among community settlements across Yap under Climate Adaptive Agriculture and Resilience (CAAR) Project funded by USAID-Pacific American Climate Fund. These vegetable production systems explicitly address climate resilient development through adaptation efforts at the community level that reduces vulnerability by securing nutrition under a changing climate. A variety of nutritious vegetables from Yap CRE demonstration gardens and CAAR Project beneficiaries’ kitchen gardens were on display and sale.

Visiting diplomats, dignitaries, national and state government officials, traditional leaders and other community members commended on Yap CRE’s outreach efforts promoting nutritious vegetables to enhance food and nutrition security of island communities. A great teamwork of CRE staff, ag interns, work-study students and CAAR Project beneficiaries brought success to our participation in Yap Day 2018 celebrations.

Dr. Muru with US Ambassador Robert Riley, US Deputy Chief of Mission Joanne Cummings, Australian Ambassador George Fraser and Japanese Ambassador Ryoichi Horie.

Integrated research and outreach on in vitro multiplication, sustainable, organic and climate-smart commercial cultivation of black pepper

January 21, 2018

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) a flowering vine of Piperaceae family, is valued for its dried berries called peppercorns, which are used as a spice and for medicinal purposes. Native to the humid jungles of the Malabar Coast of Southwestern India, the plant is cultivated in the tropics worldwide. In Micronesia, it is gaining commercial importance as an important cash crop because of premium price. Traditionally, the trunks of two cultivars of large native tree fern (Cyathea nigricans) are used as supports for black pepper cultivation. However, short life-span of these tree ferns along with the rapid decline in their population due to increasing use of tree trunks for construction, is becoming a limitation for commercial black pepper cultivation in the region.

Therefore, to promote sustainable black pepper cultivation in the region, an integrated research, outreach and education project entitled, ‘Black pepper micropropagation for elite seedling production: Comparison of local practices and commercial cultivation methods’ was initiated by the Project Director Dr. Virendra M. Verma. This project is approved and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for Micronesia. This project is of great significance as it is specifically designed to develop black pepper micropropagation and nursery management systems to produce and ensure the year-round availability of identical, disease-free and high-quality planting material. The objectives of the project include: finding alternative supports to overcome the limitations caused due to shortage of tree ferns, determining appropriate fertilizer type and doses, along with the development and publication of a commercial black pepper cultivation guide appropriate for Micronesia.

This project is first of its kind not only in the Micronesian region but also in the Pacific region because it is integrating and employing multiple latest tools and technologies such as plant biotechnology, horticulture, microbiology, plant physiology and plant pathology for sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial cultivation of black pepper. The project is utilizing plant biotechnological techniques such as in vitro cloning for uniform black pepper plantlet production, greenhouse acclimatization of cloned black pepper plantlets for elite, disease-free seedling production, automatic fertilizer injectors for uniform fertilizer application, and organic fertilizers to provide essential nutrients and maintain beneficial soil microorganisms along with appropriate site-specific and climate-smart horticultural, plant physiological and integrated pest management practices. The project activities also include educating local farmers in site-specific sustainable agricultural practices, and providing appropriate recommendations and training for sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial black pepper production in the region.

Successful execution of project objectives has resulted in the development of a highly efficient and reliable in vitro cloning method for multiplication and production of elite, uniform and diseases-free black pepper plantlets, and acclimatization of hundreds of cloned plantlets into uniform and diseases-free seedlings of a locally preferred and commercially important black pepper cultivar Piper nigrum cv. Srilanka through appropriate nursery management systems.

Considering the extremely limited availability of traditional tree fern supports and their very short lifespan, non-living supports such as reinforced cement-concrete standards have been specifically designed and constructed at pilot site to support the vines of fully acclimatized black pepper plants in the field. In addition, raised beds, which ensure perfect water drainage, organic fertilizers for soil amendment along with organic mulching, and automatic fertilizer injectors which provide perfect nutrition, were used for the establishment and maintenance of black pepper plantations.

Research trials for commercial black pepper cultivation have been designed, and implemented at pilot site, and data collection is in progress for analysis. The outcomes of this analysis would be ultimately used for the development and publication of a commercial cultivation guide to specifically suit the needs of local farmers. The project is also conducting comparative research study of local black pepper cultivation practices and sustainable commercial cultivation methods. Pilot site is being developed and would be used as demonstration site to carry out research, outreach and education activities of the project to encourage and promote sustainable commercial black pepper production among local farmers in the region. Recommendations for sustainable black pepper production would be provided through training workshops, hands-on trainings, farm visits, and field days.

The overall aim of the project is to develop sustainable black pepper production systems in Micronesia by providing elite and disease-free seedlings, appropriate recommendations for commercial black pepper production such as sustainable, organic and climate-smart technology and developing skills and improving the agricultural knowledge of local farmers. Adoption of new practices such as micropropagation of black pepper for improved and enhanced productivity will ultimately help in reviving local black pepper industry. Furthermore, this project would provide opportunities for income generation and profitable self-employment to the participating farmers. In addition, the pilot site is serving as an excellent cultivation model to encourage other farmers and rural communities in successfully adopting the sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial black pepper production practices. Enjoy these photos of this project!

COLLEGE OF MICRONESIA

LAND GRANT PROGRAM

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