The american samoa community college division of agriculture, community and natural resources (ascc acnr) will continue to implement its planned programs addressing the critical issues described in…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded American Samoa Community College $3,501,797 on October 1, 2025, under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511) to deliver cooperative agricultural extension programming through the ASCC Division of Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources.

The award funds four core program areas addressing agricultural sustainability, family and consumer sciences, youth development, and ecosystem stewardship across American Samoa. Under agricultural sustainability and food security, ASCC will deliver technical assistance, workshops, and on-farm demonstrations supporting taro breeding, vegetable crop variety field trials and demonstration plots, seed and seedling distribution to farmers, schools, and 4-H clubs, farm visitations, farm and pesticide safety training, artificial insemination projects for farmers, and pig waste management systems. Forestry and research collaboration will enhance conservation practices including soil and water protection. Family and Consumer Sciences programming will strengthen family well-being through nutrition education, food safety, financial literacy, and home management workshops delivered in schools and the community. Youth and ecosystem development initiatives round out the extension portfolio.

Performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, with all work performed in the United States. The award is a formula grant allocation to a 1862 land-grant institution, and American Samoa Community College is eligible as a recognized land-grant institution under the Smith-Lever program.

The american samoa community college division of agriculture, community and natural resources (ascc acnr) will continue to implement its planned programs addressing the critical issues described in the 2026 nifa plan of work: agricultural sustainability and food security, ecosystem, family and community resiliency, health and wellness, ecosystem and youth development. The extension programs serves as the primary outreach and education arm of the territory's agricultural, youth, ecosystem and family development system. Through smith-lever funding, the acnr division extension programs fulfills its mission to extend research-based knowledge that strengthens families, empowers youth, promotes sustainable agriculture, and preserves natural resources for future generations. For FY2026, ascc extension proposes an integrated and culturally grounded initiative to advance USDA-nifa priorities while addressing the unique needs of island communities through four core program areas: 1. Agricultural sustainability and food security: deliver technical assistance, workshops, and on farm demonstrations that promote agriculture, food security, pest management, and sustainable land use. Collaborate with forestry and research programs to enhance conservation practices including soil and water protection efforts. Extension outreach and activities to address the planned programs in 2026 include taro breeding program, vegetable crops variety field trials and demonstration plots, providing seeds and seedlings to the farmers, schools, and 4-H clubs for vegetable gardening, farm visitations, farm & pesticide safety training programs, artificial insemination (AI) project to farmers, and PIG waste management systems. 2. Family & consumer sciences (FCS): strengthen family well-being through nutrition education, food safety, financial literacy, and home management workshops. This includes workshops in nutrition and healthy living in the schools and the community to promote physical activity/exercise, nutrition, health and well-being, and expanding outreach to remote outer islands for families and villages, promoting healthier lifestyles and resilient households. Ascc acnr family and consumer science (FCS) program will continue to conduct basic sewing workshops to homemakers and interested clients. 3. 4-H youth development: engaging youth through experiential learning, leadership development, and community service programs. Foster civic engagement, life skills, and career readiness among high school students while celebrating samoan culture and traditional values (FA'a samoa). Ascc acnr 4-H staff will continue to conduct 4-H youth development program workshops and community outreach presentations to youth in the youth at risk areas at schools, churches, and village clubs. The 4-H program will also continue to host field trips and tours for youth to learn and experience the different extension and research programs, demonstrations, and field plots at acnr compound. 4. Forestry extension programs/ecosystem: ascc acnr forestry program will continue to assist schools, landowners, churches, and village communities in planting native trees in urban areas, especially along the coasts or areas in need of shade and soil erosion control. This effort will help promote native species and good forest stewardship practices. In addition, IT will protect and conserve our forests and natural resources from environmental degradation and deforestation, and more. The FY2026 smith-lever program emphasizes integration across research, extension, and education, ensuring that ascc's work reflects local priorities while contributing to the national USDA-nifa mission. Expected outcomes include improved adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, protect the ecosystem, enhanced family nutrition and wellness, and increased youth leadership participation.