From Yard to Table: How Backyard Gardens Can Boost Food Security in the CNMI

The Power of Local Food

Imagine stepping outside your home in Saipan, Rota, or Tinian and harvesting fresh eggplants, peppers, and lemongrass for dinner. The air smells of soil and sun-warmed basil, and your hands remind you that good food doesn’t have to come from a cargo ship.

In the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), over 90% of food is imported. That means nearly everything on our plates, from rice, vegetables, meats, fruits, travels thousands of miles before it reaches our stores. This dependence on imports makes our islands vulnerable to price increases, shipping delays, and global supply chain disruptions.

But the solution to stronger food security might be closer than we think—right in our own backyards.

Backyard gardening is more than a pastime. It’s a movement toward self-reliance, health, and resilience, and it’s gaining momentum across the Marianas through community efforts led by the Marianas Producers Association (MPA) and local partners.

Why Backyard Gardens Matter

Building Food Security and Self-Reliance

Every head of lettuce or bunch of okra grown locally replaces an item that would otherwise be imported. While one small garden may seem insignificant, hundreds of them can collectively reduce dependence on outside sources.

During emergencies, such as typhoons or the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, home gardens became lifelines. Families who grew their own greens or root crops were less affected by shortages and price hikes. In a place where isolation can quickly lead to scarcity, food self-sufficiency starts one seed at a time.

Improving Nutrition and Health

Fresh, homegrown produce is healthier, tastier, and more nutritious than most imported alternatives. It encourages families to eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods. Children who help plant and harvest are more likely to enjoy eating what they grow, building lifelong healthy habits.

Gardening also provides a physical outlet and mental relief. Tending plants outdoors can reduce stress, increase activity levels, and improve overall well-being—a benefit many discovered during pandemic lockdowns.

Strengthening the Local Economy

A thriving culture of backyard gardens can also stimulate the local economy. Households save money on groceries, and any surplus produce can be traded or sold at community markets. Neighborhoods benefit from local circulation of goods and knowledge, creating informal “micro-economies” that keep value within the islands.

Protecting the Environment

Gardening locally also reduces CNMI’s carbon footprint. Fewer imported goods mean fewer emissions from shipping. Composting and soil enrichment recycle organic waste that would otherwise go to landfills, improving soil quality and reducing methane emissions. In short, every backyard garden—no matter how small—supports a more sustainable and resilient Marianas.

Support and Resources: How MPA Can Help

MPA Programs

Backyard Gardening Workshops – Hands-on sessions teaching planting, composting, pest management, and water conservation

AgVets Initiative – Supporting veterans through agricultural training and micro-enterprise opportunities
Public Awareness Campaigns – Promoting food security and sustainability across CNMI

Partner Resources

NMC-CREES (Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension & Education Service): Offers technical advice, workshops, and research-based recommendations.
CNMI Division of Agriculture: Provides micro-grants and support for both small farmers and home gardeners

Growing More Than Food

Backyard gardening in the CNMI is more than a way to fill your table. It’s a statement of self-reliance, sustainability, and community spirit. Each seed planted is an act of hope for a more secure, healthier future.

By nurturing our own small plots, we reconnect with the land and our heritage. We teach our children where food truly comes from. And we strengthen the resilience of our islands, one garden at a time.

The next time you pass a patch of soil or an empty container, imagine what it could become–a garden that feeds your family, your neighbors, and the future of the Marianas.

Get involved

Visit www.mpacnmi.org to learn more, volunteer, or register for upcoming events and training opportunities.

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