Certain groups in the CNMI experience disproportionately high levels of food insecurity, including women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income households. These populations often face barriers such as limited access to nutritious and affordable food, lack of land or tools, and minimal training in food production. Because the CNMI imports over 90% of its food, many families are especially vulnerable to price spikes and supply disruptions. Community-centered agriculture provides a powerful solution by giving residents the knowledge, tools, and space to grow their own food, helping improve dietary diversity, increase resilience, and reduce reliance on imported goods through home and community gardens.

Women play a central role in household food production in the CNMI, making their involvement essential to improving food security and promoting equity. Empowering women in agriculture can be achieved through training in gardening, crop diversification, and small-scale marketing, as well as providing access to shared plots and community garden spaces. Supporting women in taking on leadership roles within cooperative groups further strengthens their influence in local food systems, helping create more resilient families and communities.

People with disabilities often face barriers in accessing land, tools, and agricultural knowledge, making it difficult to participate fully in local food production. Adaptive gardening practices help ensure inclusivity by incorporating features such as raised beds and container gardens for easier access, ergonomic tools designed for reduced mobility, and accessible pathways within community garden spaces. These inclusive approaches foster dignity and social connection while strengthening community ties, demonstrating that everyone can contribute meaningfully to the CNMI’s food security.

Community gardens serve as important hubs for learning, collaboration, and cultural preservation. They increase access to fresh produce, create opportunities for cultural exchange, and help preserve traditional crops and growing practices. These shared spaces also strengthen social cohesion by bringing neighbors together through shared work and shared harvests. For example, a neighborhood garden in Saipan can unite families as they exchange knowledge about crops like taro, breadfruit, and indigenous herbs, while workshops, harvest festivals, and cooking demonstrations further deepen community connections and celebrate local traditions.

Community-focused agriculture generates measurable social benefits that extend far beyond food production. Program participation can be tracked through the number of youth, women, and disability-inclusive participants, while food production is measured by the volume and diversity of crops grown. Community engagement is reflected in workshop attendance, volunteer hours, and community events, and dietary improvements can be seen through increased consumption of fresh, locally grown produce. Tracking these metrics allows programs to refine their approach, replicate successful models, and attract the resources and support needed for long-term expansion.

Challenges to expanding community agriculture in the CNMI include limited access to land in urban areas, funding constraints for programs and infrastructure, and climate-related risks such as droughts and typhoons. Addressing these issues requires strengthening partnerships with schools, NGOs, and local authorities; expanding youth and women’s programs to ensure inclusivity; promoting traditional crops and cultural education; and advocating for policies that improve land access, water management, and funding for community agriculture. With adequate support, small community-led initiatives can grow into transformative, lasting projects that strengthen local resilience.

Agriculture in the CNMI is more than planting seeds. It is about nurturing communities and building a foundation for social equity and food security. By focusing on vulnerable populations, including youth and women, and by preserving cultural knowledge and traditional crops, local agriculture empowers residents while reinforcing cultural identity. Community gardens, school-based programs, and inclusive agricultural practices create spaces for learning, connection, and resilience. When communities cultivate food together, they grow more than crops. They grow knowledge, empowerment, and stronger, more cohesive neighborhoods.