To cultivate the future of sustainable agriculture in Hawaiʻi, GoFarm Hawaiʻi, an extension program of the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s (CTAHR), is training its 10th group of new farmers on its Pūlehunui training site on Maui in September.

The cohort began with the five-week AgXposure phase, where participants explored diverse production systems and learned directly from established Maui farmers. Site visits included Kēōkea Malalani with Common Ground Collective, Kupaʻa Farms, Lā ʻUlu at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens and Hawaiʻi Taro Farm.

“Being part of AgXposure outlined the state of farming and agriculture on Maui and showed us that there are many methods of farming and many ways to impact the food system…it has opened more doors of opportunity, and my imagination has run wild with all the possibilities,” shared one aspiring farmer.

From seed to sales: hands-on training, specialized skills

Nine students who completed AgXposure have advanced into the 7–month intensive AgXcel phase. The curriculum covers everything from seed to sales: crop production, soil health, farm systems, equipment operation, harvest techniques, food safety, farm financials and more.

Each student is required to develop a detailed crop plan of 25 varieties of vegetables for a 7–week Community Supported Agriculture—a weekly subscription box of mixed vegetables—that they will implement under the guidance of their farm coach. Students will also market their produce and track sales to practice essential entrepreneurial skills.

The group is expected to graduate in April 2026. Graduates who demonstrate they can manage a farm may apply for the AgIncubator program, the final stage of GoFarm Hawaiʻi’s pathway to farm ownership.

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Ian Kennedy credits (GFH) with leveling up his farming business, Strata Farms. “It gave me the financial literacy of startup costs in a farm, my first exposure to cash-flow projections to determine business viability, and allowed me to feel confident investing into farming as a career,” said Ian Kennedy, a 2024 graduate of the Waimānalo GoFarm AgIncubator. Through the program, Ian joined a hui of 10 other farmers to learn diversified vegetable production.

An extension program of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s (CTAHR), GoFarm Hawaiʻi is training the next generation of agriculture leaders in modern farming and business practices. More than 600 local farmers have graduated from the program since 2013 and are using the knowledge gained through the program to build their small-scale operations. Supporting small farmers is vital for the future of local food production—90% of the state’s farmers cultivate crops on less than 50 acres of land, according to the 2023 Hawaiʻi State Data Book.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi blends classroom instruction with hands-on experience in sustainable vegetable production and business management. This approach empowers participants to succeed as “agri-preneurs,” driving local food production and strengthening the agricultural economy. Last year, the program provided 15,430 training hours to 88 participants, who are projected to produce 1.8 million pounds of food in the next five years.

• Read more ����Vlog�ٷ� News stories about the GoFarm Hawaiʻi program.

Growing more fruits, vegetables, and livestock in Hawaiʻi

In 2024, graduates averaged 44 years old—17 years younger than the average farmer in Hawaiʻi. Nearly 90% of graduates since 2022 have launched farm businesses or joined the agriculture workforce, addressing the state’s aging farmer population. Their work keeps the state moving forward in our shared vision of a Hawaiʻi where more of our fruits, vegetables, and proteins are grown, harvested, and prepared by our neighbors.

The program offers graduates ongoing support and land access for up to three years, providing them a low-risk opportunity to start their own businesses. Since 2017, participants have reached nearly $1.5 million in farm sales, showcasing GFH’s impact on fostering sustainable farm businesses.

GFH’s innovative approach exemplifies ����Vlog�ٷ�’s commitment to workforce development, one of the pillars of ����Vlog�ٷ�’s strategic plan. To learn more, or e-mail info@gofarmhawaii.org.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (CTAHR) has received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide language-appropriate outreach to Thai, Lao, Ilocano, Chinese and other immigrant farmers. Funding is made through the USDA Office of Partnership and Public Engagement’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers program, also known as the 2501 program.

“This grant gives us the ability to expand some of the long-term, ongoing work of CTAHR extension agents who have been striving to better serve the diverse populations we have in the state,” said Emilie Kirk, an assistant extension agent located on Kauaʻi and the (LIFE) program lead. “The funds will also help us revitalize the LIFE program as a statewide umbrella for these efforts that have been going on.”

The meaning of ‘LIFE’

The LIFE program first started as the Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Program by former Extension Associate Specialist Sabina Swift in 2002, stemming from the need to provide accessible pesticide safety education in multiple languages for Hawaiʻi’s diverse population.

Under the management of Extension Agent Jari Sugano from 2008, the LIFE program has provided training in addition to outreach, technical assistance and language accessibility to immigrant farmers with limited English proficiency, ultimately giving underserved producers more meaningful access to agricultural services.

With the current three-year grant, the LIFE program is collaborating with , the , and other partners, tailoring workshops and more to fit each community they work with specifically at the time. Structured to focus on two islands per year, the LIFE program is currently spotlighting the Thai and Lao languages on the islands of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu.

