Progress 08/01/21 to 07/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during the duration of this project was the educational and extension programs in Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?For the agriculture extension program: The shredders were used to support the work-study program, where students received training in composting and mulching to produce vegetables, crops, and fruit trees. Twenty-five students who participated in the work-study program at the college benefited from hands-on training in agriculture practices. For the aquaculture extension program: The project provided outreach and training, targeting a broad audience of community members, students, fisher folks, and policy-makers. Outreach events raised awareness and generated interest in sustainable aquaculture. Training sessions provided in-depth knowledge and skills in hatchery, nursery, and grow-out techniques for giant clams. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The shredders and supplies benefited students and extension program clients. The equipment and supplies supported hands-on learning and training in processing and using coconut husk coir as a plant-growing medium. Twenty-five students participated in using the shredder and learned compost-making and vegetable container gardening. Compost bins were established at elementary schools and in communities for demonstration purposes. The aquaculture extension program increased awareness and provided technical training to aquaculture farmers for sustainable giant clam farming, reaching 245 participants in Yap. It has equipped individuals with the knowledge and skills for sustainable aquaculture practices, empowering communities to manage resources and become self-sufficient. The program engaged 241 new participants in aquaculture fundamentals, supported four established clients in sustainable giant clam aquaculture, and enabled the initiation of aquaculture demonstration in Chuuk. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The modified container installation was completed, which expanded the space for extension staff. This was completed in March 2024. The Office space now houses eight extension staff and 4 administration staff. All states continue to use their shredders to support the crop production and poultry extension program. Throughout the project, providing the shredders has allowed the agriculture extension program to reach 1,138 clients across the FSM, with 78 participants in Yap, 871 in Pohnpei, 30 in Kosrae, and 159 in Chuuk. Twenty-five students were also provided training on container gardening utilizing soil produced from the shredders in Yap. In Yap, a total of a seventy training sessions throughout the duration of the project were conducted on using coconut husk as a planting medium for container gardening and garden beds. In Pohnpei, the two local compost producers who received compost training were able to supply compost to 502 farmers for use in their gardens to improve soil quality and increase crop production. A total of 42 communities and 5 schools benefitted from compost bins established for demonstration purposes. The two farmers producing compost for the local market generated a total income of $3,200 in eight months of selling compost. The majority of farmers who bought compost to increase their home production generated no income but increased their home consumption of healthy crops. Local farmers consume approximately 400 lbs. of Chinese cabbage, 300 lbs. of eggplants, 200 lbs. of chili pepper, and 400 lbs. of bok choy. The Chuuk program provided training on home gardening to one community, one elementary school, and extension agents at the state agriculture division. The poultry program participants also benefited from the shredder's use. Extension agents demonstrated the production of dry litter for use in the chicken coop as bedding material for chicks. Two aquaculture tanks were purchased for the Chuuk Aquaculture program. The first spawning demonstration for giant clams was conducted with 10 participants, and it successfully produced approximately 10.2 million larvae. This successful spawning demonstration jump-started the aquaculture program in Chuuk. One large tank was purchased for seawater storage and supply to support a giant clam nursery in Yap. The tank was successfully set up and utilized to run a small-scale hatchery facility for giant clam production. The seawater tank enabled the hatchery to reduce reliance on constantly operating a water pump to supply seawater for nursery production of giant clam juveniles. The program demonstrably achieved its goals, fostering a significant shift in communities' approach to seafood production. Outreach events dramatically increased public awareness, with 98% of participants reporting a deeper understanding of sustainable aquaculture. Training sessions empowered individuals with practical skills, leading to a 79% adoption rate of giant clam and rabbitfish farming techniques. This newfound knowledge and skillset translated into real-world action. The number of participants in aquaculture activities doubled, demonstrating a strong community interest. The adoption rate of these practices soared by 107%, signifying a significant shift towards sustainable seafood production. Over 1,000 new clients joined the program seeking to raise clams for conservation, gifting, and consumption, directly contributing to community food security. These results paint a clear picture: Communities actively embrace sustainable aquaculture as a viable food security and economic development solution.

Publications

Progress 08/01/22 to 07/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during this reporting period was the educational and extension programs in Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Students and extension clientele have benefited from using the shredders and supplies. The equipment and supplies supported hands-on learning and training in processing and using coconut husk coir for plant growing medium. Eight agriculture students participated and learned compost-making and vegetable container gardening. Compost bins were established at elementary schools and in the communities for demonstration purposes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to collect data on the number of training for composting and use of the shredders especially in Chuuk and Kosrae Install aquaculture tanks in Yap and Chuuk to support education and extension activities Collect data on aquaculture projects and trainings Complete the installation of the container office in Yap and provide additional spaces for extension and trainings

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Re-advertisement of the bid for the remodeling of shipping containers to provide additional office and training spaces resulted in successful awarding to a local vendor. Work has started with more than 50% completed. It is expected to be completed by early 2024. Yap and Pohnpei are using their shredders to support the crop production extension program. In Yap, twenty-four training sessions were conducted on using coconut husk as a plant medium for container gardening. The use of the shredder has allowed the home gardening extension program to increase the number of clients from five the previous year to ten in FY2023. Twelve work-study students were also provided trainings on homegardening. The shredders also supported eight students during their internship course to complete their program. In Pohnpei, the number of participants who were trained in composting increased from 301 in FY2022 to 369 in FY2023. The shredder was also used to improve compost-making demonstrations that benefited two local producers of organic compost. Thirty-nine compost bins were established for demonstration purpose at two elementary schools and thirty-seven community garden centers. Due to vacant agriculture extension agent positions, Chuuk and Kosrae have yet to fully utilize their shredders in their program.

Publications

Progress 08/01/21 to 07/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached during this reporting period is the Agriculture educational and extension programs in Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Collect data on numbers of trainings for composting. Collect data on aquaculture projects and trainings Determine location for aquaculture tanks in Chuuk, purchase and implement training. Re-advertise bidding for Container office space.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Project was put out for bid, but the bid was too high. A new RFP will be placed to collect new bids for remodeling of the container office. All 4 shredders purchased andhave been received by the CRE site. Two sites need to provide receiving reports. Wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, forks, utililty bags, and wire mesh to start small compost bins have been purchased for each site. Yap aquaculture tanks, pumps and filters have been purchased.

Publications