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Newsletter 6 - September 2009


Welcome to a fall season full of sustainable, local food activities, including several events at local schools. Here, Amanda Rieux leads students in a trust-building exercise at Mala'ai: The Culinary Gardens of Waimea Middle School.

 


Contents

Events
Announcements
New Publications
Report -- Mango Festival, North Kohala Food Forum
This month's featured Hawai'i Island organization 
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Web resources
Submissions


Aloha!

This is the September 2009 edition of the the Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network e-mail newsletter. Have fun with local and sustainable food this Autumn Equinox season!

Your submissions for future newsletters are welcome using the form at the bottom of this email. 

Mahalo nui loa,

Craig Elevitch
Pedro Tama
http://agroforestry.net


Events

Wednesday, August 26, 6 - 8:30 pm
Event: Beautiful Edible Landscape Design, with Tom Baldwin of Uluwehi Farm (KOC Summer Series Class #4).
Sponsor/Organizer: Kona Outdoor Circle 
Description: Planting an edible garden can also be beautiful landscaping. Design your garden with multi-purpose plants.
Place: Kona Outdoor Circle, Kuakini Hwy at Jct with Queen Ka'ahumanu Hwy 
Cost: Summer Series (4 Classes, 4 field trips) $125 members (membership $35). Each Class: $30 members, $45 non-members. Scholarships available.
Contact: KOC Office 329-7286.  

Thursday, August 27,  5 - 10 pm
Event: Food, Inc., film and Community Discussion
Sponsor: Honoka'a People's Theater
Description: This is the first Hawai'i Island showing of the acclaimed documentary Food, Inc. (see http://foodincmovie.com). Benefit gathering and networking booths for at least 18 Hamakua and Hawai'i sustainable agriculture organizations. Local food. Music by Sugah Daddy. Film at 5:30 pm, organization presentations afterwards, with discussion sessions including County Councilman Dominic Yagong and other county ag officials.
Place:  Honoka'a People's Theater, Honoka'a, Hamakua.
Cost:  $6, benefit for sustainable agriculture organizations.
Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Phone: 775-0000.
       See  http://www.honokaapeople.com/events.html  

Saturday, August 29, 9 - Noon
Event: Beautiful Edible Landscape Implemented with Tom Baldwin (KOC Summer Series Field Trip #4)
Sponsor/Organizer: Kona Outdoor Circle
Description: Deepen your knowledge by observing the result of thoughtful edible landscape design at Uluwehi Farm and Nursery in North Kohala.
Place: contact KOC
Cost: Summer Series (4 Classes, 4 field trips) $125 members (membership $35). Each Class: $30 members, $45 non-members. Scholarships available.
Contact: KOC Office 329-7286.

Saturday, September 5, 9 am - 2 pm (and 1st Saturday of every month)
Event: La Hanahana Kaiaulu/Community Work Day
Organizer: He Ola Hou O Ke Kumu Niu (nonprofit Hawaiian cultural education group)
Description: We are reopening a fishpond and raising kalo and vegetables as a cultural, educational process. Please join us for the work and fun. All ages are welcome; families please include and supervise young children. Tabis or old sneakers are a good idea for fishpond work. Come prepared for sun, rain, and mud. Please bring a potluck dish with ingredients from your ‘aina.
Place: Lihikai Hawaiian Cultural Learning Center is in Keaukaha. From Kalaniana’ole Ave. turn left on Onekahakaha Beach Road. Turn left again immediately before the yellow cable (don’t pass the county park gate). You’ll be driving on dirt and grass toward an open-sided halau building. Park on the road side of the garden beds, please.
Cost: Free
Contact: Call Keoni or Prana at 935-4328 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Email is not checked every day. 
 
Monday, Labor Day, September 7
Event: Time for Lunch Campaign, Eat-Ins
Sponsor:  Slow Food Hawai'i
Description:  Part of a nationwide campaign of over 250 community pot-luck "Eat-Ins" to support the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act to bring "real food" (fresh local produce) to our childrens' school lunches, and to support school gardens and healthy nutrition education.
Place: Contact Slow Food Hawai'i for participating schools.    
Cost: Free
Contact: Slow Food Hawaii, http://www.slowfoodhawaii.org . E-mail Nan Piianaia,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 885-6085.