In the first half of 2023, the LIFE program has been able to support Thai farmers through an irrigation water management workshop on Kauaʻi; an agriculture land financing workshop given in both English and Thai on Kauaʻi; farmer resource fairs featuring more than 20 service providers and multiple language interpreters on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu; and Farm Doctor (a subprogram of the LIFE program) visits with CTAHR extension faculty on Kauaʻi to address farmer needs on an individual basis.

“We recognize the diverse needs and dynamic demographics of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural community,” said Kirk. “We want to remain adaptive and responsive to keep up and to the best of our abilities provide services to the full spectrum of our farmers across the islands.”

Upcoming events include an Oʻahu irrigation workshop, training video production and farm record keeping workshops on both islands.

The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (CTAHR) helped a midwest university club grow in horticulture knowledge during their five-day spring break trip.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Horticulture Club journeyed to Hawaiʻi and explored research and horticultural opportunities and insight through CTAHR’s Cooperative Extension. The students toured the Waimānalo Research Station and Urban Garden Center and viewed the aquaponics and aquaculture field trial areas with the Sustainable and Organic Agriculture program. They also learned about minor crop registration issues on coffee with the Cooperative Extension’s IR-4 Minor Crop Registration Program and set up a static hydroponic system developed using CTAHR-generated science.

For a cultural learning experience, the Nebraskan club had the opportunity to visit the beginner farmer program to learn about food sustainability; they saw native Hawaiian plants and explored cultural preservation with the Master Garden Program, and learned about culturally important crops such as māmaki (typically brewed for tea) and other local flowers and resources that could be used to make plant-based dyes and more with Oʻahu 4-H.

“As a faculty member with an extension appointment, I knew we would be able to see many horticultural opportunities by reaching out to CTAHR Extension,” said Terri James, associate extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

CTAHR’s team made up of Christine Hanakawa, Alberto Ricordi, Jensen Uyeda, Ted Radovich, Tina Lau, Eric Collier, Ken Leonhardt, James Kam, Richard Fisher and Pono Chung lined up horticultural examples in both the urban and research settings.

The students came away with a better understanding of the much different microclimate zones than their own zones, yet sharing similar issues such as a lack of rain on the leeward side of Oʻahu’s mountain range having a rain shadow effect. Nebraskans also have that effect on the western side of their state due to the Rocky Mountain range.

“My main goal with these trips is to have students see that, although they learn horticulture in one location, by understanding the basics, they can apply their knowledge to any geographical location,” James said. “Thank you CTAHR for hosting us. We had a fantastic time. I look forward to our next visit. And, if you are in Nebraska, please let us return the favor.”

The successes and concerns of University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s (CTAHR) Waimānalo Research Station were recently shared during a visit with state legislators.

Sens. Mike Gabbard, Lynn DeCoite, Herbert M. “Tim” Richards, III and Brenton Awa, representing the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment, in addition to Micah-Seth Munekata of met with CTAHR’s program and its farmer graduates.

“It was great to have so many Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee members visit with the GoFarm Hawaiʻi staff and farmers at CTAHR‘s Waimānalo Research Station,” said Janel Yamamoto, director of GoFarm Hawaiʻi. “The Senators were able to connect directly with the GoFarm Hawaiʻi team and graduate farmers to see how they are impacting the local food system and learn about challenges. Hopefully this will translate into increased support for our agricultural sector.”

Initiated by Gabbard, the visit allowed him and fellow committee members to prepare for the 2023 legislative session. The meeting granted them the chance to “see the wonderful work that [CTAHR] is doing in creating the next generation of trained and successful farmers,” said DeCoite.

“That’s why we’re here,” said Gabbard. “You can imagine the paperwork our staff has to consider in dealing with about 3,000 bills introduced every year in the legislature. This visit makes it real. We meet the people, we’re out here on the land, so when we consider that legislation, we remember Janel, and Laura Ediger, and Rachel Ladrig. This makes it real.”

Although the senators did not visit in relation to a specific bill or ask, the opportunity to have them see and connect with Hawaiʻi’s local farmers demonstrated the value of the program.

The University of Hawaiʻi recently received a total of $1.9 million from the federal government to promote and strengthen its ability as a Native Hawaiian-serving institution to carry out education, applied research and related community development programs broadly within food and agricultural sciences. The three grants are from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s , which was established in 2008 to find innovative solutions to issues related to agriculture, food, the environment and communities. Two grants went to and one went to .

“This funding is an important investment in the future of Hawaiʻi’s food and agriculture system, and the Native Hawaiian communities that have been stewards of the land for centuries,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said in a release. “����Vlog�ٷ�’s programs, like , play an important role in teaching and training the next generation of individuals who will care for the land and be responsible for strengthening Hawaiʻi’s sustainability practices. I am glad that this funding will be used to support our local economy, develop our workforce, and engage members of the Native Hawaiian community as we work to protect the land and feed our communities for years to come.”

