BY TAMMY DOTY
LAST Saturday morning’s Sabalu farmers market
bustled with energy, residents and tourists, music and VIPs as a warm-up to
this weekend’s Saipan Agriculture Fair.
Radio station KKMP provided the perfect
back-drop of music and atmosphere filling the air with the tropical melodies of
the islands complimenting perfectly a beautifully sunny morning.
PHI Pharmacy shared the space and celebrated
its anniversary by providing the community with free blood pressure and blood
sugar testing.
The festivities officially kicked-off when
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos arrived at 9 a.m. for the proclamation signing.
Joining Inos at the VIP table was Department
of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold Palacios and Northern Marianas
College President Dr. Sharon Hart as representative of the institution’s Cooperative
Education and Extension services.
To the crowd’s delight Marianas High school
sophomore and 4-H (head, heart, hands and health) member Maria Zinampan read
aloud the proclamation that praised the diligent and crucial work of island
farmers and declared this week as “Simanan Lanchero” (week of the
farmer).
Secretary Palacios thanked the farmers for
their “sunrise to sunset dedication on behalf of the community…industries come
and go but farming is one constant we can all count on.”
Hart spoke of her own upbringing as a farm
girl and subsequent forays at tilling the land.
“Farming is my love as well and CREES is
always here to help you,” expressed Hart.
Rep. Joseph Palacios, R-Saipan, encouraged
the agriculture community to “market regionally... not a single piece of fruit
or vegetable should be allowed to go to waste,” he stated.
This Saturday’s Sabalu Farmers Market at the
4-H Club building on Beach Road plays host to Saipan’s largest yearly farming
and ranching event.
Saipan’s agriculture fair is the perfect
family-friendly outing that allows children to get up close and personal with a
variety of animals and home-grown fruits and vegetables.
Competition registration forms are available
at the DLNR (Lower Base Road, 322-9830); NMC-CREES (234-5498 ex. 1709); Kagman
agriculture station (256-3319); and Saipan Municipal Council (664-2700).
For only $50 island vendors are encouraged to
participate in the fair for access to a group of wonderful customers.
Saipan’s Agriculture Fair is a collaborative
effort among DLNR, NMC-CREES and the Saipan Agricultural Fair Association.
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