Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
The primary goals of the AETI (Agribusiness, Education, Training and Incubator) project are to enhance the University of Hawaii's educational and workforce development and agribusiness incubation capacities. This project is being implemented with a collaborative effort between the nine UH campuses and their associated Cooperative Extension Services, the Agricultural Incubator Program, local agriculture producers and the business community. The AETI consortium has created an atmosphere in which faculty, specialists and students interact with local farmers and entrepreneurs with the common goals of environmental sustainable and culturally appropriate development. Throughout this project, emphasis is focused on building capacity and ownership among Hawaii's rural agriculture communities, including a large number of Native Hawaiian and other traditionally underserved minority populations. The three unifying themes for this consortium project are: 1) Education and Workforce
Development, 2) Business and Community Economic Development Assistance, and 3) Market and Capacity Building. Consortium wide methods for achieving these objectives includes: a) a collaborative, statewide, multi-island effort, b) transferable education and training at multiple UH campuses, c) a coordinated agribusiness workforce development plan (integrated training and retraining), d) providing community focused business oriented support, and e) leveraging public-private partnerships to advance agribusiness development. Four unifying thematic areas were chosen to maximize the impact and collaborations of the ten consortium members. These thematic areas are a) Biotechnology and bioproducts, b) Sustainable agriculture and ecosystems, c) Nutrition and culinary arts, and d) agribusiness and entrepreneurship. Institutional Abbreviations: Agriculture Incubation Program (AIP), College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), Hawaii Community College (HawCC), Honolulu Community
College (HonCC), Kapiolani Community College (KCC), Kauai Community College (KauaiCC), Leeward Community College (LCC), Maui Commuity College (MCC), University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH)(Current Lead Institution), Windward Community College (WCC).
PRODUCTS: Examples (in alphabetical order) from the 10 partner institutions include the following OUTPUTS. I. AIP -12 outreach events across the state, supported consortium grant administration, and assisted 29 agribusinesses or agriculture related initiatives. II. CTAHR -Strategic plan for transforming K-16 education programs in agriculture and natural resource management in Hawaii; presentations by Student Ambassadors and staff to approximately 1000 high school and college students; a program of study leading to dual certification of Agriculture Education and Science Education was accepted. III. HawCC - The Forest TEAM extended 5 applied courses to West Hawaii campus using a Polycom system with on-line computer links to 36 majors, of which 1/3 were native Hawaiians. Hawaiian Life Styles (HLS) participated in 22 outreach activities for 1784 native Hawaiians. 1177 native Hawaiians enrolled in HLS classes and 67 declared HLS majors. IV. HonCC -Managed a system-wide Marine Option
Certificate Program and expanded the science curricula with BIO 171 & BIO 171L. V. KCC - The Culinary Art's program conducted 13 educational culinary agri-tours for 120 participants featuring visits to local farms. KeyTrain basic skills assessment and online remediation courses were provided to over 100 students who enrolled in the Introduction to Culinary Arts course. VI. KauaiCC -The Entrepreneurship Training program trained 92 candidates, the Successful Farming and Gardening Seminars provided training to over 40 students and the Professional Farmer training program graduated 10 students into the operation of several small commercial farms in the area. VII. LCC -The design of new software for an internet based site that will provide horticultural information on native Hawaiian plants and their use in the landscape has been completed, including web pages that allow growers of native plants in Hawaii to provide business information and plant inventory. A Hawaiian Horticulture course
was developed and taught for 2 semesters. VIII. MCC -Authorization to Plan an Associates in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree for Natural Resources Conservation Management and Enforcement was developed and submitted to the MCC Curriculum Committee and required administrative offices. Five courses were developed for inclusion in the proposed A.A.S. IX. UHH -A Kalo collegiate summer institute for high school students was held and a Hawaiian fishpond database which provides electronic access to literature on traditional aquaculture methods was developed (http://pacrc.uhh.hawaii.edu/traditional/pond.php). 50 producers were linked on the website hosting interactive economic feasibility models of orchids, tea, and anthuriums (HawaiianAgriculturalProducts.com). X. WCC - A Bioprocessing Medicinal Garden Complex consisting of 3 facilities(a bioprocessing facility, a medicinal garden and an qaquaponic system) was developed to support the Plant Biotechnology and the Agriculture Technology
programs. An articulation agreement to facilitate reciprocal student transfer for certificates in Plant Biotechnology from WCC and Ethnobotany from University of Alaska at Kuskokwim was developed.
