Recipient Organization
UNIV OF HAWAII
3190 MAILE WAY
HONOLULU,HI 96822
Performing Department
Agribusiness Incubator Program
Non Technical Summary
Hawaii has a unique set of needs for new farmers and farmer training. Extreme isolation, lack of Winter kill, high input and land costs, and counties separated by the ocean make viable farming a challenge for any farmer here. The dominance of plantation agriculture, now largelygone, has resulted in concentrated land ownership and a lack of family farms and the knowledge and supporting systems that normally accompany them. Thus, there exists a great need to create new farmers for Hawaii with a comprehensive approach that capitalizes on the current interest in farming and develops them from the ground up-- with fundamental science-based knowledge, hands-on experience, and marketing and business management skills for the real world. One that serves every county of Hawaii and innovatively fosters the confidence necessary for those trained to commit to becoming entrepreneurial commercial farmers. One that supports their transition into independent farmers with resources, networks, and business and production consulting. GoFarm Hawaii is doing it, having grown to five locations in all four counties and, most importantly, efficiently converting over 20% of participants (most of whom began with no farming experiences or connections) into real farmers. GoFarm Hawaii seeks USDA support to continue our success, improve the impact of some sites by adding missing advanced phases, and strengthen beginning farmer training Statewide by creating and maintaining a Statewide network of programs that focus on beginning farmer training.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The long-term goals of GFH are described in its Mission: To enhance Hawaii's food security and economy by increasing the number of local agricultural producers by offering those with an interest in agriculture a combination of knowledge, experience, and support designed to assist them in becoming viable production growers, and accomplish this in a manner that encourages sustainability. Toward this end, our Objectives and anticipated Outputs and Outcomes across our five locations are:- Primary Objective: More viable, sustainable farmers for Hawaii- Outputs: All phases of GFH program (see Figure 2 above)- Outcomes: 45 participants start commercial production at their own or others' farm businesses.
Project Methods
Description of activities (Objective followed by related activities):More new farmers for Hawaiio Via annual execution of a phased program model (see Figure 2) at each site, designed to capitalize upon the widespread interest in farming while focusing resources on the most committed and likely to succeed. Its phases are designed to cover the continuum of a prospective farmer's development from interest to commercial farming. The program demands significant time for independent study and plot maintenance, but required meeting times are held on weeknights and weekends to accommodate working adults.Aspiring farmers across the State are attracted to and engaged with our programo Via AgCurious events, a widely-promoted 3-hour seminar to attract broad group of those interested in farming. Farmers discuss the lifestyle, challenges, and opportunities of farming in Hawaii, staff describe the GFH program, and current and former students discuss their experiences and answer questions. Attendees are invited to apply for the next phase, AgXposure.o Via AgXposure days, 4 all-day working excursions on weekends to expose participants to the breadth and demands of farming, designed to allow for self selection out of the program as well as help program leaders identify prospects for the next level, AgSchool. Participants are invited to apply for AgSchool.High-potential aspiring farmers across the State have the fundamental knowledge and practice required to produce crops for marketo Via AgSchool, 4 months of science-based curriculum and field-based practicum, with participants responsible for full crop cycles on their own plots. Weekly assigned readings/videos and quizzes. Weeknight class (2-3 hours) featuring guest speakers with topical expertise, or further instruction anddiscussion ("flipped classroom" style7). Weekly field instruction and practice (6-7 hours) including demonstrations, feedback, and discussion of identified field issues.o Topics include: Soils, plant physiology, nutrition, diseases, weeds, pests, irrigation, pesticides, farm machinery, post-harvest handling, grading, food safety, crop planning, market opportunities, and record-keeping.o A detailed crop plan and field journal are part of the rubric required for graduation. Graduates may apply for AgPro.High-potential beginning farmers across the State have advanced knowledge and practice of commercial crop production and are prepared to start and operate a farm businesso Via AgPro, 6 months of science-based curriculum and field-based practicum. Similar to AgSchool but with more advanced coverage of aforementioned topics with particular focus on commercial scale practices. Plot sizes increase to 1/8 acre, marketing of crops is done individually, and minimum sales levels are required to impose the pressure of growing for market. Participants report an average of 20+ hours on-farm outside of scheduled field times, and many hours of reading and planning per week. 7 Things You Should Know About Flipped Classrooms, https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli7081.pdf GoFarm Hawaii: A Statewide beginning farmer initiative Page 6 of 17o Additional topics include: Larger scale farm machinery, business planning, marketing, cost of production, cash flow projection, employee management, regulations, financing, business startup, and land acquisition. Special sessions are held with commercial buyers from various channels and farmer-serving organizations (FSA, NRCS, farm bureau, extension agents, etc.).o A portfolio (field records, issues and challenges), plot showcase, business plan, and sales revenues are part of the rubric required for graduation. Graduates may apply for AgIncubator.Beginning famers have support transitioning to independent commercial farming.o Via AgIncubator, up to three years of access to land (up to 1 acre), shared equipment, and facilities. Participants are charged a nominal fee, must form businesses, and are responsible for the production, marketing, and expenses and profits of crops of their choosing. Designed to provide further productionand business experience and to establish a record of business success to facilitate pursuit of land and financing. GFH staff are available for ad-hoc mentoring and perform monthly plot walkthroughs. Monthly meetings are held for continued learning on topics of the incubatees choosing. To ensureparticipants are progressing toward independent commercial farming, incubatees must meet escalating production requirements to remain in AgIncubator and are evaluated every six months.o Via AgBusiness, continual and guaranteed access provided to participants who have completed AgSchool. Individualized business consulting from the consultants of the UH Agribusiness Incubator Program. Assistance includes business formation, business planning, value-added products, financing, marketing, land acquisition, and general guidance.Aspiring farmers have access to more phases of GFH.o Currently, two of the five program sites offer AgIncubator and three offer AgPro. Although there is tremendous value in offering phases through AgSchool, we have found that graduation from the AgPro phase significantly increases the likelihood that a student will enter farming, and another significant increase if AgIncubator is available to them. Therefore, we will utilize funds to facilitate the addition of AgPro and AgIncubator at a program site that currently lacks these phases.o We anticipate leveraging BFRDP funds to raise other funds (as we have done successfully in the past) to bring these phases to all program sites, although this is not modeled in the budget.More effective and efficient Beginning Farmer Development in Hawaii.o Capitalize on the interest to join a network expressed by organizations attending the Hawaii Beginning Farmer Trainers conference GFH hosted in 2016 by establishing a web-based platform for communication and sharing and inviting participation on that platform. Moderate the group and initiatediscussions and upload of materials for sharing. Organize collaborative development of a position paper and selection of stakeholders to disseminate/present to.