Tinian’s ‘growing’ role in Marianas history

The 42 cattle ranches on Tinian represent a significant community asset, with an overall herd population of over 1,000 cattle, estimated at well over $500,000, not including fence lines and other farming infrastructure. These ranches provide our communities with fresh, wholesome meats that are produced in highly sustainable pasture production systems that provide food security at the household and community level, and provide income to farming families. The ranching lifestyle on Tinian represents a type of modern island culture that serves as a basis for sustainable development and improved food systems throughout the region. Currently, Tinian’s cattle producers provide the bulk of the cattle that are processed in the slaughterhouse on Saipan and retailed through the Saipan Farmers Market in Garapan. Furthermore, many of the cattle that have recently been exported to Guam from Saipan were first shipped from Tinian pastures, provided health certificates, and then shipped to Guam. Beef from Tinian is also sent to Palau, Yap, and other parts of the region.

Over the last decade, much has been done to further develop Tinian ranches. Over $2 million in conservation funding has been invested into Tinian pastures by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and through loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency, greatly improving the productive capacity of Tinian pastures. Breed improvements to the beef herd, through artificial insemination programs, have allowed for new genetic influences from wonderful cattle breeds, such as Senepol, Brangus (Brahman X Angus), Red Angus, and Brahman. Ranchers have benefited from training programs in animal health, pasture management, animal husbandry, meat processing, and much more. In short, Tinian ranches and ranching families represent an enormous resource, as they contribute so much to our islands in terms of culture, food, economic activity, and we should do everything we can to protect and nurture these and other local food production systems.

And why shouldn’t we? We have been blessed with incredibly fertile and productive soils on this island, that have been developed at different points in history by ancient Chamorros, the Spanish, the Japanese, German, and Trust Territory Administrations, to serve as a cornucopia of food production that has fed families and communities well beyond the island’s shores. During the Japanese administration, 1914-1944, approximately 98 percent of Tinian was used for sugarcane production, to include livestock and crop production that supported a diversified economy built upon agriculture, tourism, and a military presence of over 5,000 troops. During the Ken Jones era (1960’ and 70’s), there were over 7,000 beef cattle, 1,000 milking cows, along with thousands of hogs, pineapples, and many other crops. The meat, produce, and milk products grown on Tinian during this time were mainly shipped to Guam to supply the United States military markets and J&G Payless supermarkets. Time and time again, Tinian has served as the bread basket of the Marianas.

I’m hopeful that during this “American” administration of Tinian, that American ingenuity, resources, and progressive planning can be employed in order to rebuild Tinian agriculture, in concert with other proposed military, tourism, and community related developments. Being that approximately 95 percent of Tinian farms and the majority of island’s “prime” and “unique” soils exist within the two-thirds of Tinian that are leased to the Department of Defense, it is critical that military planners are enlightened and informed about the important role that farms can play in military and civilian planning. The Marine Forces Pacific has a proposal to build and run a live fire range complex on DOD leased lands on Tinian, and I am grateful for how this group, MARFORPAC, has worked with the Tinian Cattlemen’s Association to develop a plan for ranch relocations, water well improvements, and so forth. Although, we are only a tiny group of ranchers and community members, many of whom may not have access to the online version of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (http://www.cnmijointmilitarytrainingeis.com/documents) and only a single public hearing for which to provide their comments. It is therefore very important for all who care about Tinian, about sustainable development in the Marianas, and any other issue related to the military buildup in the Marianas to read and contribute constructive ideas and comments related to the MARFORPAC proposal. If you think that Tinian ranches and other food systems on Tinian are important, please do this now, because the window of opportunity to go on the public record will soon be closed. Help us preserve our “growing” island culture by staying informed and playing an active role in the process.

Lawerence Duponcheel is secretary of the Tinian Cattlemen’s Association. He may be contacted at tiniancattlemen@gmail.com.