College of Micronesia – FSM receives funding from U.S. DOA Farm Bill

Palikir, Pohnpei - November 30, 2009 - Since 2005, the Vice President Cooperative Research and Extension (VP-CRE) in collaboration with Vice President Instructional Affairs (VPIA) has received funding directly under the US Department of Agriculture Farm Bill. This fund is for educational programs in Agriculture and Natural Sciences and Food related sciences. This program is known as CARIPAC. The acronym refers to the US affiliated areas in the Caribbean and the Pacific regions. The institutions involved are: University of the Virgin Islands; University of Puerto Rico; University of Guam; American Samoa Community College; Northern Marianas College; Palau Community College; College of the Marshall Islands and COM-FSM.

Pohnpei Campus Agriculture Certificate students gathering
soil samples. Alten Lorens – holding shovel, Moyleen Tolena,
Valentine Chipen & Wainer Kihleng

Phase I of CARIPAC emphasized an evaluation of the institutions readiness to prepare and deliver programs through Distance Education. This evidence led to a change to improving facilities and systems to deliver programs through conventional means. Accomplishments through Phases II and III included the development of a Certificate in Agriculture program at Pohnpei Campus and the provision of the first ‘Smart-Boards” to all campuses. Three staff or students from COM-FSM participated in training at the Univ. of Puerto Rico and the Chair for Agriculture Program was sponsored to attend the US National Small Farms Conference. Two students received scholarships to attend University of Guam.

Agriculture Instruction Chair, Kiyoshi Phillip
conducts recruitment at PICS High School

In Phase III and increasingly in Phase IV and V, the focus is changing to include training for Public School teachers and programs leading to improving the transition from High School to college and retention programs within the college. To accomplish these goals a project coordinator has been hired. Phase IV and V are funded through signed Memoranda of Understanding with the University of Guam as the Program Administering Institution.

Phase I started with just over $48,000. Currently Phase IV provides $80,500 and Phase V increased to $86,468.50. This increase has allowed the planned purchase of scientific, instructional and connectivity equipment, training and scholarships. This year CariPac funding will provide 1 scholarship at the University level, 5 for AS students and 5 for students of certificate programs in each of Kosrae and Pohnpei. Criteria for these scholarships will be finalized and announced before the beginning of the spring 2010 semester. As part of our recruitment and retention we are arranging a trip for outstanding agriculture students to see what facilities are available in Palau and Guam; to help encourage our students to consider careers in agriculture, entrepreneurial actions or continued studies at the University of Guam as part of our CariPac collaborative effort.