Students employed both the traditional row and alternative raised-bed planting methods, and were provided calamansi fruit tree seedlings to plant at home.
In his remarks, the U.S. Ambassador Peter Prahar spoke on the history of Earth Day, an event which launched the modern environmental movement. In 1970, some 20 million Americans publicly denounced increased pollution and deterioration, and demonstrated for a healthy, sustainable environment.
Rising environmental awareness led the U.S. government to establish the Environmental Protection Agency in late 1970, and to enact the Clean Air Act of 1970 and Clean Water Act of 1972.
After highlighting the importance of environmental preservation and protection, Prahar spoke of the value of sustainable agriculture in environmental and health-related issues.
Noting the U.S. Embassy’s and Mrs. Prahar’s gardening efforts, the ambassador called for students to “take pride in the healthy, locally grown foods of Pohnpei…. I hope all of you will continue to be interested all your lives in growing and harvesting some of the food you eat.”
In closing, Ambassador Prahar provided students with a homework assignment: “To take all that you learn today to make your [calamansi tree] seedling grow into a big fruit-bearing tree. Show your tree love: give it the proper soil, water, and sunshine, protect it from dogs and weed eaters, and keep its area free from trash. I know that if you take care of this little seedling, it will take care of your family by providing healthy, nourishing food for the years to come.”
USDA-NRCS soil conservation technician Gibson Santos then educated students on the materials needed for gardening, focusing on those that could be procured locally and at a minimal cost.
Students were then able to partake in various hands-on activities, including raised bed construction, soil-to-organic matter combination, and seedling care to promote effective growth.
The Lukop Elementary initiative aligned with the Earth Day Network’s “A Billion Acts of Green” campaign. As the largest environmental service campaign in the world, “A Billion Acts of Green” promotes both simple individual acts and major organizational initiatives that reduce carbon emissions and support sustainability.
The goal is to register one billion actions in advance of the global Earth Summit in Rio in 2012.
