4-H Marianas is investing in youth leadership thanks to the support of Tournament of Champions! The 4-H Marianas program was awarded $3,000 by the TOC on Nov. 24, 2025. The donation is intended to support the program’s positive youth development initiatives offered through 4-H Marianas. The funds will directly support key initiatives, including the youth events to be hosted by the 4-H Youth Island Council and the upcoming 2026 Camp Maga’lahi. The check was presented to the 4-H Youth Council members by TOC representatives Marian Aldan-Pierce, Vicente “Ben” Babauta, and Ray Camacho.

The Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services Agroforestry program held their workbook launch on Rota for its new book, “Regenerative Agroforestry in Action in the Marianas: A Guide for Creating Abundant Food Forests,” at the Rota Mayor’s Office on November 12, 2025. Free copies were distributed to attendees while the authors accepted questions and comments. This event follows the Saipan and Tinian book launches, held on September 26, 2025 and October 18, 2025, respectively, concluding an island-wide published volume made for the CNMI.

To strengthen agriculture in the Commonwealth, Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services (NMC-CREES) has launched a project to introduce and test several tropical fruit varieties from Malaysia. Led by NMC-CREES, the initiative aims to expand the islands’ food supply, support local farmers, and create new opportunities for communities across the CNMI. By diversifying what can be grown locally, the project also supports long-term food security and regeneration for the region.

Empowering youth to be successful leaders in the future, the 4-H Marianas program announced the members of their Academic Year 2025-2026 Youth Island Councils. Selected from a competitive application and interview process, the youth-led governing bodies for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota will participate in various youth advocacy projects by planning and leading community service initiatives, events, and leadership activities.

4-H Marianas youth, volunteers, partners and leadership across the CNMI celebrated the 2025 National 4-H Week, held from Oct. 5 to 11, 2025, highlighting the accomplishments of 4-H youth and showcasing the powerful impact of 4-H programs in developing young leaders.