OUTCOMES: Examples of OUTCOMES and IMPACTS from the 10 partner institutions (in alphabetical order) include: I. AIP -The client Gross Revenues was increased by over 20%, the average client Net Income was increased by over 250%, the average client Acres in Production was increased by over 10%, the average client Employment was decreased by 1%, AIP staff facilitated the introduction of 28 new products into the market by clients, facilitated startups of 4 new agribusinesses, and 4 additional companies are in the planning process. II. CTAHR -Employers considered student interns to be valuable workers whom they would like to hire upon graduation (validated by surveys). More than 500 fifth grade students and teachers improved knowledge about science and careers in agriculture and environmental sciences (validated by surveys). III. HawCC - 9 Forest TEAM students graduated, 3 of which were Hawaiian, with the AS degree and the CA. 4 of the graduates have jobs in their field and 5 are
continuing their college degrees. 15 HLS graduated, 13 with an ASC in HLS and two with an AAS in HLS. Of the 15 graduates, 13 were Hawaiian, about half are currently working in the field, 3 are continuing with four-year degrees, and the rest are completing their AA degrees. IV. HonCC - The Marine Science Education Program has increased student enrollment, retention and success rates with more Hawaiian student participation (23%) in marine education. The new biology courses (BIO 171 and BIO 171L) were articulated with the UH at Manoa, which facilitates continuing student education. 40% of these students were Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders. V. KCC - Customer satisfaction surveys showed a 99% positive rating from the culinary tour participants. VI. KauaiCC - Graduates of the Entrepreneurship Training and Mentoring Program and the Successful Farming and Gardening seminars have reported high levels of satisfaction and success in new start-ups and/or expansions. The Farmer/Gardener Training
program has significantly increased the number of home gardens. VII. LCC -15 of these students are currently enrolled in a Community Food Systems certificate program and have received financial assistance from grant funds for tuition and stipends. These are at risk, underrepresented minority students of Hawaiian background, many who would not otherwise attend college. IX. UHH - 11 ag students in the Horticultural Production and Research course and 15 business students in the Introduction to Sustainable Tourism course learned entrepreneurial skills. 79 online agricultural businesses established web links, an increase of 60% from the prior year, at the HawaiianAgriculturalProducts.com website. X. WCC - The Bioprocessing Medicinal Garden Complex has supported 250 students from botany and agriculture classes to be trained in bioproduct manufacturing, 11 students received ASC in Plant Biotechnology and 6 graduates have become bioprocessing entrepreneurs, 5 graduates are working towards a
BS in the biosciences, 9 students received CC in Agriculture Technology, 2 graduates have become agribusiness entrepreneurs, and 7 graduates have entered the agriculture workforce.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: See the Outcomes Section above for more Dissemination Activities. Examples of TARGET AUDIENCES (as requested in the revised CRIS format) in alphabetical order from the 10 partner institutions include: I.AIP -Startup agribusinesses across the State of Hawaii; Existing agribusinesses across the State of HI; Agriculture-serving organizations across the State of HI; Rural communities; and persons of Native Hawaiian ethnicity. II. CTAHR - Employers, future workforce, government agencies (including supporting agencies, NSF and USDA), students in agriculture and natural resource management, secondary and post-secondary students, student interns and employers, the State Depts of Ag and Ed, and the College of Education. III. HawCC - High school students, local and distance learning college students (especially students of Hawaiian ancestry), interns, and the general public received training and support information from the agriculture related classes, projects and
programs. IV. HonCC - Marine Science Education audiences included 349 undergraduate students (76 Hawaiians); two socially and economically disadvantaged students received financial support through work-study options; a large number of high school students were given tours of the wetlab facility and aquaponics display. Over 120 students who had passed, or were enrolled in, the course pre-requisites were sent postcards announcing the new BIO 171 and BIO 171L courses. V. KCC - The target audiences for the various initiatives include: health-conscious local residents; food enthusiasts; both US and Japanese visitors to the islands interested in an experiential educational tour of local foods and cooking; educators and students interested in local agriculture or nutrition and wellness issues; Hawaiians and other minority groups that may benefit from healthy recipes that appeal to their tastes and culture; and caregivers or persons with special dietary needs. VI. KauaiCC - Students