Grants and excerpts of their descriptions

Hawaii-One-Ag 2022: Enhancing Agricultural Education at the University of Hawaii ($999,970)

“The goal of Hawaii-One-Ag is to engage increasing numbers of Hawaii residents in post-secondary education. Educational opportunities in agriculture and environmental management are available at almost all ����Vlog�ٷ� colleges and universities. Our plan to better connect and articulate these opportunities will provide prospective students with pathways to obtaining degrees and employment in rewarding careers.”

ʻIke Kupuna: Integrating Traditional Knowledge Into Natural Resource Sciences ($475,000)

“The health of island communities and cultures depends on the quality and abundance of water resources. However, managing our limited water resources in the face of growing pressures such as a rising population, land-use changes and climate change, is challenging. In addition, there is a need to increase indigenous peoples’ participation in the management of their natural resources.

ʻIke Kupuna: Integrating Traditional Knowledge Into Natural Resource Sciences, will combine education and extension with a focus on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and practices to broaden participation in the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FAN) sciences and ensure the perpetuation of Maui’s water resources. ʻIke Kupuna will focus on curriculum design, student experiential learning, and student recruitment, retention and educational equity. ʻIke Kupuna will build self-sufficiency in the indigenous grower community by offering a training program and resources for water quality monitoring. In total, this project will directly impact 53 people, of which 45% will be Native Hawaiian.”

GoFarm Hawaii (GFH): Growing Hawaii’s Agricultural Workforce and Industry ($440,000)

“This Integrated Research, Education and Extension project will help improve Hawaii’s local economy, reduce its dependence on imported food, and increase food sustainability by educating and developing the local agricultural workforce. GoFarm Hawaii (GFH) prepares students for careers in food, agriculture, and natural resources by offering a certificate-based farmer training program that provides a non-traditional, experiential education pathway for adult learners. GFH also provides business technical assistance to existing and aspiring farmers.

This project will improve GFH‘s beginning farmer training by enhancing its curriculum and leadership training. Educational opportunities for farmers will be expanded through a series of courses that include growing Native Hawaiian Canoe Crops, increasing farm revenue opportunities, and improving farm skills. GFH will increase its support of Native Hawaiian (NH)/ Underrepresented (UR) community on Molokai and staff will deepen its agricultural and cultural knowledge. GFH will increase networking and outreach with NH/UR communities. Leadership opportunities for students, GFH staff, and its network will also be added. The project activities have statewide reach, fill identified needs, and create immediate economic and food system impact.”

The future of Hawaiʻi’s agriculture, which is vital to the state’s local food supply and economic health, hinges on the next generation of farmers. To support beginning and small farmers, American AgCredit and CoBank increased their investment in the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�, (CTAHR) farmer training program, . The $1 million gift establishes a matching grant program that will help GoFarm Hawaiʻi graduates grow their agricultural businesses, which enhances food security, provides local fresh food and supports economic growth in the islands.

“Agricultural production in Hawaiʻi is concentrated on smaller farms, and more than a third of Hawaiʻi’s farmers have less than 10 years of experience,” said CTAHR Dean Nicholas Comerford. “Supporting these young, beginning and small farmers is important to help alleviate Hawaiʻi’s reliance on imported food, which restricts access to fresh food and makes our island state especially vulnerable to disruptions in food supply. This grant enables our GoFarm Hawaiʻi graduates to build farming businesses that benefit all of us here in Hawaiʻi.”

Today, GoFarm Hawaiʻi stands as one of the largest and most successful farmer development programs in the nation, graduating 480 participants since its inception in 2013. The program provides young, beginning and small farmers with business technical assistance, educational opportunities and access to a suite of resources designed to remove barriers to farming and agribusinesses.

“The new grant directly supports GoFarm Hawaiʻi program graduates, who are now local farmers,” said GoFarm Hawaiʻi Director Janel Yamamoto. “It equips these farmers with the knowledge, experience and confidence to build and grow their farm—and contribute to Hawaiʻi’s food security and economic growth.”

The grant, which must be personally matched by the farmer, provides up to $25,000 per applicant, which may be used to finance a land purchase, operating expenses or equipment. The farmer match may consist of cash, a bank loan or a combination of both.

“We focus on support for young, beginning and small farmers and ranchers as a critical part of our cooperative’s mission,” said Fred Dixon, regional banking executive for American AgCredit’s coastal region. “In our experience, to be successful these farmers need capital to get started, and they need resources like business training and support. We’re pleased to partner with GoFarm Hawaiʻi to provide the foundation that young, beginning and small farmers need—in terms of capital and skills—to kickstart their future, and agriculture in Hawaiʻi.”

“CoBank is delighted to expand on our partnership with American AgCredit and GoFarm Hawaiʻi to support a new generation of agriculture in Hawaiʻi,” said Brenda Frank, executive vice president of CoBank’s Farm Credit Banking Group. “The GoFarm Hawaiʻi program creates opportunities for entry and strong pathways toward success for young, beginning and small producers, which in turn strengthens local agriculture and food access throughout the state.”

