News
ASCC Sea Grant Extension Agent Strives to Improve Community Resilience
April 25, 2014
During the fall 2013 semester, American Samoa Community College (ASCC) former Marine Science coordinator Kelley Anderson-Tagarino made the switch to University of Hawaii Sea Grant Extension Agent. Although hosted by ASCC, the Sea Grant Extension agent position is funded by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, and functions within the Community and Natural Resources (CNR) organizational chart. While Anderson-Tagarino’s responsibilities include continuing to support the ASCC Marine Science program, her new position involves an increased focus on extension and outreach.
Pacific Island Forestry Committee Meeting Comes to American Samoa
March 19, 2014
Earlier this month, the Community & Natural Resources (CNR) division of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) demonstrated the Samoan practice of talimalo (receiving visitors or hospitality) during the 2014 Annual Pacific Island Forestry Committee Meeting from March 4th through 7th. The meeting, a first for American Samoa to host, took place under the aegis of the ASCC-CNR Forestry Program and focused on the theme of Invasive Species and Climate Change.
Laupele for Your Health at First Friday Courtesy of ASCC-CNR
March 10, 2014
The Community and Natural Resources Division (CNR) of the American Samoa Community College would like the public to know about a healthy, nutritious leafy green vegetable that may already be growing in your own back yard. Laupele or Edible Hibiscus (Abelmoschus manihot) is one of the most nutritious of all leafy green vegetables. Rich in protein, fiber, iron, calcium, vitamin A and zinc, it is more nutritious than Chinese cabbage or even spinach, and is very easy to grow in American Samoa.
ASCC-CNR Children's Healthy Living Program Enters Intervention Stage
March 3, 2014
The American Samoa arm of CHL is the Community & Natural Resources (CNR) division of the American Samoa Community College, where efforts have been underway for the past two years to engage the community in awareness of childhood obesity and steps that can be taken to mitigate it. The first phase of activity involved taking measurements among groups of children in selected villages, which would serve as a data baseline for research to follow. CNR staff participating in the CHL program have now moved on to the intervention stage of the project, and have made multiple visits to schools (Head Start, Kindergarten and grades 1 – 3) in the intervention villages.
ASCC-CNR Conducts Poultry Research
February 21, 2014
Since this past December, the Community & Natural Resources (CNR) division of the American Samoa Community College has conducted a project to examine the viability of raising poultry with locally-produced feed. “One of the difficulties with raising animals in American Samoa is the high cost of imported feed,” said CNR Horticulturalist Ian Gurr. “The project was to test a feed made locally from ingredients found here on island. This allowed us to compare the growth of chickens fed a commercial feed, those fed the locally made feed, and those who were allowed to range free and fed with coconut.”