Romolor named CNMI gardening coordinator

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman recently named Marcelo Romolor as CNMI’s community gardening coordinator whose task is to provide advice on establishing and expanding community gardens in the CNMI.

Mr. Romolor is already serving as an agriculture extension agent 1 at the Northern Marianas College CNMI Cooperative research, Extension and Education Service (NMC-CNMI CREES). He carries many years of experience in local horticultural practices and sustainable agriculture methods.

According to Mr. Romolor, he practices “organic gardening, which is limiting the use of chemicals and protecting the environment in every way possible.”

“Community gardens not only produce fresh fruits and vegetables; they can also help create more livable communities by replacing unused lots with productive green spaces,” said Secretary Glickman in a videotaped remarks prepared for the American Community Gardening Association conference in Atlanta.
“These gardening projects can be vital for communities so I have selected coordinators in each state to help faith-based organizations, nonprofit groups, state and local governments, and individuals create or expand gardens in their neighborhoods.”

The newly named coordinators will offer information and technical assistance to nonprofit groups, Indian tribes, school districts, private businesses, individuals and state, local and federal governments, as they start or expand local community gardens. The coordinators will offer advice on site location and planning, what and when to plant, soil surveys, soil conservation, volunteer recruitment, and links with government agencies. USDA has provided technical assistance, national publicity, and limited seed money to local gardening projects, and has created a national gardening web site, www.gardening.usda.gov.

When asked how he sees his new role, Mr. Romolor said “we should promote sustainable agriculture in order to prevent dangerous chemicals from being released into the CNMI’s water tables. We want to improve the water quality throughout the CNMI and prevent any further environmental damages.”

For more information on the NMC-CNMI CREES programs and services please call David Attao at 234-5498, ext. 1431 or visit http://www.nmcnet.edu.