This grant rounds out American AgCredit and CoBank’s $3 million commitment to invest in food security in the islands and support young, beginning and small farmers new to the agriculture space.

• Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story: $2M gift to develop local farmers, food supply, January 31, 2021

“It is truly inspiring to see partners such as American AgCredit and CoBank step in with their generous donations to address critical issues like Hawaiʻi’s food security and local economy,” said Tim Dolan, ����Vlog�ٷ� Foundation CEO and ����Vlog�ٷ� vice president of advancement. “We are grateful for their investment in Hawaiʻi’s next generation of farmers.”

This effort is an example of ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

Three University of Hawaiʻi projects have received a total of more than $1.6 million in grants to support food and agricultural science for underrepresented students. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture in funding for Native Hawaiian-serving and Alaska Native-serving institutions. These are the ����Vlog�ٷ� grants with their descriptions:

Hawaii-One-Ag: Developing New Pathways In Agricultural Education and Future Career Growth, $1 million

“The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated that the State of Hawaiʻi must create a more sustainable agriculture industry to support local food production and a diverse agricultural economy. Hawaii-One-Ag is an eight-member consortium effort to create agricultural education options for students, and pathways for career opportunities and professional growth. Native Hawaiians (NH) are underrepresented in higher education due to access to articulated classes and programs, the perceived workforce demand, and the perceived benefits of an agricultural education. The ����Vlog�ٷ� system is well-placed to serve NH and underserved students from across the state (rural to urban) and from a diversity of educational foundations (high school to doctorate), supporting all student situations with advising, mentorships and student resources. The Hawaii-One-Ag consortium will provide a diversity of educational offerings to meet the needs of our community, our colleges and our islands, from K–12 outreach, with special attention to high school students, to undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including specialized certificates of completion for skills training within the ����Vlog�ٷ� system. Our programs are aimed at high school students, college students, agricultural workers who want to further develop their professional and technical skills, and job seekers displaced by COVID-19 pursuing employment opportunities in food and agriculture.”

GoFarm Hawaiʻi (GFH): Training New Farmers and Growing Agribusiness In Hawaiʻi, $450,000

“This Integrated Extension and Education project aims to reduce Hawaiʻi’s dependence on imported food, increase food sustainability, develop the local workforce and support the state’s pandemic economic recovery through an affordable program for adult learners to pursue careers and business in food production. GoFarm Hawaiʻi (GFH) prepares students for careers in food, agriculture and natural resource systems through a certificate-based farmer training program, and supports existing farmers through education and business consulting. The project will enhance GFH‘s program and capacity to develop and support Native Hawaiian (NH) and underrepresented (UR) farmers, building on prior success and experience, and integrating industry and participant feedback. The project will elevate the quality of food, agriculture and natural resource education in Hawaiʻi with the latest science-based and business knowledge, using practical implementation and experiential learning so students can apply lessons in the field (production) and as a business (marketing product, business planning). Collaborations with extension experts and community partners will strengthen the quality and capacity of the project. The project supports multiple need areas including enhanced curricula, instructional offerings, faculty development, informal experiential learning, and targeted outreach and engagement to improve science-based agricultural educational literacy and equity for NH, UR and youth populations and train the next generation of Hawaiʻi’s farmers.”

����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu: Undergraduate Pathways Bridging Excellence In Agriculture and Tradition (UP–BEAT), $207,687

“This project identified the need to take immediate steps to diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy, increase production of local foods, and build greater climate change resilience for enhanced food security; it also identified Indigenous knowledge and traditional food ways as key to transitioning the food system towards sustainability, community health and resilience. The , led by the faculty and staff of the ����Vlog�ٷ� West Oʻahu Sustainable Community Foods Systems program, will educate and train a new generation of food, agriculture, natural resource and human science professionals to think across traditional disciplinary and cultural boundaries to engage and address the many contemporary challenges in the agri-food system of Hawaiʻi and beyond. The proposed UP–BEAT project empowers students to understand and integrate Indigenous knowledge with natural and social science content to build a sustainable food system, and it emphasizes problem-based and experiential learning in order to develop food system professionals capable of solving real-world problems and transitioning Hawaiʻi’s food system toward greater ecological sustainability, social equity, human health and climate change resilience.”

The University of Hawaiʻi’s successful farmer-training program, , was awarded a 3-year, $500,000 grant from the (USDA-NIFA). The grant will enable GoFarm Hawaiʻi to continue its partnership with to offer its beginning-farmer training program through the Agriculture and Natural Resources program, and will add an intensive value-added food production training course so students can consider revenue diversification options.

����Vlog�ٷ� Maui College has years of experience in food manufacturing education, and now they will be sharing that knowledge with aspiring farmers. The goal is to help the Valley Isle develop its workforce by providing production, business and leadership skills to those looking to enter the food and agricultural industry.

