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Free farming course at MHS
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Posted on Mar 28 2012
Eligible U.S. workers can now learn the basics of farming and agriculture following the introduction of a new course administered by the Northern Marianas Trades Institute.
Agriculturist Isidoro T. Cabrera said yesterday that he began teaching Basic Farming at Marianas High School starting March 6.
The couse is offered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 3:15pm to 4:30pm.
Cabrera said the course was made possible through a $1 million technical assistance grant from the Office of Insular Affairs, which aims to identify and develop economic opportunities in the Commonwealth to fulfill the requirements of Public Law 110-229, which placed the CNMI’s immigration under federal control.
Cabrera, adviser to the Saipan Agricultural Fair Association committee, said that NMTI founder Anthony Pellegrino offered him the position “and I accepted immediately because it’s a very exciting job.”
Cabrera said the class is open to all U.S. qualified workers for free. The course starts with a short lecture but the greater part of the course is field work, which allows students to receive hands-on training from planting to harvesting short-term crops.
The course will also involve field trips to large private and commercial farms on island.
“I’m introducing basic farming knowledge to individuals who want to learn how to start their own farm plots and be self-employed and earn money in the process,” Cabrera told Saipan Tribune.
Cabrera disclosed that the number of his students per class range from 18 to 25 individuals, which shows that there is interest for a basic farming course on island.
Cabrera, who is also the vice president of the Sabalu Farmers Market Association, said his students will be planting vegetables like eggplant, tomato, pepper, Chinese cabbage, radish, string beans, and green onion at their 40 x 60-foot plot at MHS campus.
The students, Cabrera said, will harvest the crops sometime in April or May in time for the 2012 Saipan Agricultural Fair.
“When we harvest the vegetables, we will have a field day so the students can exhibit their own produce to the rest of the community,” added Cabrera.
The course will run until June. To sign up for the class or for more information, call 483-1785.