interested in food production and related service businesses and participants in the farmer/gardener program received classroom and field training. Consulting and technical assistance was provided to farming enterprises, food industry entrepreneurs and the general public. VII. LCC - The primary goal is to support students interested in agriculture, especially those students who are at risk and are underrepresented minority students of Hawaiian ancestry, many who would not otherwise attend college. VIII. MCC - The main focus is on Hawaiians interested in natural resources and conservation especially in rural communities. IX. UHH - The focus is on agriculture and agribusiness students, natural resources career pathway students, and agritourism students; producers of Hawaii agricultural products (e.g. nurseries, flowers, food), and researchers and students who have online access to production research and information via the online database and the HawaiianAgriculturalProducts.com
website. X. WCC - The Plant Biotechnology and the Agriculture Technology programs provide classroom, laboratory and field instruction /training for Native Hawaiian and other minority students and community members.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: The OUTCOMES section above includes information on Future Initiatives. COLLABORATORS and PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS(as requested in the revised CRIS format) from the 10 partner institutions in alphabetical order are listed below. I. AIP - Collaborators include: CTAHR, Oahu Resource Conservation & Development, Farm Services Agency, and KauaiCC. II. CTAHR - Partner organizations included: LCC, Pioneer Hi-bred, Hawaii Agricultural Research Center, Alluvian Nursery, Hawaii State Workforce Development Council, Hawaii State Dept of Ag, Hawaii Dept of Ed, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Future Farmers of America, WCC, UH, Kamehameha Schools, and Syngenta Seed Company. Collaborators included: CTAHR Student Ambassadors, CTAHR faculty, Hawaii high school teachers, AETI consortium members, and the Subcommittee for Agriculture Education. III. HawCC - Collaborators for Forest TEAM included Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, USGS/BRD Pacific Ecosystem Research Center, Hakalau Forest
National Wildlife Refuge, USDA/US Forest Service, Hawaiian Immersion Charter School in Kalapana, Forest Solutions, The Nature Conservancy, and UHH. IV. HonCC - Collaborators included: Aquatic Development Program, Department of Agriculture, State of Hawaii, Marine Option Program (MOP), UH at Manoa, Oceanic Institute, Educational media Center at HonCC, and the Aquatic Development Program, Department of Agriculture, State of HI V. KCC - Partner Organizations include: Nalo Farms, The Honolulu Chinatown Merchants Association, Aloun Farms, Hawaii Farm Bureau, R & C tours, the HMSA foundation, the American Heart Assoc, the Mended Hearts, Inc., National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, Watermark Publishing, Latitude 22, LLC, and Divine Creations, CTAHR), Aging and Long-Term Care Initiative at KCC, Honda International Center at KCC, Catholic Charities of Hawaii, the Healthy Hawaii Initiative, Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition, State of Hawaii, and Light and Local columnist for the Honolulu
Advertiser's Taste section. VI. KauaiCC - Partner organizations include: Community-Based Non-Profits - Alu Like Inc., Kauai Economic Opportunity, Kauai Food Bank, Kauai Planning & Action Alliance, Kauai Economic Development Board, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kauai Chamber of Commerce, Visitor's Bureau. Government Agencies & Individuals - Hawaii Agriculture Development Corp., Kauai Office of Economic Development, Office of the Mayor, Hawaii State Senate, & House of Representatives, State Dept. of Agriculture, Dept Business & Economic Development, US Dept of Ag, Pacific Missile Range Facility, Civil Defense Office, Kauai County Council, Workforce Development Office. Food Sales and Services - Big Save Markets, Hyatt Regency, and several independent restaurants and health food stores. Agriculture and Agriculture Development - Cattlemen's Association, Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l., Kauai Farm Bureau, Kauai Nursery & Landscaping, Various Kauai Growers, Gay and Robinson Plantation, Grove Farm,
Kilohana Plantation, Garden Island Resource Conservation & Development, and Kikiaola Land Company.
Impacts
The OUTCOMES section above includes information on Impacts. COLLABORATORS and PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS (as requested in the revised CRIS format) from the 10 partner institutions in alphabetical order are continued below. VII. LCC - Collaborators include the USDA and the UH Hamilton Library. VIII. MCC - Collaborators include: DLNR; Sustainable Living Institute Maui; Muo Ae Native Hawaiian Student Recruitment and Retention Program; MCC Advocacy Council for Native Hawaiian Students and Programs; All High Schools on Maui; and Maui Hawaiian Agencies and Organizations. IX. UHH -Collaborators include: USDA, Institute of Pacific Island Forestry; HawCC, UHM-CTAHR Extension, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, DOE, Nawahiokalaniopuu School and Waiakea High School, and Hilo Intermediate School Parent Teacher Association. X. WCC - Collaborators/research mentors include: HARC (Hawaii Agriculture Research Center), UHM-Botany Department, UHM-CTAHR, Pfizer Laboratory, New York Botanical
Garden, and the Jodrell Laboratory, Kew Gardens, England. Collaborators from biotech industries include: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, HARC, Diamond Head Plants, H&R Nursery, and Kosaki Orchid Nursery.