“We are excited to further collaborate with ����Vlog�ٷ� Maui College,” said GoFarm Hawaiʻi Director Janel Yamamoto, who was instrumental in landing one of only 19 Agricultural Workforce Training grants awarded across the country.

“Value-added products can increase the economic value of agricultural commodities and help farmers attain higher revenues and margins,” added Yamamoto. “We are looking forward to recruiting for our next cohort in May and adding food manufacturing to the curriculum!”

Agricultural Workforce Training grants are part of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative and are designed to provide community, technical or junior college students with the skills and tools necessary to secure industry-accepted credentials in order to join the workforce.

This work is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative-Agricultural Workforce Training Priority Area, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

More on GoFarm Hawaiʻi

GoFarm Hawaiʻi, a collaborative effort involving ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s (CTAHR), and ����Vlog�ٷ�’s Agribusiness Incubator Program, provides a comprehensive and practical production and business training program, and connects aspiring farmers with CTAHR experts, existing farmers and the local agriculture community. There are six training sites statewide that support farmers and individuals who want to establish businesses in the agricultural industry.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi has been addressing the issue of food security long before the COVID-19 health crisis. Since 2012, it has trained more than 370 aspiring farmers, helping to reduce Hawaiʻi’s dependence on imported food and increase food sustainability.

This effort is an example of ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

(AAC) has pledged $2 million to support , one of the largest and most successful beginning farmer development programs in the nation. The University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� (CTAHR) program provides business technical assistance, educational opportunities and access to a suite of resources designed to remove barriers to farming and agribusinesses. It also operates five beginning farmer training sites across four islands and an agricultural technician training program at the Waiawa Correctional Facility.

“Food sustainability and economic diversification are key post-pandemic priorities for our state,” ����Vlog�ٷ� President David Lassner said. “Many of the GoFarm Hawaiʻi program’s alumni have started independent businesses or secured jobs in the agricultural industry. This strategic philanthropic investment from AAC provides a major boost to our state’s next generation of farmers and our agricultural community statewide.”

The has a goal of doubling local food production by 2030.

“Hawaiʻi imports about 85–90% of its food, making it particularly vulnerable to disruptions in food supply,” said CTAHR Dean Nicholas Comerford. “Our GoFarm Hawaiʻi program addresses this by providing farmers with the tools they need to be successful, and expanding our local food supply—a necessity for our entire community.”

National donors

The donation represents the combined contributions of AAC and CoBank, both members of the nationwide Farm Credit System.

“We are thrilled to be able to support the great work GoFarm Hawaiʻi has been doing for nearly 20 years,” AAC President and CEO Curt Hudnutt said. “American AgCredit’s mission, to support all segments of agriculture, is so closely aligned to that of GoFarm Hawaiʻi and this commitment is just a perfect fit for us.”

“Everyone in American agriculture understands the need to grow and develop the next generation of farmers and ranchers,” added Bill Davis, executive vice president of CoBank’s Farm Credit Banking Group. “It is absolutely critical for the industry and for the country as a whole. But for those who don’t come from a farming background, it can be difficult to get started. GoFarm Hawaiʻi has a proven and successful model for engaging beginning farmers and, together with our partners at AAC, we are delighted to be a part of their continued success.”

Diverse local support

GoFarm Hawaiʻi Director Janel Yamamoto added, “We are extremely grateful for American AgCredit and CoBank’s support of our practical training program built around the real-world needs of tomorrow’s farmers. With their support, and the support of other key partners, we can help experienced farmers looking to expand and needing assistance to develop a business plan or proposal, as well as people new to agriculture, wanting to learn the basics of farming.”

The GoFarm Hawaiʻi program is financially supported by competitive grants and private donations. Kamehameha Schools, the Ulupono Initiative, USDA NIFA and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture have been strong supporters of the program since its inception.

Many additional organizations provide access to financial support, land, facilities, contribute labor/time, resources and expertise to support program participants. Program supporters and collaborators include: Kauaʻi Community College; ����Vlog�ٷ� Maui College; Corteva Agriscience; CTAHR Cooperative Extension, Hi!Ag Consortium; ����Vlog�ٷ� Sea Grant; The Kohala Center; Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Hawaiʻi Department of Public Safety; City and County of Honolulu; County of Hawaiʻi; Kauaʻi County Office of Economic Development; Farm Service Agency; Natural Resource Conservation Service; Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority; Oʻahu Resource Conservation & Development Council; North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership; Farm Link Hawaiʻi; Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaiʻi; Hoʻola Veteran Services; Sustainable Molokaʻi; and the Hawaiʻi Agritourism Association.

This effort is an example of ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

The University of Hawaiʻi’s successful farmer-training program, , is the only project in the state to be awarded a from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA

The $600,000 grant will support education, mentoring and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers. The primary goal is to improve success through projects that provide the knowledge, skills and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations, and enhance their sustainability.

