A Small-Scale Integrated Farm System in a Tropical Insular Environment of Guam: A Case Study

Abstract

Construction of an integrated model farm at the University of Guam started in 2001 to demonstrate a small agricultural production enterprise operated by Asian-Pacific Islanders. The main objective of maintaining the model farm is to show a profitable agricultural system while conserving natural resources and meeting consumer demand. Currently, the farm has three sections depending on characteristic of agricultural products and cultural practices: (1) aquaponics, a system combining aquaculture and hydro plant-culture, (2) horticultural crop production with fruit, vegetable and ornamental plants in the field, and (3) cage-free egg production in agroforestry. The integrated production system emphasizes biodiversity, a multiple cropping system, utilization of renewable farm resources, and soil and water conservation. The aquaponics system adds a new horticultural practice in the tropics, suggesting a great potential for leafy lettuce and herb production for local markets. Today, leafy lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is the main horticultural crop at the farm. Additional income comes from calamansi (× Citrofortunella microcarpa), a fruit crop and Ti leaf, Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev., a foliage crop. Several other vegetable crops are grown. However, the return has been negligible in this farm operation. This paper presents a case study on developing a small-scale integrated model farm in a tropical urban insular environment of Guam with the emphasis on diversity of horticultural crops produced from the farm.