We are excited to share that the Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Food Security Policy and Food Production Master Plan, that our Rutgers team (along with the New York Botanic Garden!) developed over the past three years in concert with our Pohpneian partners was endorsed by the prior and current state government and two weeks ago by the Pohnpei’s State Legislature making now official policy. This has not been an easy path but with our strong team at Rutgers including the leadership from Dena Seidel, Ramu Govindasamy and Oscar Schofield and strong partnerships with our colleagues over in Pohnpei we did it!
This is a very meaningful milestone for our team having worked in the FSM now for the last four years. We are honored to support the people of Micronesia with their food security goals and have been invited to continue assisting the FSM as a scientific research team with their community-led, culture-based sustainable food system development.
A policy of this depth and complexity takes time and benefits from the contributions of so many. Thanks to all of you for your meaningful contributions. Here, I wish to acknowledge Dena Seidel, an official Ambassador-at-Large for Pohnpei State, who led much of the writing and compilation of this document in close collaboration with the rest of us and in concert with our Pohnpeian partners.
Sharing this news now because I just saw this morning from the Office of Pohnpei Governor about their newly released Food Security Policy and Food Production Master Plan- acknowledging the Rutgers team. See the link below:
With thanks to everyone for each of your support and efforts!
Jim Simon and our FSM Research Team