“We are so grateful to USDA-NIFA for supporting our program,” said GoFarm Hawaiʻi Director Janel Yamamoto. “This investment will help to develop more sustainable farmers in Hawaiʻi, increase our local food supply, and grow our next generation of farmers.”

• Read more ����Vlog�ٷ� News stories on the GoFarm Hawaiʻi program.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi, a collaborative effort involving ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s (CTAHR), and ����Vlog�ٷ�’s Agribusiness Incubator Program, provides a comprehensive and practical production and business training program, and connects aspiring farmers with CTAHR experts, existing farmers and the local agriculture community. There are six training sites statewide that support farmers and individuals who want to establish businesses in the agricultural industry.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi has been addressing the issue of food security long before the COVID-19 health crisis. Since 2012, it has trained more than 370 aspiring farmers, helping to reduce Hawaiʻi’s dependence on imported food and increase food sustainability.

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Since farmers’ markets have been shut down for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, local farmers are concerned about how they will be able to sell their produce, and locavores are wondering where they are going to buy their local produce and value-added products.

The University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s successful farmer-training program, , has been building a list of some as well as , a list of farmers who are still offering access to food in non-traditional ways, such as through pick-up and drop-off. They have the information promoted on their and pages so that farmers can add their information.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi has been addressing the issue of food security long before the unprecedented COVID-19 health crisis.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi is a collaborative effort involving ����Vlog�ٷ� ��ā�ԴDz�’s , and ����Vlog�ٷ�’s Agribusiness Incubator Program.

They are looking for farmers who have food to sell as well as building a resource for people to access food. GoFarm Hawaiʻi is also requesting any recommendations of services that can aid farmers during the interim so they can be added to the list.

More on GoFarm Hawaiʻi

GoFarm Hawaiʻi has five program sites across four islands, making it one of the largest beginning-farmer training programs in the nation. Sites are located on Oʻahu (in Waimānalo and Waialua), Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. Started in 2012, the program has successfully trained aspiring farmers throughout the state.

The University of Hawaiʻi’s successful farmer-training program has received $600,000 from the . The additional funding will allow GoFarm Hawaiʻi to continue training aspiring farmers to increase local agricultural production.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi has five program sites across four islands, making it one of the largest beginning-farmer training programs in the nation. Sites are located on Oʻahu (in Waimānalo and Waialua), Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. Started in 2012, the program has trained more than 260 aspiring farmers throughout the state.

“We are grateful for this funding and look forward to training and supporting those who want to farm in Hawaiʻi,” said Janel Yamamoto, GoFarm Hawaiʻi program director. “In addition to growing thousands of pounds of food for the local market, our graduates are creating great value-added products, developing cooperative ways to market and distribute food, educating our island keiki about the importance of the local food supply and being leaders and active participants in the agricultural community.”

GoFarm Hawaiʻi is a collaborative effort involving ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s , and ����Vlog�ٷ�’s Agribusiness Incubator Program.

Learning from the ground up

GoFarm Hawaiʻi is a comprehensive and practical training program built around the real-world needs of tomorrow’s farmers. It involves several stages of increasing commitment and learning, from an initial AgCurious seminar open to the public, followed by a series of AgXposure workshops, a four-month AgSchool course and a six-month AgPro option that provides deeper learning. At certain locations, graduates are eligible for three years of incubation support while they grow crops on land provided by the program.

All aspects of farmer training, from crop selection and farm equipment instruction to pesticide information and business plan guidance, are covered in a mix of hands-on and classroom learning. Specifics of programs may vary by location.

“The GoFarm program does more than teach Hawaiʻi’s citizens how to grow crops,” said CTAHR Dean Nicholas Comerford. “It strives to develop an informed constituency who are responsible stewards of the land as well as integral members of our local food system. This may be the greatest impact that GoFarm has.”

For more details and to enroll in the program, .

More about the GoFarm Hawaiʻi program

The University of Hawaiʻi beginning farmer-training program is expanding to Hawaiʻi Island, thanks to funding from , Ulupono Initiative and a partnership with . With this addition, GoFarm Hawaiʻi will have five program sites across four islands, making it one of the largest beginning farmer training programs in the nation. The first class at the Big Island location will begin this fall; the date is yet to be determined.

“We are so excited to offer our training to aspiring farmers with GoFarm Hawaii@The Kohala Center,” said director of GoFarm Hawaiʻi Steven Chiang. Chiang is a faculty member of ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa’s , a key collaborator in the GoFarm program.

The program’s other sites include Windward Community College and Pioneer Hi-Bred on Oʻahu, ����Vlog�ٷ� Maui College and Kauaʻi Community College. Training is also offered at College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources ’s .

