CREES News

The latest news from Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Program

Summer smiles stayed bright for the 11th year as Camp Maga’lahi concluded its final session on Saipan. Held from June to August across Saipan, Rota, and Tinian, Camp Maga’lahi brought together enthusiastic youth for an endless adventure in career exploration, community building, and a deeper understanding of their island homes—made possible through partnerships with various local organizations.

In a strategic move to strengthen the Commonwealth’s food system and expand economic opportunities for local farmers,  Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services-Agriculture Production program is cultivating seven new sweet potato varieties for eventual commercial distribution in the CNMI.

 Seven scholars from the CNMI let their voices be heard as delegates and facilitators at the National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C which took place from April 11 to 16, 2025. Through workshops and roundtable discussions on topics like mental health, digital literacy and resilience, and workforce development, the students proudly represented the CNMI and shared their islands’ perspective on national issues.

To strengthen local pork production and address ongoing challenges in the industry, Kumoi Farms has received a Farmer/Rancher Grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. This funding will support an innovative research and outreach project aimed at improving swine production across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

To improve food security and support the growing number of local food producers, Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services-Agriculture Production Program is collecting soil samples from the Division of Agriculture’s cultivated and uncultivated farm plots in Kagman.