Abstract guam's forests and agricultural lands provide essential ecosystem services, yet much of the island's land base remains unmanaged while 85-90% of food is imported, increasing vulnerability…

Abstract guam's forests and agricultural lands provide essential ecosystem services, yet much of the island's land base remains unmanaged while 85-90% of food is imported, increasing vulnerability to supply disruptions and household food insecurity. Building existing agroforestry demonstrations and extension partnerships, the university of guam cooperative extension will expand practical education and landowner adoption of food-producing trees and conservation practices to strengthen local food security and ecosystem resilience. During FY25-26, the project will focus on 'microplot' agroforestry food forest establishment: small, step-by-step systems that can be implemented on weekends using limited labor, equipment, and capital. Demonstration sites and community-based trainings will show simple designs, appropriate species, and soil and water conservation methods suited to guam's shallow soils and sloping terrain, making agroforestry accessible to families, leaseholders, and small landholders. Workshops will combine brief instruction with hands-on planting and propagation training. Participants will receive starter planting materials and guidance to establish their own plots immediately. A key impact and primary indicator of success will be the increased number of food-producing trees and other perennial crops established on public and private lands, supported through propagation training and distribution of easy-to-propagate species. By scaling adoption one microplot at a time, the project will increase local food production capacity, improve soil and water stewardship, and build a durable network of landowners and partner agencies advancing sustainable agroforestry across guam.