Friday, September 11, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Event: Farm Community Potluck and Seed Exchange
Sponsor/Organizer: Hawai'i Farmers Union and Hamakua-North Hilo Agricultural Cooperative
Description: Seed Exchange begins at 5:30 pm; potluck dinner begins at 6:30 pm. Home gardeners, farmers and other community members are most welcome whether you bring seeds, plants or cuttings, or just take some home! E komo mai kakou, kokua kekahi i kekahi, aloha kekahi i kekahi. (Welcome! Help each other, love each other!) Join us in growing community food sovereignty in Hamakua!
Place: Honoka'a's historic ILWU Jack Wayne Hall building (on the Waipi'o, makai end of Mamane Street), Honoka'a
Contact/info:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , http://hawaiifarmersunion.org, or call 331-3002 

Monday, September 14,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Soil Science part 1,  Dr. Johnathan Deenik (Class #1 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuesday, September 15, 9:30-3 pm
Event:  Sustainable Farm Tour,  with fresh lunch
Sponsor:  Kona Outdoor Circle (KOC)
Description:  Sustainability in Holualoa?  Not only possible but existent.  Wai’aha Farm has been developing a sustainable model community on a portion of 100 acres right here in our backyard for the last several years.  We start our visit to the farm with an informative presentation on “Sustainability in Holualoa” by director Mike Zelko.  Then there is a tour of their gardens, a delicious luncheon made from their farm fresh organically grown produce including a variety of meats, cheeses, fruit and vegetables.  After lunch those who wish to see the plant nursery, fertilizer production using rabbits, the chicken tractors, moveable piggeries as well as sheep, goat and cattle grazing areas will be guided on a four wheel drive experience to the upper farm.  Included will be a discussion of their plans to add a certified slaughter house and dairy to the operation.
Place:  Holualoa, North Kona.  Contact KOC for details.
Cost:  $50 members, $65 non-members.  Registration limited to 20. 
Contact:  KOC office, 329-7286 

Friday, September 18, 6 - 8 pm
Event:  Mealani "Taste of the Hawaiian Range" and Agricultural Festival
Description: 5 pm registration, doors open 6 pm. Featuring the bounty of Big Island ranchers, farmers and food producers, coupled with 30 top chefs creating a tantalizing 'grazing' extravaganza -- local grass-fed beef, pork, lamb, and goat, plus fresh island-grown fruits and veggies. Talk-story with ranchers and farmers. Afternoon (1 - 3pm) trade show for food producers, chefs and wholesale buyers. Also 4 - 5 pm "Cooking Grass-fed Beef" class, $10 (space limited).
Place: Hilton Waikoloa Village Grand Ballroom and Garden Lanai. 
Cost: $40 advance at Kamuela Liquor Store, Parker Ranch Store, or Kamuela Cooperative Extension office, Kamamalu Road, Waimea. $80 at the door.
Contact: Susan Miyasaka (981-5159 ext. 258) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Also see www.ctahr.hawaiii.edu/taste .

Saturday, September 19, 7 am - 8 pm 
Event: A Taste of Hawaii: 19th Annual Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference
Sponsor/Organizer: Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG)
Description: Educational conference on growing and marketing tropical fruit. Twelve workshops. Featured speaker Earl Tietig, 2007 Young Nursery Professional of the year.
Place: Waikoloa Hilton Village, Waikoloa
Cost: Members $75 (after Sep 1st $100). Non-members $100 (after Sep 1st $125). Lunch $30, Dinner & Live Auction $75.
Contact: Ken Love 323-2417 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ,or http://www.hawaiitropicalfruitgrowers.org .