Publications
- Ledford, H. Jason. Exploring Coconut Island, Kala, A student publication of the University of Hawaii, Honolulu Community College, Spring 2007, Issue 3.
- White, I, L. Oshima and N.D. Leswara. Antimicrobial activity and micropropagation of Peperomia tetraphylla. Journal of Medicine, Vol 1 (1), 2007.
- White, I., M. Jackson and L. Stark. Antimicrobial properties and analysis of bioactive constituents in Peperomia tetraphylla extracts and fraction. Proceedings of the Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Spices and Other Natural Products (ASOMPS) XII. Padang, Indonesia, November 13 to 18, 2006.
- White, I. Windward CC student interns gain valuable experience in biotechnology research and entrepreneurial competition. EPSCoR Newsletter, Vol. 7, Spring 2006.
- White, I. Orchids: beautiful enough to eat. Malamalama O Koolau, Vol.V, September 2006, p.5.
- White, I. Exploring future career through WCC and ETC programs. Ka Ohana,Vol. 35 (6), March 2007, p.12.
- White, I. Medicinal garden dedication. Ka Ohana, June Vol. 35 (8), May 2007, p.3.
- White, I. Botany club lends support. Ka Ohana, Vol. 35 (8), May 2007, p.3.
- White, I. Gardening for the future Windwards bioprocessing facility encompasses both culture and economy. Malamalama, Vol. 32 (3), September 2007, p.19 to 21.
- White, I. Gardening for the future Windwards bioprocessing facility encompasses both culture and economy. Malamalama O koolau, Vol. VI, September 2007, p.3.
- White, I. UH Campus medicinal garden gets facelift. Windward Community College on-line news, October 2007. http://kaohana.windward.hawaii.edu/story.php?aID=55.
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
The primary goals of the AETI project are to enhance the University's educational and workforce development and agribusiness incubation capacities. This project is being implemented with a collaborative effort between the nine UH campuses and their associated Cooperative Extension Services, the Agricultural Incubator Program, local agriculture producers and the business community. The AETI consortium has created an atmosphere in which faculty, specialists and students interact with local farmers and entrepreneurs with an eye to environmental sustainable and culturally appropriate development. Throughout this project, emphasis is focused on building capacity and ownership among Hawaii's rural agriculture communities, including a large number of Native Hawaiian and other traditionally underserved minority populations. The three unifying themes for this consortium project are: 1) Education and Workforce Development, 2) Business and Community Economic Development
Assistance, and 3) Market and Capacity Building. Consortium wide methods for achieving these objectives includes: a) a collaborative, statewide, multi-island effort, b) transferable education and training at multiple UH campuses, c) a coordinated agribusiness workforce development plan (integrated training and retraining), d) providing community focused business oriented support, and e) leveraging public-private partnerships to advance agribusiness development.
PRODUCTS: Examples of sharing recruitment, student retention, and curriculum articulation between campuses include: a) the support of K-12 education through the 'Career Pathways Program', teacher retraining, and sponsorship of field days, b) consortium-wide recruitment, internship, and curriculum efforts (using web-cam intercampus meetings for cooperative projects and classes), and c) the development of core courses across multiple Consortium programs. Examples of projects and significant upgrades to the curriculum of the partner campuses (in alphabetical order) that have provided enhanced student learning, workforce development and agribusiness incubation capacities include: AIP - Developed marketing plans/materials for 23 agribusinesses; assisted 15 new agriculture entrepreneurs with business/profitability strategies. CTAHR - USDA funds from this and related programs provided 33 scholarships to Native Hawaiian students to enroll in CTAHR academic programs; established statewide
internship programs with agriculture related companies and related website being developed. HawCC - 18 students received tuition assistance for Hawaiian Lifestyles program; HonCC - 15 students received tuition waivers and 7 students received internships; library acquired 39 textbooks, 27 audio-visual materials, and a journal related to this program. KCC - Purchased site licenses for online Keytrain remedial training assessment software used for all incoming students. KauaiCC - Developed new module for Entrepreneurship Program (20 students currently enrolled) titled 'Creative Financing'. LCC - 12 student interns supported with half native Hawaiian or American Indian ancestry. MCC - provided internships with local agriculture related businesses. UHH - Developed DVD to recruit state high school students to be distributed by HI State Department of Education; Upgraded curriculum with research materials and equipment, e.g. Ag 394 course for 30 students, including 7 Native Hawaiians, which
focuses on critical thinking and using experiential learning to solve context based problems. WCC - Supported several dozen Bio-Resources and Technology (BRT) students in advanced summer training with UH and Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.