More on GoFarm Hawaiʻi

GoFarm Hawaiʻi is a comprehensive and practical training program built around the real-world needs of tomorrow’s farmers. It involves several stages of increasing commitment and learning, from an initial AgCurious seminar open to the public, followed by a series of AgXposure workshops, a four-month AgSchool course and a six-month AgPro extension that provides deeper learning. Then graduates are eligible for three years of incubation support while they grow crops on land provided by the program. Specifics of programs may vary by location.

All aspects of farmer training, from crop selection and farm equipment instruction to pesticide information and business plan guidance, are covered in a mix of hands-on and classroom learning. The program’s goal is to develop aspiring farmers who can provide local food and other agricultural products for Hawaiʻi while being compensated fairly for their efforts.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi is currently supported by grants from HDOA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Doc Buyers Fund at Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, and Kamehameha Schools. It is also supported by significant in-kind contributions from collaborators.

Become a part of GoFarm Hawaiʻi

For more details and dates of new classes, go to the GoFarm Hawaiʻi’s program website.

To make a tax-deductible gift to support the GoFarm Hawaiʻi program and its students, please contact Lori Admiral at lori.admiral@uhfoundation.org or call (808) 956-5747.

—By Frederkia Bain

����Vlog�ٷ� News video on GoFarm Hawaiʻi

is offering an exciting opportunity to cultivate food. offers those with an interest in agriculture a combination of knowledge, experience and support designed to assist them in becoming viable food production growers.

Emphasis on practical skills and knowledge

A non-credit program, GoFarm Hawaiʻi@Kauaʻi CC is for those who want to support sustainability on Kauaʻi, grow good food, minimize dependency on food importation and learn what is needed for an island to be more self-sufficient. The program emphasizes the practical skills and knowledge needed to become a successful agricultural entrepreneur.

The curriculum integrates hands-on fundamentals of farm production with business management. Students learn the realities of farming directly from well-seasoned mainstream farmers, agricultural specialists, experienced educators and those involved directly in the marketing and sales of agricultural commodities.

The program consists of two phases. Once a week for a month (September 19–October 10, 2015) tours of farms across the island are conducted. The second phase (October 17–February 6, 2016) is where the real hands-on learning takes place. On Thursday nights, lectures and talk story sessions about science and business elements of farming are also presented by special guest speakers who are directly involved in Hawaiʻi’s agriculture. Saturdays are farm days, where each student applies the knowledge gained to the field on their own 1000 square foot farm plot.

Flourishing success

This past spring GoFarm Hawaiʻi@Kauaʻi CC met with flourishing success—more than 1,200 pounds of produce was grown and harvested. Crops included cabbage, taro, ginger, bok choi, daikon, mustard greens, lettuce, baby greens, green beans, cucumber, pumpkin, squash, tomatoes, okra, kale, beets, swiss chard, cilantro, corn, carrots and even a variety of flowers.

For more information, call Kauaʻi CC’s Office of Continuing Education and Training (OCET) at (808) 245-8318. Stop by OCET to sign up in person or register online at .

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—By Camilla Matsumoto

at is about to start farming new crops for its spring/summer 2015 cohort but growing in the field from the previous cohort was a crop of collard greens and kale. Wanting to help others and not let good food go to waste Eric Hansen, the program’s coordinator, arranged a donation of 29 pounds of produce to Mālama Kauaʻi’s Village Harvest program via the –Kauaʻi Branch.

The Village Harvest Project partners with the and the headquartered at ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa’s .

“I couldn’t find a better way to not waste food and feed people,” said Hansen. “A good farmer does not waste resources. Good farmers are community oriented—after all, farming is about feeding people,” he said.

“This gift of grown food speaks exactly to Kauaʻi CC’s mission of serving the community,” said Helen Cox, Kauaʻi CC chancellor. “And we are thrilled to have GoFarm Hawaiʻi at Kauaʻi CC as it fulfills our goal of promoting farming and farmers who are working to build the Garden Island as a sustainable living community,” she said.

More about GoFarm Hawaiʻi

commercial farmer training programs, held at Kauaʻi CC, and , supports those who are interested in becoming production farmers. The program teaches students essential technical and business fundamentals of successful farming.

With Hawaiʻi importing approximately 85 percent of its food, the program recognizes the need to strengthen food security across the state. Additionally, it is responding to the growing demand for fresh, locally grown food.

For information about GoFarm Hawaiʻi at Kauaʻi CC, read the or contact Eric Hansen by email or call (808) 245-0219.

—By Camilla Matsumoto

Donations to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s (CTAHR) reached a record high in the 2014 fiscal year, exceeding $4 million for the first time in the college’s 107-year history.

“Private giving is an important resource that enhances CTAHR’s ability to address Hawaiʻi’s need for sustainable communities,” said Dean and Director Maria Gallo. “It also expresses our benefactors’ confidence in our ability to deliver on relevant themes: human, plant and animal health; urban and natural ecosystems; and family and consumer vitality.”