Monday, September 21,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Soil Science part 2,  Dr. Johnathan Deenik (Class #2 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts,  below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Friday, September 25, 9 - 11:30 am
Event: Backyard Kalo Farming
Sponsor/Organizer: Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
Description: With garden foreman Manuel Rego. Manuel has cared for the extensive collection of kalo at Amy Greenwell Garden for 24 years. Manuel will be assisted by Sunao Kadooka. Come and learn how to propagate, grow, and prepare kalo in your own backyard. Participants will also be supplied with kalo huli, or propagates, that can be planted for harvest. And, for the lucky attendees, this particular workshop will include 'Maui Lehua' and other miscellaneous varieties.
Place: Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, located in Captain Cook, 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona, Mile Marker 110 mauka side of Mamalahoa Highway
Cost: Free to Bishop Museum members; non-members $15
Contact: Call to register, Tel: 323-3318; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Friday - Sunday, September 25-27, 9 - 5 pm
Event: Hawai'i Island Sheep & Goat Association Educational Seminar 
Sponsor/Organizer: Hawai'i Island Sheep & Goat Assn.
Description: General overview of small ruminant (sheep & goats) production; basics of small ruminant nutrition; forages, pasture and browse utilization; internal parasitism and strategic deworming; health, genetics, reproduction. Includes a farm tour, body condition scoring, aging, foot trimming, and pasture management. 
Place: North Hawai'i Education & Research Center (NHERC), below old Honoka'a Hospital.
Cost: $50 (includes membership) before July 31. $75 after July 31st. 
Contact: Information and payment -- Jan Dean, PO Box 523, Honoka'a, HI 96727. Call 775-0401 (sheep), or Amy Decker 325-2000 (goats). See http://sites.google.com/site/hawaiisheepandgoatassociation/

Tuesday, September 29,   6 - 8 pm
Event:  Beekeeping, by Richard Spiegel (Class #3 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts,  below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saturday, October 3, 9 am - 4:30 pm 
Event: HISGN Student Farmers Market. At the Kohala Country Fair.
Sponsor:  Hawai'i Island School Garden Network, Kohala Center.
Description:  Schools in HISG Network bring student-grown produce, student-made value-added products, and student-started plants for sale.
Place: North Kohala, Hawi, corner of Akoni Pule Highway and Hawi Road, under the banyan trees.
Cost: Free.  Sale of items raises funds for the School Garden Network.
Contact: Donna Mitts, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Tuesday, October 6,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Seedsaving, by Nancy Redfeather (Class #4 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saturday, October 10
Event:  5th Annual Eastside Seed Exchange
Sponsor/Organizer: Know Your Farmer Alliance & LaAkea Gardens
Brief Description:  contact Geoff Rausch, below
Place:  LaAkea Gardens- Hwy 130 past Pahoa, past Leilani Estates, turn mauka on  Ala'Ili (there will be an Event sign at this turn) continue on Ala'ili until you see the event sign on the left.
Cost: Free
Contact:  Geoff Rauch 936-7040 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saturday, October 10,  9 - 12 noon 
Event:  Tropical Fruit and Bamboo, by John Mood, Ninole Orchard (Field Trip #1 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: Ninole Orchard, Ninole, Hamakua (see contact below for directions)
Cost:  Free; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuesday, October 13,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Sustainable Gardening for Hawai'i, by Diana Duff, Kona Outdoor Circle (Class #5 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saturday, October 17,  9 - 11 am 
Event:  Seed Saving & Propogation, by Amanda Rieux, Mala'ai Garden (Field Trip #2 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: Waimea Middle School, Waimea, South Kohala (contact below for directions)
Cost:  Free; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuesday, October 20,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  A Backyard Pastured Poultry Model That Works, by Ben and Deb Discoe (Class #6 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuesday October 27,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Vickie Dunaway & Movie: "Mad City Chickens" (Class #7 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saturday, October 31, 8 am - 2 pm
Event: Pua Plantasia, Annual Plant sale. Theme this Year: Sustainability.
Sponsor/Organizer: Kona Outdoor Circle (KOC)
Description: West Hawai'i's premier plant sale featuring only locally-grown trees, fruit trees, cuttings, shrubs, flowers, vegetable plants of every possible description. Classes this year on sustainability.
Place: Old Airport Pavilion, Kailua-Kona
Cost: Free
Contact: Kona Outdoor Circle, 329-7286; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  ; http://www.konaoutdoorcircle.org .

