American Samoa was the final stop in a series of professional development workshops held throughout the Pacific for agricultural professionals, growers, processors, policymakers, educators, extension agents, and others interested in revitalizing use of breadfruit.
The local Breadfruit Agroforestry Workshop was hosted by the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources (ACNR) Land Grant Division.
Dr. Craig Elevitch, an educator in agroforestry and sustainable human agroecosystems from Hawaii said, “We are here to share with you what’s happening in the world with breadfruit. Even though this is the home of breadfruit, the rest of the world has discovered it and is using it more and more in creative and innovative ways.
ASCC-ACNR Director Aufa‘i Apulu Ropeti Areta said the workshop 
provides learning opportunities to share knowledge, innovations, entrepreneurial enterprises, especially reflecting on the wisdom of our ancestors in using ‘ulu’ for agroforestry, traditional food preparation, construction of traditional guest houses and canoes, handicrafts, medicine.
“All of this demonstrates the cultural importance of ‘ulu’ in Samoan legends, history and oratory,” said Aufa’i.
ASCC President Dr. Makaiwi-Pato provided the opening remarks, followed by a series of presentations.
Workshop facilitators Dr. Elevitch and Mr. Jim Currie presented on current developments in breadfruit revitalization, breadfruit products, food safety, agroforest planning and the effect of breadfruit trees on soil in agroforestry. ACNR Horticulture Researcher Dr. Ian Gurr presented on the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) programs and grant opportunities. Pastor and Agriculture Extension Program Manager Autagavaia Tunai Alfred Peters offered the opening and closing prayers.
“Breadfruit trees are still here, and your example in American Samoa is one that the world can follow in terms of growing breadfruit sustainably, consuming and embracing breadfruit as part of a healthy, nutritious diet,” said Dr. Elevitch.
The workshop was supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program.
It was organized by ASCC-ACNR, Permanent Agriculture Resources, and Ho‘oulu ka ‘Ulu. The Hawaii Homegrown Food Network, Agroforestry Net, Olohana Foundation, and the Global Biodiversity Heritage Council provided additional support.
For more information on WSARE program and grant opportunities, contact ASCC-ACNR Horticulture Researcher Dr. Ian Gurr at 699-1575 ext. 234.
