Agriculture research grant projects approved

By Cassie Dlg Fejeran
Special to the Saipan Tribune

The Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education competitive grants program has approved four farmer and rancher grant projects in the CNMI.

Beato Calvo, in cooperation with Vincent Calvo and David Calvo, completed the Rota Coffee Company on March 31 with assistance from the WSARE Farmer/Rancher Grant.

The program assists in enhancing the quality of life for farmers, ranchers and society by satisfying human food and fiber needs, as well as the environmental quality and natural resources based upon the agricultural economy.

The Rota rat control in pineapples project, initiated by Lino Mendiola and the sustainable slug control for vegetable growers and gardeners project, proposed by Francisco Calvo are two ongoing projects funded by the WSARE grant.

Felix T. Mendiola along with co-operators Otton Mendiola and Albert Toves, Jr. initiated a project under the WSARE grant to further the development of organic systems for the production and propagation of the Polynesian Arrowroot, also known as Tacca Leonteopetaloides, in the CNMI.

Mark Bonin, Ag Professional and Technical Advisor, was on hand to provide the applicants assistance on their WSARE grant proposal.

The farmer and rancher grant is funded for two years at a maximum of $10,000 per grant with one producer, or $20,000 with three or more producers.

The grant proposal must have at least one producer, a qualified technical advisor to assist with the planning, evaluation, education dissemination and reports. A technical advisor’s resume must be included.

According to WSARE, the proposal plan must include information collected from the project. The plan should also have fact sheets, brochures, workshops, demonstrations or other methods to inform other producers on the project.

Expenses covered from the grant might include the cost of sample analysis, market surveys, materials and supplies for the project, outreach expenses, hired labor, and travel expenses among others.

Each applicant proposal will be reviewed and evaluated by Phil Rasmussen, WSARE coordinator; Bob Newhall, deputy coordinator; Florence Hinck, administrative assistant; Kristi Jensen, contracts manager; Ann Frederickson, computer analyst; and Ron Daines, communications specialist.

All grant proposal applications must be completed and submitted by Oct. 1, 5pm. For more information contact Isidoro T. Cabrera at 287-0571 or Edgar Cocker at 287-0561. For Rota residents contact Mark Bonin at 532-9513.