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Female farmers in Pohnpei are sustaining resources
HONOLULU—As the world celebrates Women’s History Month in March, we cannot forget the ladies in Pohnpei who are also providing farming contributions in the Federated States of Micronesia. This year, all the women’s groups on Pohnpei came out to hear U.S. Ambassador Doria Rosen with encouraging and motivating remarks.
A great example of farming contributions from women include how the Pohnpei Field Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Services is a partner with the Island Food Community of Pohnpei supporting sustainable agriculture and healthy local food. NRCS is supporting their current project with the United Nation’s Global Environmental Fund-Small Grants Program addressing the conservation of food crop cultivars through traditional agroforestry systems. NRCS assisted with farm field trips and most recently, a workshop on Food Safety and Security. Maintaining soil health and biodiversity are important messages to the Pohnpei Women’s Council members who are the target audience for this project. Each of the women received a comprehensive guide to growing vegetables assembled by NRCS and translated to Pohnpein by the local staff.
“In Hawaii alone, the Ag Census reports that 1,574 farms have women as the principal operators,” said Bruce Petersen, NRCS Director of the Pacific Islands Area. “We are proud to partner with female farmers and ranchers across the islands to protect our natural resources.”
NRCS is the federal agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture who partners with Conservation Districts and others to provide technical and some cost-share assistance to private landowners. Our main goal is to protect, enhance, and preserve our soil, water, air, plants, and animals using sound science and expertise. Participation in our programs is voluntary. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. (USDA)