A strong response by CTAHR alumni helped fuel a 40 percent increase in the annual giving campaign managed by the . Additional gifts came from CTAHR faculty and staff members, community supporters and non-profit organizations. Donations ranged from small, individual contributions to specific programs to a major anonymous gift supporting scholarships and special initiatives.

Half of the gifts, nearly $2.1 million, were designated for academic support and enrichment, including gifts from private foundations and businesses. Another 25 percent of gift dollars, more than $1 million, was designated for student opportunity and access, much of it in endowed funds that will support scholarships and fellowships in perpetuity. The remainder included support for research, extension and other college activities, including the ����Vlog�ٷ� , bioenergy research, and the , which trains people interested in becoming food producers.

“CTAHR’s six academic departments have developed strong, productive partnerships with their constituencies, and private giving reflects that across the college,” said Leslie Lewis, CTAHR development officer. “Dr. Gallo is a tireless advocate for the college. She encourages the use of innovative funding strategies such as online crowd sourcing and, most importantly, meets nearly weekly with community groups and prospective donors to explain the people, place and promise of CTAHR.”

The strong year puts CTAHR ahead of pace on a seven-year, $15 million fundraising goal. Fundraising priorities for this year include expanding STEM education for Hawaiʻi’s keiki, pursuing initiatives in safe and sustainable agriculture, broadening efforts in public issues education for agriculture and natural resources, extending the program and promoting community partnerships.

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The beginning farmer training program, a collaboration between the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s , and ����Vlog�ٷ�’s , received more than $250,000 in funding from the Ulupono Fund at the and .

This money will allow GoFarm Hawaiʻi to purchase equipment, access facilities and fund support operations. New GoFarm Hawaiʻi sites at and are also launching this spring, expanding GoFarm Hawaiʻi’s reach and impact on developing new farmers for Hawaiʻi.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi is aligned with the support of increased local food production and Kamehameha School’s 2009 Strategic Agricultural Plan Goal 4: Growing Hawaiian Farmers Initiative.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi is a comprehensive and practical training program built around the real-world needs of tomorrow’s farmers. It involves several stages of increasing commitment and learning, from an initial AgCurious seminar to a series of AgXposure workshops to a nine-month AgSchool course, followed by two years of incubation support for the new farmers while they grow crops on land provided by the program.

All aspects of farmer training from crop selection and farm equipment instruction to pesticide information and business plan guidance are covered. The program’s goal is to develop aspiring farmers who can provide local food and other agricultural products for Hawaiʻi while being compensated fairly for their efforts

The program, which started in 2012, recently graduated its first cohort of students and is halfway to graduating its second cohort. A third cohort kicks off with the AgCurious seminar to be held at Windward Community College on March 3.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi is currently supported by significant in-kind contributions from the collaborators as well as grants from the U.S. Department of Labor and indirectly through a grant to the Agribusiness Incubator Program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture division.

A ����Vlog�ٷ� News video on the GoFarm Hawaiʻi program

Eighty-five percent of all of the food consumed in Hawaiʻi is grown outside of the state.

“Part of the reason why developments go in is, well, nobody really wants to farm,” said local farmer Fred Reppun.

A new program at the is addressing that issue and others, like food security, by growing something extremely vital on this plot of land at Windward Community College—commercial farmers.

It’s called .

The program is just one part of C3T Hawaiʻi, which stands for Community College, Career Training. It is funded by a $24.6 million workforce development grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The ����Vlog�ٷ� community colleges are tasked to collaborate with industry partners to develop employer-driven programs. Program that best prepare individuals with the needed technical skills in three emerging areas of economic growth for our state: health, energy and agriculture, like GoFarm Hawaiʻi.

“The goal is to get the people to actually get their general excise tax license so they can be commercial farmers,” said Reppun, who is a farm coach for the program.

There are 12 students in the first ever class, ranging in age from 21 to 60.

They’re each responsible for a 500 to a 1,000 square foot lot where they are expected to spend at least four hours a week tending to their crops and learning, first-hand, how to farm.

“Today we are putting in carrots, putting in soybeans and just a little more prep here,” said GoFarm Hawaiʻi student Rob Hammond.

“Oh, we are learning how to work a tiller, a hand tiller, which is actually kind of scary,” said fellow student Hiʻilani Shibata. “It’s a piece of machine that can just go.”

They also have to attend science classes and business classes each week.

“Business planning is a really big part of this course,” said Reppun.

“That is actually one of the most awesomest thing; being able to have somebody look at your business plan,” said Shibata.

In the last part of the program, the students will get a quarter acre of land at the ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa Research Center in Waimānalo, to put their newfound skills to the test. The program is free and lasts approximately 18 months.

“It’s designed to sort of get more intense of an experience overtime,” said Reppun. “The idea, in the end, is to try and help them find land that they can start farming on their own.”

“It’s a mentorship program,” said Hammond. “I don’t think it really ends. They give you enough resources and everything to get you going and if you have a question two years down the road, three years down the road, it is lining you up for the future, creating a good network for everybody.”