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200K Grant for Yap Socially Disadvantaged Farmers

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): June 16, 2010 - The College of Micronesia-FSM has been selected to receive an award in the amount of $200,000 for the project: Small Farm Outreach and Technical Assistance Program for Socially Disadvantaged Outer Island Population in Yap.

The major goal of the project is to enhance outreach, technical assistance and education efforts to reach the outer island population. According to an award letter from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Advocacy and Outreach, the project will enhance the coordination of outreach, technical assistance and education efforts for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and to provide technical assistance for business creation in the economically challenged rural communities served by the college.

Mr. Anderson Neal Jr., the Socially Disadvantaged Farmer and Rancher Program Coordinator, thanks the College on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture's Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO), for submitting the competitive proposal to participate in the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) Competitive Grant Program.

The grant was applied for by Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, the Researcher at the Agricultural Experiment Station of Yap Campus. The final Grant Award Package will be forwarded to Dr. Muru for his signature within two weeks.

For more information, please contact Joseph Saimon at 320-2480, extension 125 or by e-mail: at jsaimon@comfsm.fm.