OUTCOMES: Some examples of project outcomes from the various campuses include: AIP - Served 30 agribusinesses and related organizations, producing 10 new agribusinesses and improving client revenue by an average of 121% and headcount by an average of 34%. HawCC - 10 students completed Forest TEAM internships, 12 courses sent to KauaiCC via PolyCom. HonCC - Recent recruitment efforts resulted in 20 more students joining the Marine Option Program during the past year with 40% from native Hawaiian ancestry. KauaiCC - student-based and student-managed 'ag coop' was established; student participation in the reactivation of the papaya industry and reopening the fruit disinfestations facility in preparation for papaya export; 'Successful Farming Seminar' program was developed by the students in which successful local farmers discuss effective practices and marketing procedures with the students. KCC - Increased support for Holomua remedial math and English skills for Culinary Arts students;
created two additional culinary tour programs; developed a center for applied technology in workforce development to provide education and training on the application of technology in hospitality businesses. LCC - provided software, server and personnel to support web-based database (in partnership with KCC) on island fresh produce and native plants; supported community food safety program for local high schools. MCC - Established a not-for-profit community kitchen for Food Product Research and Development; provided on the job training and education for 14 Culinary Academy students (80% Native Hawaiian or minorities); retailed 8 value-added food products which produced a 333% increase in sales. UHH - Developed educational website and database for farmers and buyers http://hawaiianagriculturalproducts.com/; multiple new agriculture courses and workshops presented. WCC - Developed medicinal plant collection in support of the Plant Biotechnology Program and Agriculture Program (60% of
students are Native Hawaiian or minority students); BRT courses articulated with UHM/CTAHR and UHH.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Information on specific project activities and outcomes are shared widely within the college and community. Consortium project processes, objectives and outcomes are shared between campus representatives, campus administration and project partners in the evaluation and reporting phases, in addition to USDA CSREES program personnel. Specific outreach efforts have been taken to ensure notice of and interest in courses, programs, seminars, technical workshops and farmer's market-based activities. A collaborative consortium web site speeds the flow of information to all levels of the project partnership and encourages peer collaboration between partners in Hawaii and Alaska. Specific examples of presentations include the following: AIP - Support collaboration website for consortium and facilitates coordination of consortium activities related to grant administration. CTAHR - Held first annual Big Island Agricultural and Environmental Awareness Day with over 350
5th graders attending. HawCC - Distributed 5000 Forest TEAM brochures at all high schools, career fairs and conferences; visited 3 classes each at 15 high schools and hosted 15 high school class visits to the Forest TEAM program; Distributed 300 informational brochures per year on Kauai, Molokai, and Maui during AAS orientation sessions; outreach activities to 5 high schools with 350 students per year. HonCC - Marine Option Program recruitment information published in student newspaper; numerous presentations and tours of marine science facilities to high school groups and counselors, including program for 450 students from fourteen high schools. KCC - Created 2 new culinary tour programs marketed to travel wholesalers and retail tourists; distributed culinary tourism brochures to all travel desks in Waikiki; printed and distributed 20,000 rack cards promoting the Hawaii Farm Bureaus Farmers Market; developed briefing DVD on culinary tours for van drivers. KauaiCC - Kauai Food
Industry Forum serves as a partnership between the College and over 100 key ag-related community leaders; 'Successful Farming Seminar' featuring local farmers to share their success stories; island-wide recruitment of local farmers for farmers market and food coop projects. LCC - Native plant horticulturist visited 44 botanical gardens and conservation sites, hosted multiple visits from growers, high school students and community groups, and offered workshops on native plants; developed large online database for farmers of fresh produce to promote both island fresh produce and native plants. MCC - Retailed 8 value added food products to 20 retailers around the state. WCC - Received a joint USDA-SPEC grant to extend and market bioproducts in Hawaii and nationwide. UHH - Developed DVD to recruit state high school students distributed by HI State Department of Education; student developed projects include: airport exhibit of rare and endangered Hawaiian birds; tour package developed for