Saturday, October 31, 9 - 11 am
Event:  Backyard Poultry, by Deb & Ben Discoe (Field Trip #3 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: Ahualoa Egg Farm, Ahualoa, Hamakua (see contact below for directions)
Cost:  Free; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuesday November 3,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Aquaponics systems,  by Tim Mann & Suzanne Friend (Class #8 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuesday, November 10, morning
Event:  Shade-grown coffee for Hawai'i, by Craig Elevitch
Sponsor:  UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension
Description:  This free talk explores the ecological and economic benefits and drawbacks of shade-grown coffee agroforestry systems in North and South Kona. Craig Elevitch will present results from a 12-month USDA-NRCS-sponsored study of twelve shade-grown coffee orchards will be presented. Shade- and open-grown coffee were compared based on environmental conditions (shade levels, tree density, plant species present, etc.), soil organic matter, yield and bean size, and pest and disease incidence.
Place: UH Cooperative Extension Service office, Kainiliu, South Kona
Cost:  Free
Contact:  Virginia Easton-Smith, 322-4892, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuesday November 10,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Vermicomposting, by Dr. Norman Arancon, UH Hilo (Class #9 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Saturday, November 14,  9 - 11 am
Event:  Hands on Vermicomposting, by Terry Mortenson & Steve Velonza  (Field Trip #4 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: Honoka'a Hamakua (see contact below for directions)
Cost:  Free; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Tuesday November 17,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Storing Food in the Landscape, by Craig Elevitch (Class #10 of series) (Free Class)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  Free; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Saturday, November 21, 10 - 11:30 am
Event:  Aquaponic Systems, by Friendly Aquaponics (Field Trip #4 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place:  Friendly Aquaponics, Honoka'a (see contact below for directions)
Cost:  Free; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuesday November 24,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  GMO Crops -- Facts & Fiction, by Paul Achitoff, Earthjustice (Class #11 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Tuesday December 1,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Tropical Fruit Tree Management, by Dr. Francis Zee, USDA/ARS/PBARC (Class #12 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below 
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Saturday, December 5, 9 - 11 am
Event:  Aerobically Activated Compost Tea, by Bobby Grimes & Koh Ming Wei (Field Trip #5 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below
Place:  Pa'auilo mauka, Hamakua (see contact below for directions)
Cost:  Free; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tuesday December 8,  6 - 8 pm
Event:  Propogating Fruit Trees, by Mike Nagao, UH CTAHR (Class #13 of series)
Sponsor/Organizer:  Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation and Hawai'i County Department of Research & Development
Description:  contact Donna Mitts, below 
Place: NHERC, Honoka'a, makai of hospital 
Cost:  $12; $140 for entire 13 classes plus 6 free field trips.
Contact:  Donna Mitts, program manager, 936-2117, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 



Announcements

Training: Advanced study internship in tropical agroforestry and permaculture by the people who bring you this Hawaii Homegrown Food Network newsletter. The internship is a period of practical, supervised, real-life training on an agroforestry and permaculture research and demonstration farm in Holualoa, North Kona. For more information, visit http://www.agroforestry.net/internship/

 

Mala'ai School Garden Needs you! Whether you like working side-by-side with middle schoolers (they're really a hoot), or prefer solitary gardening…or, you are really better at grant writing or recruiting other types of help (sharing seedlings or compost, etc.)…or have a particular skill set (composting, vermiculture, building things, teaching how to husk coconuts or prepare an imu), your help is needed and welcome. If you’re inspired to help for whatever reason (nurturing healthier kids, supporting sustainable ag, love quiet time pulling weeds, etc.) please call Mala'ai Executive Director Matilda Tompson (885-9206) or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . School volunteers do undergo background checks and fingerprinting for the safety of all. Of course, if Waimea is a long drive from where you live, there are more than 30 school gardens around the island – all of which would welcome your help. Email Nancy Redfeather of the Hawai'i island School Garden Network to find the garden nearest you: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Activity: Hawai'i Tea Society Tea Propagation Program
Sponsor: Hawai'i Tea Society Propagation Committee
Description: HTS offers a low-cost local source for high quality Camellia sinensis tea plants for farmers who want to grow a quality sustainable vog-resistant and hardy crop. We have been conducting this program for several years and hope to maintain this as an ongoing program. These plants are all from cuttings from known varieties that have produced very finished teas of the highest quality.
Place: Delivery direct to farmers.
Cost: Contact Eva Lee, Propagation Chair. Reduced rates for members. To join, go to http://www.hawaiiteasociety.com
Contact: Eva Lee, 967-7637, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


New publications

Shade-Grown Coffee for Hawai'i  http://agroforestry.net/caf

Can the income potential of coffee be sustained when the crop is combined with the environmental benefits of a forest? A recent study provides some answers for Hawai‘i coffee farmers. The coffee plant originated in the forests of Africa, where it evolved as an understory tree. Mimicking this native growth habit, some Kona farmers cultivate coffee together with various shade species, such as fruit, native Hawaiian, and timber trees. In a recent research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Hawai‘i County, twelve Kona farms with shade-grown coffee were examined. The study investigated a number of factors, such as how extensively coffee trees can be shaded without reducing productivity, the damage caused by major insect pests and plant diseases, fostering of wildlife habitat, and the amount of carbon sequestered within shade-grown coffee systems. The farms incorporated several different types of shade, including mixed fruit and nut orchards, monkeypod, macadamia nut, ‘ōhi‘a lehua, and koa. The full 22-page study report and online video clips of interviews with farmers can be viewed at http://agroforestry.net/caf.

 

The MONTHLY REVIEW, July–August 2009, Vol 61, Number 3  http://monthlyreview.org/

This issue of  Monthly Review (available free online) has a series of penetrating articles on the global crisis in agriculture and food.  If you want to understand the international context for our current food and agro-industry problems, these articles will give you valuable insight into the big picture.  Some of the article titles and authors are:

  • An Overview of the Food and Agriculture Crisis, by Fred Magdoff and Brian Tokar
  • Food Wars, by Walden Bellow and Mara Baviera
  • The World Food Crisis in Historical Perspective,  by Philip McMichael
  • Free Trade in Agriculture:  A Bad Idea Whose Time is Done, by Sophia Murphy
  • Reducing Energy Inputs in the Agricultural Production System, by David Pimentel
  • Agroecology, Small Farms, and Food Sovereignty, by Miguel A. Altieri
  • Fixing our Global Food System: Food Sovereignty and Redistributive Land Reform, by Peter Rosset 

Reports

First Annual Mango Festival, Keauhou, North Kona, August 1, 2009

by Randyl Rupar 

The 1st Annual Hawai`i Island Mango Festival opened at the Keauhou Farmer’s Market at 10 am with a free and delicious culinary presentation by chef William Trask. The celebration of mango, the “King of Fruits”, continued in the afternoon at the Keauhou Beach Resort's Royal Garden, beginning with an opening pule by Kumu Keala Ching, followed by live Hawaiian music and hula. Mango jams, butters, smoothies, salsas, shave ice, entrees and desserts brought sheer delight to the hungry and curious attendees. The Taste of Konawaena High School booth, for example, featured specially frozen mango and mango cobbler.

 

Raffled prizes included community-donated orchids, essential oils, dinners, art, etc. Informative and practical educational activities about grafting, natural pest control, growing techniques and the nutritional and healing values of the mango were presented. A zero-waste event, the Mango Festival vendors used 100% compostable utensils and were assisted by the Boy Scouts of America to recycle waste in the appropriate bins, provided by the Hawai'i County Zero Waste program.

 

Over 1,000 unique varieties of mangoes have been identified throughout the tropics, and approximately 200 varieties are grown in Hawai'i. This healthful, delicious fruit is appreciated worldwide for its unique flavor and culinary diversity. Raw, cooked, blended, or baked, the mango delights the palate. Besides the Festival’s cultural, culinary, musical, educational, and farming experiences, it demonstrated the uniqueness of Hawaiian agriculture. Research and development of value-added products is necessary to enhance the economic viability of the family farm. Canned, dried, pickled, and frozen mangoes are showing up in the marketplace. The Festival highlighted a range of value-added mango products, encouraging consumers to be bold and try new foods that include mango.

 

Research studying the health-promoting benefits of the mango shows that an extract from the mango kernel is high in antioxidants and polyphenols, known for their prevention of free radical build up in the body. Mangoes also exhibit one of the lowest glycemic indexes of all tropical fruits and can be enjoyed in moderation by those with a blood sugar imbalance.

 

Next year’s Mango Festival promises to offer an even better look at Hawaiian mango products.

 


North Kohala Food Forum, Kapa'au, North Kohala, August 22, 2009

by Andrea Dean

 


Andrea Dean co-facilitates the North Kohala Food Forum, which took place in Kapa'au
on Saturday, August 22, 2009

How does a community move towards producing 50% of its own food? This past Saturday, about 200 North Kohala residents came together at the North Kohala Food Forum in Kapa'au to find out. The North Kohala Food Forum began by surveying about 70 people in the food community in the following categories: food retailers, commercial food growers, commercial and institutional buyers, government-planning-education, and infrastructure managers. The survey results formed the basis for Saturday’s event.

 

In the morning session, the facilitators, Bob Martin of the North Kohala Community Resource Center, Andrea Dean, Green Business Coach, Forrest Arnold of Sustainable Kohala, and Guy Kaulukukui of the Kohala Center, focused on “defining the gap”—the reasons that North Kohala does not supply more of the food the community consumes.

 

Some key survey findings on the commercial production side are:

  • Local commercial food producers grow 80% of the varieties needed.
  • However, local food production volume appears to be relatively low.
  • Only 39% of our 28 commercial food producers make their living producing food.
  • Only half of our food producers are financially successful.
  • 68% of the produced food is sold, 12% is bartered.
  • 70% of local producers are exporting food out of North Kohala

 

On the consumption side of the equation:

  • Local food represents 1% of local retail food sales, and about 8% of local restaurant & caterer sales.

 

Overall, the North Kohala Food Forum survey data points to the conclusion that local food represents only 2-4% of all food consumed in North Kohala, compared with our goal of 50%. As facilitator Bob Martin pointed out, “Houston, we have a problem!”

 

A highlight of the day was the extraordinary local-food-only lunch, organized by Steering Committee member Karen Rosen. Local vegetables, fruit and meat were served in about twenty separate, wildly colorful entrees for participants to choose from.

 

Andrea Dean facilitated the afternoon session which focused on identifying collaborations and potential partnerships. Over a dozen projects and business opportunities emerged from the session. If you live in North Kohala and want to get involved, you can contact the identified point person for the following initiatives:

  • David and Ruth Rotstein from Lone Palm Farm put forth a proposal that they would like to contract with someone in the North Kohala community to grow a crop for them. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Doug & Sarah Lombardo, who have experience in growing, marketing and distributing herbs are looking for partners to lease land, share crop and connect with marketing and distribution opportunities. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Commercial kitchen. Renee has an interest in helping the commercial kitchen movement. Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Land Leasing Agreements and Contracts. A working group formed to explore different forms of land leasing agreements and contracts. Contact: Ed Pollock, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Breadfruit. A working group formed to work with Ric Rocker on expanding the growing and use of breadfruit. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • North Kohala Grown marketing initiative. Having a booth at the Farmer’s Market as well as at the Kohala Country Fair to promote locally grown food. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Local Food for Senior Nutrition program. Pete Hoffmann, Hawai'i County Councilman, would like community members to help own this initiative. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Locally Grown Day at local restaurants. Joan Channon and Tom Baldwin will be spearheading an effort for Bamboo and other local restaurants to feature locally grown foods. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • North Kohala School Gardens. A group volunteered to help Nancy Redfeather with getting school gardens started at the elementary and middle schools. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Peter Beemer attracted a group to work with him on promoting farming as an attractive and viable career for youth to be proud of. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Cooperative. Forrest Arnold is facilitating a discussion around forming a Co-op. Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
  • Shannon Casey believes that the school garden and educational initiatives should be integrated with the co-op effort and will be the liaison between the two groups. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Transition Town Handbook: Tom Baldwin is selling the Transition Town Handbook and there is a book group forming at Dee Chapon’s house. Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

To learn more, view survey results and presentation slides visit: http://www.nkfoodform.com.

The North Kohala Food Forum is a project of the North Kohala Community Resource Center. Funding was provided by: County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development, Ulupono Initiative, Hoea Agricultural Park, Starseed Ranch, and Steering Committee members.

 


This month's featured Hawai'i Island organization

 

Slow Food Hawai'i Convivium

http://www.slowfoodhawaii.org/

Shelby Floyd 351-0723 

 

Slow Food Hawai'i subscribes to the Statement of Principles adopted by Slow Food USA:

 
  • Sustainability
    • recognizing the interdependence of people with one another and with our environment
    • caring for the land and protecting biodiversity for today's communities and future generations
    • promoting pure food that is local, seasonal and organically grown
  • Cultural Diversity
    • recognizing food as a language that expresses cultural diversity
    • preserving the myriad traditions of the table
    • cultivating and reinvigorating a sense of community and place
  • Pleasure and Quality in Everyday Life
    • celebrating the diverse expressions of our earth's bounty
    • appreciating and encouraging creativity, passion and beauty
    • respecting and supporting artisans who grow, produce, market, prepare and serve wholesome food
  • Inclusiveness
  • following democratic principles in a spirit of sharing and service
  • educating members and others about Slow Food's mission
  • dedicating ourselves to local cooperation and global collaboration
    • Authenticity and Integrity
    • insuring our values are embodied by all staff, board members and convivium leaders
    • manifesting these values in all of our events, projects and publications
    • committing ourselves to partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations
  • To these we would add a concern for humane treatment of farm animals, and a policy of supporting food charities from the proceeds of all events.

To join Slow Food USA, visit their web site: www.slowfoodusa.org.

When you sign up, you will be asked which "Convivium" you want to be a part of - select "Hawai‘i Chapter" and you're on board for a variety of wonderful events.

As a member, there are many ways to get involved and be heard. You will have an opportunity to participate in all our programs and attend all local, national and international events.


Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

 
 
North Kohala

    Uluwehi Farm (Hawi) 889-1081

South Kohala 

    Ka`Ohi Nani Farm (Waimea)  885-1950  

Puna

    Polestar Gardens (Pahoa) 430-8009

    Ginger Ridge Farms (Mountain View)  968-7622

    Milk and Honey Farm (Pahoa)   345-4401

    Dragon's Eye CSA (Kapoho)   965-9371

South Kona

    Adaptations (Captain Cook)  324-6600

Ka'u

    West Hawaii Farms (Oceanview)  939-9701


Web resources

Hawai'i organizations

Agroforestry Net http://www.agroforestry.net
Hawai'i Agriculture Notes http://www.ahualoa.net/ag/notes_farming.html
Hawai'i Ag Tourism Assn http://hiagtourism.org
Hawai'i Farmers Union http://www.hawaiifarmersunion.org
Hawai'i Fruit http://www.Hawaiifruit.net
Hawai'i Island School Garden Network http://www.kohalacenter.org/HISGN/about.html
Hawai'i Natural Farmers  http://www.localgarden.us/
Hawai'i Organic Farmers Association http://www.hawaiiorganic.org
Hawai'i SEED http://www.hawaiiseed.org
Hawai'i Tropical Fruit Growers http://www.hawaiitropicalfruitgrowers.org
Know Your Farmer Alliance http://www.knowyourfarmeralliance.com
Kona Coffee Farmers Association http://www.konacoffeefarmers.org
Kona Outdoor Circle http://www.konaoutdoorcircle.org
North Kohala Food Forum http://nkfoodforum.com
Slow Food Hawai'i http://www.slowfoodhawaii.org
Sheep and Goat Producers http://sites.google.com/site/hawaiisheepandgoatassociation
Sustainable Hawaii http://sustainablehawaiiisland.org/
Sustainable Kohala  http://sustainablekohala.ning.com/
Waimea Outdoor Circle http://www.waimeaoutdoorcircle.org

 

Other Island websites

Andrea Dean Eat Local http://www.andreadean.com
Big Island Farmers Markets http://www.hcrs.info/sustainability/agriculture-and-food
Green Hawaii http://www.greenhawaii.com
Hawaii Physical Activity and Nutrition Newsletter http://http://www.healthyhawaii.com
How to Feed Chickens in Hawaii http://www.ahualoa.net/chickens/
La'akea Permaculture Community http://http://permaculture-hawaii.com
Plants Hawaii http://www.plantshawaii.com
South Kona Green Market http://www.skgm.org

University of Hawai’i College of Tropical Agriculture (CTAHR)

Organic - CTAHR http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/organic/
Buy Fresh - Buy Local http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/BFBL.asp
Sustainable - CTAHR http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/index.asp 
Hawaii County --Extension & Research http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ctahr2001/Counties/HawaiiCounty/index.html
Sustainable Animal Production  http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/NewFarmer/Animal.asp
Poultry Grazing System for Egg Production  http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/LM-20.pdf

 

Government agencies

Hawaii County Resource Center http://www.hcrc.info/sustainability/agriculture-and-food

National websites

Biodynamic Farming & Gardening  http://www.biodynamics.com/
Community Alliance with Family Farmers http://caff.org
Biodynamic Certification  http://demeter-usa.org/
Community Food Security Coalition http://www.foodsecurity.org
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund  http://www.farmtoconsumer.org/
Food & Water Watch  http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food
Food Declaration http://fooddeclaration.org
Food Share http://www.foodshare.net
GMO Watch  http://www.gmwatch.org/
GMO shoppers guide  http://www.geaction.org/truefood/shoppersguide/guide_printable.html
GRAIN - small farm community control   http://www.grain.org/about/?org
Growing Power http://www.growingpower.org
National Homegrown Site http://www.homegrown.org
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition  http://sustainableagriculture.net/
Natural Farming http://janonglove.com/janongusa/intro01.html
Organic Consumers Association http://www.organicconsumers.org
Organic Farming Research Foundation  http://ofrf.org/index.html
Radio Stations about Healthy Food  http://www.mnn.com/food/farms-gardens/stories/top-11-green-food-radio-shows#
Young Farmers Network http://www.thegreenhorns.net

Videos

Islands at Risk - Genetic Engineering in Hawai'i  http://farmwars.info/?p=457

www.Hawaiifruit.net has released Hawaii Grown video segments on tips for harvesting, post-harvest care, marketing and producing quality tropical fruit. Find out what the chefs, grocers and wholesalers are looking for. Hard copies will be available soon for Hawaii Tropical Fruit Grower members. For more information contact: Ken Love, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Permaculture - farms for the future  http://www.viddler.com/explore/PermaScience/videos/4/

"Food, Inc." movie trailer http://www.foodincmovie.com/

"Priceless"  movie trailer  http://habitatmedia.org/summit6.html                

 

 

 

 

Submissions

We invite you to submit information about educational events, resources, workshops, festivals, presentations, etc., related to growing, exchanging, selling, preparing, and eating locally grown food that is sustainable or organic. Please send us your submissions using the e-mail forms below. We will compile your submissions and send them to hundreds of Hawai'i Island sustainable food practitioners and supporters.

===== Submission Forms

The newsletter features upcoming events, new publications and web sites, resources and other vital news for the Grow Local/Eat Local Food movement. Our goal is to support and strengthen our Hawai'i Island sustainable and organic local food system: growers (farmers and gardeners), processors, wholesalers and marketers, retailers (stores and restaurants), and you and I -- eaters.

 

It's easy to submit the information you want to reach our Grow Local/Eat Local community:

 

1. First, click Reply to this e-mail.

2. Second, fill out the appropriate form(s): “EVENT,” “RESOURCE” and/or "REPORT" below.

3. Third, click Send.

 

We'll do the rest. Please note: Submissions will be published at the discretion of the editorial staff.

 

EVENT

Date & Time of Event:

Title of Event:

Sponsor/Organizer:

Brief Description:

Place (be specific):

Cost:

Contact (name, e-mail, website, phone):

 

RESOURCE

Web site:

Book:

Video:

Article:

Course:

Other:

 

Contact (name, e-mail, website, phone):

Are you a Grower__? Educator__? Processor__? Wholesaler__? Marketer__? Retailer__? Other___?

 

REPORT

If you have sponsored a recent event, would you like to write a brief news report about it for our newsletter? Yes ______ No _______.

 

If you would prefer us to write the report, may we contact you for a brief interview? Yes ______ No ______ Name, phone, e-mail:

Date and name of event:

 

Thank you for your contribution to the Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network. We envision an economically thriving, sustainable food system for Hawai'i Island that each year reduces our dependence on imported food.

 

*****

This newsletter is a free service of Agroforestry Net, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

Agroforestry Net, Inc.
PO Box 428 
Holualoa, HI  96725  USA
Tel: 808-324-4427
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.agroforestry.org 

 

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