(NMC) — Thirty-five participants of Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services’ agroforestry training programs were awarded certificates of completion during a formal ceremony held on Feb. 27, 2026.
The event honored these regenerative agriculture practitioners from two distinct initiatives: How to Write a Farm Plan and Agrowcademy. Both programs emphasize the importance of regenerative agriculture and creating an abundant, self-sustaining food system for the CNMI.
The How to Write a Farm Plan training program took place in late 2024, with most of its participants being seasoned farmers looking to establish new plots under the Department of Lands and Natural Resources’ Kagman plots. Agrowcademy, held in the summer of 2025, targeted advanced producers looking to adapt their skills into regenerative agricultural techniques.
During the ceremony, students from both cohorts shared how the training has impacted their approach to land management and growing food.
Glenn Manglona, longtime local farmer, president of the Kagman Agricultural Farms and Producers Association and a participant of the How to Write a Farm Plan program, noted that many regenerative practices are rooted in local tradition.
‘When [agroforestry expert] Dr. Elevitch first started teaching regenerative agriculture, it was something we were already doing, there was just no name for it,” Manglona stated. “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, highlighted the transition from academic theory to hands-on practice.
“It’s a great day for agriculture,” Arurang stated. “I’m grateful that this program teaches us to implement all that we learned hands-on and long-term.”
NMC-CREES continues to roll out regenerative agriculture workshops and training as a critical step toward long-term food security for CNMI residents. By equipping local producers with the tools to build self-sustaining ecosystems, the college aims to reduce reliance on imports and improve soil health across the islands.
The ceremony served as a celebration of the participants’ dedication and a testament to the growing momentum of the Regenerative movement within the local farming community.
For more information, contact Jesse Deleon Guerrero at [email protected] or (670) 237-6876, or visit crees.marianas.edu/.