agricultural heritage corridor; exhibition of native Hawaiian cultural mountain-to-the-sea life cycle; developed website http://hawaiianagriculturalproducts.com/.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: The AETI program will continue to increase the quality of agriculture-related programs offered at each of the UH campuses and will focus on articulated curriculum development that is geared toward agribusiness entrepreneurship. For example, an additional 20 courses in agriculture are being articulated and the process of system-wide articulation of the agriculture program should be completed by Fall 2007. Specific attention to agriculture economics and transforming the food and visitor industries will enable the consortium partners to provide training programs that facilitate the development of a qualified workforce and a critical mass of entrepreneurs who will drive agribusiness development (and use of agricultural lands) throughout Hawaii. To achieve these goals the consortium members have chosen to focus on the following four thematic areas 1) biotechnology and bioproducts, 2) sustainable agriculture and ecosystems, 3) nutrition and culinary arts, and 4)
agribusiness and entrepreneurship. The value of this project continues to grow as it is now getting real traction and the impacts demonstrated above will be even greater in the coming years. This timely project addresses the need for new farmers and agricultural education which is leveraged by the State's current mandate for ''Important Agricultural Lands'' that is in the process of being implemented. Finally, this project is an excellent example of cooperation within the entire UH system to achieve greater impact than could be accomplished by each institution acting alone.
Impacts
All of Hawaii's communities are being directly impacted by this project. This program is having a very positive impact on student learning and the number of students being exposed to educational and career options associated with agriculture (e.g., farming niche crops, value added product development, ornamental and native plants, health products and environmental restoration, etc.) has increased significantly. This project continues to be successful in enhancing education and training opportunities for students and residents from rural agricultural communities. Coupling these enhanced programs with high quality agribusiness and market development training is empowering Hawaii residents to break the vicious cycle of resource and employment insecurity. As a significant, cohesive effort to grow diversified agriculture in Hawaii, the project also addresses the broader issues of food security, diversifying the economic base, and preserving agricultural land as part of the
Hawaiian lifestyle. Institutional Abbreviations: University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) - Current Lead Institution Agriculture Incubation Program (AIP) College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Hawaii Community College (HawCC) Honolulu Community College (HonCC) Kapiolani Community College (KCC) Kauai Community College (KauaiCC) Leeward Community College (LCC) Maui Commuity College (MCC) Windward Community College (WCC)
Publications
- Grass, Julie, University of Hawaii, Marine Option Program, 'Grant provides waves of opportunity at HCC', Seawords, Volume XX, Number 6, Summer 2006.
- Shehata, S, Tim O'Connell and Linda Cox. 'Assessing the feasibility of Establishing E-Commerce for Agri. Marketing in Hawaii.' 2004 Cooperative Extension Service, CTAHR, UH, Jan 2006.
- White, Ingelia; Lora Oshima, and D. Leswara, 'Antimicrobial activity and micropropagation of Peperomia tetraphylla', Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences Vol. 1 (1), 2006, http://scientificjournals.org/articles/1017.htm.
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
The purpose of the University of Hawaii Statewide Agriculture Education, Training and Agribusiness Incubator Development Project is to enhance the University's strong public post-secondary educational capacities by collaborating with state and private organizations to serve Hawaii communities with 1) high-value instruction and training in agriculture; 2) high-quality product research, production, and delivery mechanisms; and 3) sophisticated technical, business and brand marketing support to create and sustain Hawaii's world-class commercial agriculture capabilities. This is a nine campus consortium effort that represents substantial partnership and coordination between the two University of Hawaii baccalaureate campuses and seven two year community colleges. It remains the aggregate responsibility of the consortium members and its support staff to ensure overall program success and to stimulate the local agricultural economy in ways that are both economical and
environmentally sustaining. Emphasis is focused on building capacity and ownership among Hawaii's many rural agriculture communities, including large numbers of native Hawaiian and other underserved minority populations. The project seeks to identify, develop and support existing community-based agriculture initiatives and businesses that require immediate assistance by infusing those entities with education and technical training and professional-level business and marketing support required to become profitable and self-sustaining. The primary objective of the current year of the University of Hawaii Agribusiness Education, Training and Incubator Project is to continue to enhance the University's existing educational, workforce development and agribusiness incubation capacities. Specifically, the project seeks to provide a mechanism for collaboration between UH campuses, the UH Cooperative Extension service and various public and private organizations to serve Hawaii communities
through 1) education and workforce development in agriculture and biotechnology; 2) business and community economic development; and 3) market and capacity building. These efforts will be coordinated to sustain improvements to Hawaii's world class agriculture, visitor, culinary and export industries.
