The research stations in operation cover all of the major soil types on Guam and offer University researchers places to conduct field experiments. These experiments are designed to ensure a safe, nutritious, and affordable food supply and support the preservation and protection of the island’s natural resources. The stations are also used as teaching facilities for University classes and extension and outreach programs. 

Ija Research & Education Center (established 1978) covers 65 acres in southern Guam near the village of Inarajan. Current research areas represented at Ija include horticulture, soil science, and plant pathology. 

Inarajan Research & Education Center (established 1975) is located in southern Guam in the village of Inarajan with 10.6 acres available for research. Agricultural Research Technicians work closely with scientists on projects designed to improve tropical agriculture techniques.  

Yigo Research & Education Center (established 1986) is located in northern Guam in the village of Yigo covering 47 acres. Research on organic waste composting is one of the ongoing projects at this station.  

 

Yigo Research & Education Center is also the home of the Triton Farm, an integrated demonstration farm. 

Misson

The Triton Farm contributes to the University of Guam’s land grant mission of “Ina” (to enlighten), Deskubre (to discover) and Setbe (to serve) by providing research, instruction, and research opportunities in sustainable agriculture practices to faculty, students, farmers, and other community members in Micronesia. The Triton Farm promotes agricultural production, sustainable environmental management, food security, economic development, and enhanced quality of life incorporating Micronesian and global agricultural wisdom as well as culturally appropriate techniques while embracing inclusiveness, fairness, and collaboration.

Goals

• To provide outreach and training opportunities for farmers, growers, youth, civic groups, government personnel, and other stakeholders appropriate to the needs and interests of farmers and other community members
• To contribute to the instruction mission of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences and other colleges and schools of the University of Guam by providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities
• To enable research activities to generate new knowledge on agriculture in its broadest sense
• To foster innovation on adaption to island climatic conditions, agroforestry, aquaponics, beekeeping, egg production, food science, human nutrition, improved plant germplasm, organic waste management, pesticide-free horticulture, plant health, small-scale farming systems, value added processing, and other topics
• To maintain demonstrations on farming systems appropriate to the socio-economic and biophysical conditions of Guam engaging local communities and other stakeholders 

Guidelines for Land Use at Research & Education Centers