$139K in micro grants for gardeners, farmers, ranchers, non-profits
Here’s good news for home gardeners, farmers, and ranchers in the CNMI.
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) disclosed in his e-kilili newsletter over the weekend that home gardeners, non-profits, and commercial growers will have access to micro-grants intended to increase food production in the Marianas again this year.
Sablan said the U.S. Congress authorized the program (up to $5,000 for individuals, up to $10,000 for organizations) in the 2018 Farm Bill, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Friday the annual award of $139,701 to the CNMI.
The CNMI Division of Agriculture is applying for funds under the micro-grants for food security program and, if approved, will subgrant the funds, minus the 3% for administration purposes, to eligible farmers, ranchers, and other interested individuals to implement their projects consistent with the requirements of the program.
The CNMI DOA’s program aims to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale farming, herding, and livestock operations in communities to have significant levels of food insecurity and import a significant quantity of food.
Sablan said over the last four years, the CNMI DOA has used the money to support over 40 small-scale farm and livestock operations with the goal of producing more food in the Marianas for good health and to protect against supply chain disruptions.
The number of funded projects continuous to grow as more funds become available and more people become aware of the program to benefit the farmers and ranchers on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
DOA will be announcing the availability of the micro-grants and application requirements in local papers, on the radio, and at its website: https://dlnr.cnmi.gov/agriculture.html, and plans virtual workshops on Zoom for anyone interested.
The Guam Department of Agriculture was also awarded the same amount for its food security program to address food insecurity by enhancing the production and quality of locally grown food within Guam’s communities.
With Guam relying on imports for over 90% of its food consumption, GDA said this initiative aims to strengthen the local agricultural sector and improve access to nutritious, homegrown food.
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture on the other hand, was awarded 2,235,219. HDOA will identify the eligible entities, defined as those entities that are physically located in the state of Hawaii, specifically on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai.
Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan
