Recipient Organization
UNIV OF HAWAII
3190 MAILE WAY
HONOLULU,HI 96822
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The GFH program has shown success in developing new farmers for the state and continues to experience high demand (in 2022, the GFH BFTP had 173 individuals apply for 79 available spots). The program prepares participants to establish and operate farm businesses, enabling them to begin farming, expand and improve their current operations, or obtain employment within the agricultural industry while building capital and experience to start a business.Hawaii imports 85-90% of its food, making it highly vulnerable to disruptions in food supply. The state's transition over the last 200 years from a highly diversified indigenous agricultural system to plantation-scale industrial export crops, which have now ceased production, has created an urgent need for revitalization of the agricultural economy. Hawaii has 7,328 farms, but 78% earn less than $25,000 per year. Costs of land, labor, and agricultural inputs are high, and the average farmer age is 60 years old. Hawaii's governor established a goal to double local food production by 2030, which requires a significant expansion of farms and production volumes. In addition, local farmers need support to meet the challenges presented by climate change.The goal of the GoFarm Hawaii (GFH) project is to enhance Hawaii's food system resilience by increasing the number of viable farm businesses in the state and the volume of food production. This project develops new farmers through 1) a certificate-based farmer training program that integrates conceptual and experiential learning, 2) 1-on-1 business consulting and technical support, and 3) ongoing production, business, and networking support. The program components have been developed and customized based on the unique needs of the local beginning farmer population, who typically have limited experience and exposure to agriculture, and want preparation to operate their own farm businesses.Since its inception, GFH has continually updated its curriculum to ensure that it remains relevant, meeting training participants needs and incorporating the components needed to develop sustainable new farmers. Feedback from farmers, graduates, education/industry professionals, and other training programs is regularly used to update the program methodology and content. An extensive survey of beginning farmers and graduates was conducted in September 2022. The 131 respondents provided feedback on current farm needs (top 3 responses were: pest/disease management, marketing/sales, and finding ways to increase efficiency), and training and support needs after the GFH program (responses included a) business support, b) networking/resource connections, and c) additional production topics such as orchard, aquaponics, machine use and maintenance). These survey results and other feedback including program exit surveys and observation of beginning farmer successes and challenges through advising and mentorship have informed the following proposed activities:Enhance Current Training Program Curriculum. The feedback about the GFH program and its value is overwhelmingly positive and the program is unable to meet demand. Consultation with beginning farmers has confirmed the value of the current approach and suggested these improvements: additional informational resources on common agricultural challenges in Hawaii, enhanced support for graduates in their transition to commercial farming, and expanded mentorship and 1:1 support for AgIncubator participants.Support new incubation opportunity at Maui site.Due to limited land space, GFH has not offered incubation to graduates at its Maui location. The GFH AgIncubator phase (described in the Approach Section) provides a low-risk option for starting a business while leveraging program land, resources, and support. Maui training site graduates, staff, and prospective students have been requesting access to the GFH AgIncubator phase for many years. In April 2023, GFH secured a parcel of land that will enable incubation opportunity for future graduates. Site setup is underway and funded through another source. As new graduates start incubation, there is a need to develop the support network for new and beginning farmers on Maui, to increase access to resources and mentorship.Provide education on additional revenue opportunities.Many farmers have asked for education on aquaponics and orchard production, as a way to increase revenues. New courses incorporating production and business lessons will be formalized and offered. Support for land, capital, and program access.For many new farmers, land and capital access are a major business hurdle. Based on the survey results, they are the top obstacles for new farmers. Educational sessions and 1:1 technical assistance will help address this need.Support for market opportunities and increased marketing skills.Another recurring request was education on marketing and market opportunities, specifically on learning how to market on social, new market opportunities, and selling tips. Educational sessions and 1:1 technical assistance will help address this need.Improve farmer support network. Graduates have expressed that the network gained through the program is incredibly valuable. It provides a sense of community, creates opportunity for collaboration and business, provides education and mentoring opportunities, and gives farmers a venue for peer-to-peer discussion, which often results in innovative production and marketing strategies. Workshops and events will help address this need.USDA Program Understanding and Readiness. Many expressed a lack of understanding of USDA programs that can benefit farmers. Workshops held in collaboration with USDA staff and partners will help address this need.Collectively, the program activities will prepare individuals with the education and support needed to sustainably own or lease a farm business operation.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
100%
Goals / Objectives
Goal 1: Increase the number of viable, sustainable commercial beginning farmers in Hawaii.Objective 1a: Reach aspiring farmers statewide through community engagement, outreach, and recruitment efforts: AgCurious sessions will be held virtually with content and speakers tailored to the training location. Attendee information is captured through a registration process. All attendees will be invited to apply to AgXposure through a follow-up email. After the AgCurious phase, each subsequent phase is competitive and acceptance is based on farming intention, commitment level, land access, prior experience in agriculture, peripheral skills, and time available. In advanced phases, work ethic and prior performance are also scored. Alternative educational options and suggestions for future acceptance are provided to all who are declined. During AgXposure (described above), both virtual and in-person sessions are held. In person sessions are at GFH sites and at collaborating farms. Objective 1b: Improve and deliver AgXcel curriculum: AgXcel (described in detail above) curriculum will be improved by including 1) locally adapted climate smart practices in collaboration with NRCS, 2) leadership and networking opportunities, and 3) increased resources including a local supplier list, pest library, and business readings. AgXcel instruction will include a virtual weeknight class and a Saturday field class. GFH staff will coordinate all speakers and activities. Training is held at GFH sites and at collaborating farms.Objective 1c: Support graduates with transition to commercial farming. Provide enhanced 1:1 support and mentorship for AgIncubator participants: Delivered via AgIncubator and the ABT (both described above). GFH will pilot an enhanced mentorship program for newly selected incubators. This support will include dedicated 1:1 assistance to help new farmers develop and follow-through on a business action plan. ABT will schedule regular check-ins with new incubators to ensure progress. Assistance may include business formation, business planning, value-added products, financing, marketing, recordkeeping, land acquisition, and general guidance. Activities will occur in person, virtually, or via electronic communication.Goal 2: Develop support network for new and beginning farmers on Maui. Objective 2: Host networking, on-farm learning, and graduate networking events to build relationships, mentorship, and network with other established farmers on Maui: GFH will organize multiple networking and educational events in collaboration with Maui industry organizations, farmers, and graduates. Events will be held at GFH sites and at collaborating farms or if topic/activity is appropriate, virtually.Goal 3: Improve revenue opportunities for farmers. Objective 3a: Collaborate on GoFish Hawaii curriculum. In collaboration with UH professors, a GoFish Hawaii curriculum will be formalized and piloted based on feedback from a prior workshop series. The course will include panel discussions with industry leaders, basic system design, fish management and water quality, planting and nutrient management, and discussions of market opportunities and return on investment. UH professors will manage the production content, delivery, and the subsequent practicum. GFH will support with recruitment and design and deliver the business curriculum. This will provide additional revenue opportunities or possible cost savings for area farmers. Training will be held at the UH CTAHR Waimanalo Research Station, the same location of a GFH site. A working aquaponics system is in place and available for the project.Objective 3b: Offer orchard education. GFH will develop and pilot a new 10-week AgOrchard course which will be formalized and piloted based on feedback from a prior short course. The course will include lessons on orchard development, management, and marketing. Current staff, Advisory Panel members, and local farmers will contribute towards content improvement. AgOrchard instruction will include a virtual weeknight class and a Saturday field class. GFH staff will coordinate all speakers and activities. Training will be held at collaborating farms to showcase diverse orchard plantings around Oahu.Goal 4: Prepare participants for land and capital access. Objective 4: Host land and capital virtual workshop series. Virtual workshops to educate about accessing land and capital in Hawaii. Events will be open to all beginning farmers (not only GFH BFTP participants). Delivered through collaboration with Feed the Hunger Fund and Oahu ACA; organized by GFH staff. 1:1 follow-up technical assistance will be available to all attendees.Goal 5: Prepare farmers for multiple market opportunities. Objective 5a: Host marketing virtual workshop series. Virtual workshops to improve farmers' social media marketing and educate about market opportunities in Hawaii including food hubs and farmers' markets will be open to all beginning farmers (not only GFH BFTP participants). Delivered through collaboration with Hawaii Good Food Alliance and the Hawaii Food Hub Hui; organized by GFH staff. 1:1 follow-up technical assistance will be available to all attendees.Objective 5b: Professional photo shoots and collateral development. To improve farmers' ability to market themselves, professional on-farm photo shoots will be coordinated by GFH. A simultaneous project to train and support Hawaii's immigrant farmer population gives GFH direct access to this population (with support for interpretation services). Edited photos will be provided to the farmer and 1:1 follow-up technical assistance will be available to each farmer to develop marketing collateral. Photos will occur on farmer sites and follow-up interaction virtually or by phone.Goal 6: Improve farmer support network. Objective 6a: Host events for farmers to learn from each other (3 on improving business operations; 3 alumni networking events). Mentorship workshops and alumni events will be coordinated for continued learning and networking. GFH will coordinate the events. Events will be held at GFH sites and at collaborating farms or if topic/activity is appropriate, virtually.Objective 6b: Host events for local technical assistance providers to gather, network, and plan for increased collaborative work for local farmers. GFH formed and organizes a local AgTraining and Technical Assistance Hui (group). This group of technical assistance (TA) providers across multiple organizations meets bi-monthly to share about identified needs and work being done to support local farmers, and find collaborative opportunities. Will collaborate with Oahu ACA to gather these partners for leadership development, networking, and further collaboration. Event will be held on Oahu, the hub for many service providers, and will be hosted at a local shared co-working space.Objective 6c: Support local Women Farmers Network. Workshops targeted to women farmers will be organized through Oahu RC&D. Support services for women farmers throughout the state will be coordinated by Oahu RC&D.Goal 7: Improve farmer business readiness for USDA programs. Objective 7: Host sessions to share USDA programs. GFH will coordinate virtual workshops to increase new farmer's knowledge and usage of USDA programs will be coordinated with the Farm Service Agency, NRCS, and North Shore EVP.
Project Methods
METHODS:Since its inception, GFH has continually updated its curriculum to ensure that it remains relevant, meeting training participants needs and incorporating the components needed to develop sustainable new farmers. Feedback from farmers, graduates, education/industry professionals, and other training programs is regularly used to update the program methodology and content. An extensive survey of beginning farmers and graduates was conducted in September 2022. The 131 respondents provided feedback on current farm needs (top 3 responses were: pest/disease management, marketing/sales, and finding ways to increase efficiency), and training and support needs after the GFH program (responses included a) business support, b) networking/resource connections, and c) additional production topics such as orchard, aquaponics, machine use and maintenance). These survey results and other feedback including program exit surveys and observation of beginning farmer successes and challenges through advising and mentorship have informed the program activities.EVALUATION:A Logic Model has been developed to ensure that outcomes are measured and relevant to our objectives (Exhibit 4; Page 21). Learning objectives are developed for each BFTP phase. To ensure objectives are met, a rubric assessment will be used. Students must earn a minimum score to receive a certificate; higher scores are required to qualify for the AgIncubator Phase. Minimum scores are based on: coach assessment of field production, crop research presentation and other assignments, produce sales, and business plan and presentation. Pre- and post-class surveys will be collected and evaluated by site coaches and management. The program will collect feedback from stakeholders and gather longitudinal data from graduates. Similar to the Farm and Ranch Business Health Assessment Tool (Davis, Poppy, Sustainable Agriculture Education, (October, 2017)), the AgBusiness Team has developed self-assessment tools and checklists to help evaluate business readiness, gaps in learning, and tasks that need completion.An independent external evaluator, Madden Associates, will conduct a formative and summative evaluation of the project. The formative evaluation will focus on how the goals, objectives, and activities stated in the proposal are being executed. The summative evaluation will focus on the effects of these activities on participants. If issues or concerns are identified, the external evaluator will work with PDs to explore possible solutions and corrective action steps with follow up to ensure completion. The external evaluator will review short- and long-term impacts and provide a written report documenting results of the evaluation.Metrics and feedback collected will be used to 1) evaluate the effectiveness of the project, 2) improve delivery to better serve beneficiaries throughout the project, 3) provide details on project outcomes, 4) identify barriers to achieving outcomes, and 5) assess equity impact beyond the direct participants. A final assessment will be conducted to make recommendations to prepare the program for improvement statewide.