SAIPAN — Thirty-five local farmers and producers received certificates of completion from Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Services during a formal ceremony recognizing participants from two regenerative agriculture training initiatives.
The ceremony honored graduates of two programs: How to Write a Farm Plan, conducted in late 2024, and Agrowcademy, held in the summer of 2025. Both programs focus on regenerative agriculture practices and building a self-sustaining food system for the CNMI.
The How to Write a Farm Plan program drew seasoned farmers seeking to establish new plots under the Division of Lands and Natural Resources Kagman plots. Agrowcademy targeted advanced producers looking to adapt their skills to regenerative techniques.
Glenn Manglona, president of the Kagman Agricultural Farms and Producers Association and a participant in the Farm Plan program, said the training gave formal language to practices local farmers had long been using.
“When Dr. Elevitch first started teaching regenerative agriculture, it was something we were already doing, there was just no name for it,” Manglona said. “We would grow other plants in between coconut trees. We just didn’t know the term ‘Regenerative’ at that time. It’s been underrated for a long time. No farm, no food. Thank you to the College and Dr. Elevitch for sharing all your knowledge with us.”
Jeromalyn “Joma” Arurang, representing the Agrowcademy cohort, said the program’s emphasis on hands-on application set it apart.
“It’s a great day for agriculture,” Arurang said. “I’m grateful that this program teaches us to implement all that we learned hands-on and long-term.”
NMC-CREES said it will continue rolling out regenerative agriculture workshops as part of its effort to build food security across the CNMI, reduce dependence on imported food and improve soil health. For more information, contact Jesse Deleon Guerrero at jesse.dlguerrero@marianas.edu or 670-237-6876, or visit crees.marianas.edu.