PRODUCTS: Examples of Products from the multiple campuses and projects include the following: A new high tech, web interactive promotional DVD contains information on Hawaii Agriculture and Education, University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) CAFNRMs (College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management) educational mission and student development, CAFNRMs faculty expertise and research, and interviews of successful alumni. The USDA grant also provided internship opportunities for students to receive training by working with a number of outside agencies, such as the Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, the Oceanic Institute and the State Anuenue Fisheries. The Hawaii Community College (HCC) Forest TEAM internship program supported a total of 29 students during the past four years. A website (http://framf.hawaii.edu/) was developed by Kapiolani Community College (KCC) that features locally grown specialty products and information that an end-user might want to know
about these products. KCC developed and manufactured two value added food products, while hiring four casual assistants to lead efforts in manufacturing, promotion, sales, administration, and food science and technology. Over $10,000 has been raised from the sale of the value added products, which goes back into the program. Maui Community College (MCC) now has distribution of food products in 12 retail outlets on Maui and five outlets on Oahu. Current projected 2005 annual sales has increased fourfold since 2004 to over $60,000.
OUTCOMES: Some examples of project outcomes from the various campuses include: At the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Student Ambassadors and CTAHR faculty interacted with high school students, statewide, in the classroom and in real time via the internet in a four-phase Student Ambassador internet (STAMPNet) program. Student Ambassadors made in-class presentations to share college academic, social and financial requirements and opportunities. Faculty shared research experiences and laboratory facilities with high school students through electronic field trips and discussed career opportunities in the life sciences. This served as a recruitment tool for all high school students in the State of Hawaii. The Student Ambassadors Program reached approximately 4,000 high school and college students statewide between Spring 2002 and Summer 2004. A summer experiential learning program was offered specifically to Native Hawaiian students completing their junior and
senior years of high school to expose them to science in food, agriculture, and natural resource development, and prepare them to enroll into CTAHR. Twenty-seven native Hawaiian high school students participated in the 2002 and 2003 summer FAST Track programs. Five native Hawaiian students entering CTAHR received scholarships in Fall 2002 and eight new native Hawaiian students received scholarships in Fall 2003. Four received scholarships in Fall 2004. In Fall 2004, CTAHR sponsored a retreat for 22 students, having a large percentage of Native Hawaiians and other underrepresented groups, to hone leadership and teamwork skills and to expose students to agri-industries in Hawaii. Fourteen new HCC courses were developed and the Board of Regents approved both the Certificate of Achievement (CA) and the Applied Science (AS) degree for the Forest TEAM (Tropical Forest Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management) program in April, 2002 and approved permanent status for the program in November
2005. Beginning in the Fall of 2004, the Forest TEAM extended 12 applied courses to Kauai CC using a Polycom system in the classrooms and on-line computer links. Since the establishment of ASC and AS degree programs in Hawaiian Lifestyles at HCC, 54 students have received ASCs and 4 students have received AS degrees. A total of 6 students graduated from the Marine Option Program at Honolulu Community College (HonCC) since it began in 2001 and all of the graduates received support from USDA grants. The new Leeward Community College (LCC) course, Hawaiian Horticulture and Nutrition, was completed by 56 students, 42% of which were of Hawaiian descent. The Windward Community College (WCC) Academic Subject Certificate (ASC)in Bio-Resources and technology was developed and offered since 2003. Twenty students have graduated from the Plant Biotechnology Program (PBP), 10 students in the Bio-Resource Development and Management Program (BRDM) completed the course curriculum and are now pursuing
