The cooperative extension services (CES) of the college of micronesia-land grant (COM-LG) program is dedicated to fostering sustainable development across micronesia through community-based education,…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the College of Micronesia Land Grant Program $2.583 million on October 1, 2025, under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511) to deliver Cooperative Extension Services across Micronesia through September 30, 2030.

The award funds hands-on training workshops, demonstration projects, and educational programs in sustainable farming, aquaculture, water resource management, nutrition education, and food safety. The recipient delivers these services across the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, addressing regional challenges including food insecurity, obesity, malnutrition, diabetes, and food and waterborne diseases. Programming integrates traditional indigenous knowledge with scientific practices, incorporates precision farming tools and climate-resilient crop varieties, and emphasizes sustainable food production, nutrition education, safe food handling, and water safety.

The College of Micronesia Land Grant Program, a 1862 Land-grant Institution headquartered in Kolonia, Pohnpei, Micronesia, operates as a federal grant recipient exclusively under NIFA formula programs. The award is formula-based; no competitive peer review process applies to this assistance type. The period of performance spans five years with place of performance across the U.S.-affiliated Pacific region.

The cooperative extension services (CES) of the college of micronesia-land grant (COM-LG) program is dedicated to fostering sustainable development across micronesia through community-based education, outreach, and capacity-building initiatives. CES plays a pivotal role in translating research into practical applications that improve agricultural productivity, enhance natural resource management, and strengthen community resilience. Guided by principles of economic viability, environmental sustainability, community building, and technological feasibility, CES programs are designed to address the challenges identified by local stakeholders. Central to this mission is the preservation of micronesia's unique natural and cultural heritage, which is essential to maintaining long-term quality of life in the region. To achieve these goals, CES integrates traditional knowledge systems with scientifically validated agricultural practices, promoting sustainable agriculture and aquaculture models that are community-driven and culturally appropriate. Through participatory approaches, CES empowers individuals and communities to CO-design solutions that reflect their values, needs, and aspirations. Recognizing the region's pressing health challenges, including obesity, malnutrition, diabetes, and food and waterborne diseases, CES outreach initiatives emphasize sustainable food production and food security, nutrition education and balanced DIE TS, safe food processing and handling, and clean water access and water safety. CES will deliver hands-on training workshops, demonstration projects, and educational programs to build local capacity in sustainable farming, water resource management, and health promotion. These efforts aim to equip communities with the knowledge and skills needed to sustain improvements independently. To enhance productivity and resilience, CES will incorporate innovative agricultural technologies, such as precision farming tools and climate-resilient crop varieties, while also investing in local staff development to better serve stakeholder needs. Over the next several years, CES will focus on seven strategic priority areas: increasing local food production and addressing food insecurity, advancing sustainable aquaculture development, supporting youth and family well-being, mitigating weather impacts, reducing food and waterborne illnesses, combating childhood obesity, and enhancing export readiness and market access for local products. Partner colleges (college of the marshall islands, college of micronesia-FSM, and palau community college) across the three nations (the republic of the marshall islands, federated states of micronesia and, the republic of palau) will implement tailored extension programs within the nifa reporting system, ensuring jurisdictionspecific relevance while collectively addressing regional challenges. The long-term vision of CES is to promote self-sufficiency through sustainable practices that benefit micronesian communities for generations. A robust monitoring and evaluation framework will guide adaptive management and continuous improvement. By embedding traditional knowledge and cultural practices into all initiatives, CES ensures that its programs resonate deeply with the values and heritage of the micr onesian people.