Duration: 10/01/2014 to 09/30/2019

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

The American Pacific faces many unique challenges. While all of the island territories have a relationship with the United States, each is somewhat different with unique internal government structures. The total landmass of these islands is small, but it covers an area larger than the continental United States. The people living on these islands are culturally diverse, speak a variety of languages, and are struggling with the issues of preserving language and culture while incorporating the benefits of technology. Most of the island economies lack good infrastructures. The majority of the food consumed in the American Pacific is imported with selection dictated by the importers and supply subject to shipping problems. In some cases major food shortages are a boat load away. Island life and agriculture are vastly different form the U.S. mainland and need unique approaches to develop appropriate solutions. The Pacific Land Grant Alliance (PLGA) was formed in 2007 to focus efforts and resources in areas that have the greatest potential impact on their underserved populations. The PLGA was formed on the organizational structure of the Agricultural Development in the American Pacific project (ADAP), which concluded at the end of 2013.

Hawaii and the Pacific territories share much in common with Alaska. Island communities are isolated by the ocean; in Alaska, communities are isolated by distance and the lack of roads. The island and Alaskan entities have research projects, extension programs, and college instructional degrees that address similar issues, such as distance education, and community sustainability. This committee facilitates the work of the PLGA Institutions to solve common problems, increase productivity, share expertise, and provide capacity building. This partnership focuses on major regional issues of creating sustainable agriculture, protecting against invasive species, building stable economies and communities, promoting food safety and security, and promoting healthy lifestyles. The stakeholder base is large and diversified. While no one is excluded, farmers, families, and native populations are likely to comprise the majority of the clients.

Objectives

Procedures and Activities

Research programs of various types will be coordinated across the six Land Grant Institutions. With the variations of environments represented across this region, research projects, for example, will study the effects of climatic conditions, rainfall, and temperature on agricultural production. Research will also focus on energy, health, nutrition and lifestyles in coordination with Extension region. These efforts are in demand by, and of benefit to, stakeholders.

Expected Outcomes and Impacts

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Educational Plan

Educational Plan
The information exchange will promote cooperation on research projects and Extension programs. The information from research will be made available to the public in a variety of methods: publications, websites, workshops, newspaper articles, and radio and television programs.

Extension programs are open to all individuals. Many of the persons living in the island and Alaskan communities are considered to be members of the under-represented communities. These communities form a large core of the clientele and participants in our programs and projects.

Organization/Governance

Organization/Governance
I. Committee Members
a. Membership shall consist of the six Pacific Gateway Land Grant institutions of the American Pacific including American Samoa Community College, College of Micronesia, Northern Marianas College, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Guam, and University of Hawaii at M
noa.
b. Each institution shall be represented by the Land Grant dean, director, or appointee of the institution.

II. Elections for Committee Chair
a. The chair shall be elected by ballot from among the members of the Board of Directors to serve for two years. The term of office shall begin at the beginning of the fiscal year following the meeting at which he/she is elected.
b. Should the chair no longer be able to serve, the members of the Board of Directors shall elect a new chair at the subsequent directors meeting.

III. Meetings
a. The regular meeting of the organization shall be held at least one time per year. The date(s) and location(s) of the meeting(s) shall be established by the Board of Directors at the previous meeting.
b. If a director is unable to attend a Board of Directors meeting, a communication appointing a fully authorized proxy in his/her place shall be sent to the chair prior to the Board of Directors meeting.
c. Each ADAP director or proxy for a director shall have one vote for motions brought before the Board of Directors.
d. Four members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.

IV. Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the 2011 Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th Edition) shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.

Literature Cited

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

AK, HI

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions