Local ranchers submit 11 grant proposals
With the aid of the Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Educational Service, ranchers and farmers from Saipan, Rota, and Tinian recently submitted grant proposals to fund projects aimed at sustaining agricultural profitability and promoting environmental stewardship.
The proposed projects include sweet potato wine production, sustaining deer production, cultivating Tinian hot pepper, aerobic composting, alternative poultry production, pineapple production, solar energy, abalone production, “weed for feeds,” and aquaculture professional development opportunities.
“We’re extremely proud that ranchers and farmers are taking advantage of the funding opportunities that are available,” said Tee Abaham, acting NMC president. “The projects, if funded, will significantly contribute to the diversification of farming methods and practices that will ultimately strengthen the local agricultural industry.”
The grants are made available by the Western Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education (Western SARE) Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to its website, Western SARE has funded more than 1,000 grants worth over $40 million.
Farmers, ranchers, researchers, educators, students, and other interested parties are invited annually to submit proposals under the grant. [B][I](NMC)[/I][/B]