baccalaureate degrees at University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM). A total of 5,184 students enrolled in PB and BRDM programs from Fall 2001 to Summer 2005.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Information on specific project activities and outcomes are shared widely within the college and community. Consortium project processes, objectives and outcomes are shared between campus representatives, campus administration and project partners in the evaluation and reporting phases, in addition to USDA CSREES program personnel. Specific outreach efforts have been taken to ensure notice of and interest in courses, programs, seminars, technical workshops and farmers market-based activities. A collaborative consortium web site speeds the flow of information to all levels of the project partnership and encourages peer collaboration between partners in Hawaii and Alaska. Specific examples of presentations include the following: WCC made three Power Point presentations and four poster presentations at conferences/meetings associated with the Plant Biotechnology Program between 2001 and 2004. Dr. White, et al also presented three posters related to the Plant
Biotechnololgy and Entrepreneurship program in 2005. Dr. Krupps presented two posters on Bio-Resource Development and Management Program and the Pacific Center for the Environmental Studies (PaCES) in 2003. HCC presented eight posters on the Forest TEAM and Hawaiian Lifestyles programs between 2001 and 2005. Informational UHH, CAFNRM posters were developed and distributed to high school agriculture programs, local malls, and businesses to increase the visual impact of the college. Presentations about this program were also made to seventeen state high schools. Over 2,000 brochures were sent to every public and private school state-wide for the past four years advertising the HCC Forest TEAM program and over 2,500 students per year received similar information during classroom visits. The MCC Food Science, Culinology, Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship project has made news and been reported in the following publications: Hawaii Business Magazine, Hana Hou/The Magazine of Hawaiian
Airlines, Nations Restaurant News, Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu Weekly, and Malamalama/University of Hawaii System Magazine.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: The future initiative of the project will focus on the collaborative efforts involving all consortium members to create economically sound agribusinesses. In order to support these businesses the consortium shall serve to create a well educated and trained workforce. The success of the collaboration serves as a model for the University of Hawaii system and will also lead to stronger partnerships with Alaskan and Pacific land-grant institutions.
Impacts
Examples of various project impacts include: Recruiting - In 2000-2001, the HCC freshmen to sophomore retention rate was 54.1% and in 2001-2002 there was an increase to 62.1%. With the help of student support programs such as the Agriculture Development Program, there has been an increase in student retention rates. The students who were admitted with the ADP Admissions Policy in Fall 2003 and Spring 2004 have a 72.7% retention rate and have been the most successful in the program by following all of the programs advising and tutoring services. Biotechnology - Of fourteen students who have received the ASC in BRT (Plant Biotechnology program), six have been working at the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC) and are currently pursuing baccalaureate degrees in various biotechnology fields at the UHM. Five students have become entrepreneurs in tissue culture and agriculture production. Culinary Science - Two culinary tour programs were developed by KCC which are
being marketed with rack cards to wholesale travel agents and travel desks. These tours provide the local agri/aquaculture industry with a new revenue source, as well as generating increased awareness among residents who may wish to participate in an agribusiness endeavor. Both tutorial assistance and supplemental instruction to Native Hawaiian and other under-represented minorities was provided through the KCC Holomua program which has resulted in an increase in graduation rate of 17% in the Culinary Arts Department.
Publications
- Hollingsworth, L.L., Lewis, T.D., Krupp, D.A. and Leong, J.C. 2005. Early onset and expression of fluorescent proteins in the larvae of the mushroom coral, Fungia scutaria. Proceedings of the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium, Okinawa, Japan, June 28 - July 2, 2004. (In Press)
- Krupp, D.A., Hollingsworth, L.L. and Peterka, J. 2005. Elevated temperature sensitivity of fertilization and early development in the mushroom coral, Fungia scutaria. Proceedings of the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium, Okinawa, Japan, June 28 - July 2, 2004. (In Press)
- White, I., Oshima, L. and Leswara, N. 2005. Antimicrobial Property, Edibility and Micropropagation of Peperomia tetraphylla. Hawaii Orchid Journal. (In press)
- White, I. and Akatsuka, N. 2005. The Effect of Psilotum nudum in Prolonging the Vase Life of Dendrobium Jaq-Hawaii Uniwai Pearl. Proceedings for the 17th World Orchid Conference. Shah Alam, Malaysia. April 24 - May 2, 2002.
- White, I. 2005. Some Notes on Orchids in Laos. Hawaii Orchid Journal. Vol. 34(1).
- White, I. and Oshima, L. 2004. Neofinetias. Hawaii Orchid Journal. Vol 33(2).
- White, I. 2002. Some Notes on Orchids in Cambodia. Malayan Orchid Rev. Vol. 36.
- White, I. 2001. Some Notes on Orchids in Myanmar. Malayan Orchid Rev. Vol. 35:61-62.
|