Recipient Organization
UNIV OF HAWAII
3190 MAILE WAY
HONOLULU,HI 96822
Performing Department
STUDENT AND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Non Technical Summary
The goal of the GoFarm Hawaii (GFH) project is to reduce Hawaii's dependence on imported food and increase the state's food sustainability. This will be accomplished by developing and supporting farmers and individuals who want to establish businesses in the agricultural industry. This project will develop new farmers through 1) a certificate-based farmer training program that integrates formal classroom and experiential lessons, 2) 1-on-1 business consulting and technical support, and 3) ongoing production, business, and networking support. Incorporating these components will increase the likelihood of success for the state's new and beginning farmers.Located 2,200 miles from the continental U.S., Hawaii imports about 85-90% of its food, making it particularly vulnerable to disruptions in food supply. The state struggles with an aging farmer population (avg. 60 years old), lack of farm labor, and declining numbers of sustainable farmers (the net income for farms is down 25% since the last USDA-NASS Census). To address these critical issues, Hawaii's Governor established a goal to double local food production by 2030.Of the 7,328 farms in Hawaii, 78% earn less than $25,000 per year. With high costs for land, labor, and inputs, for the majority of farmers, this level of sales is insufficient to significantly impact household income. Furthermore, 71% of the principal farm operators are at least 55 years old.In order to increase food production and prepare the next generation of farmers, support is needed to develop financially viable farming operations. New farmers focused on commercial production must be developed and existing farms must increase yield and profitability. GFH will develop and support commercial farmers that are prepared to meet production and business challenges and can immediately contribute to the state's food sustainability goals.The GFH beginning farmer training program (BFTP) currently has five training site locations across four of the eight major Hawaiian Islands. Of the post-high school agriculture training programs available, GFH is the only one with statewide reach and the only one that incorporates production, business, incubation, networking, and ongoing support after graduation. In addition, GFH is the only agriculture-focused business education and consulting program in the state. Between 2017 and 2019, 79% of GFH BFTP participants have been from socially disadvantaged groups (ethnic minorities or women).The GFH program has shown success in developing new farmers for the state and continues to show demand (in 2019, the GFH BFTP had 130 individuals apply for 50 available spots). The program prepares students for careers in agriculture, allowing many to start independent businesses, improve business practices, or obtain employment within the agricultural industry while building capital and experience to start a business.Since GFH's previous BFRDP grant, expanded phases have been added to two site locations. The curriculum has been strengthened through the addition of wholesale crop production lessons, hands-on business exercises and field trips, and a modified business plan assignment to foster deeper learning. Collaborations have led to more opportunities for participants. In 2018, Kamehameha Schools ran a contest exclusively for GFH graduates that provided access to free land for 3 years and prize money of $10,000 to scale their business. In 2019, a collaboration with Hoola Veteran Services has allowed GFH to train aspiring veteran farmers on Hawaii Island and made veteran support services available to veteran participants statewide. GFH has also provided support to other beginning farmer training programs in the state by offering business education and support to students of other programs.GFH has the ability to serve the needs of its beneficiaries, including LR/SD/V groups based on prior experience and by involving qualified partners with a strong track record of serving these audiences. Continued funding is essential for program survival and to leverage partner involvement. The program's established infrastructure, connection with the University's Land Grant College, and commitment by its staff and advisors will lead to statewide reach, immediate results, and ability to offer relevant content. Prior grant panel and graduate recommendations were reviewed and a number of suggestions were implemented or included in this proposal to enhance GFH for future students.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The goal of the project is to reduce Hawaii's dependence on imported food and increase the state's food sustainability.Objective 1: Increase the number of viable, sustainable commercial farmers in HawaiiSub Objective 1a: Aspiring farmers across the State are engaged with the GFH program.Sub Objective 1b: High-potential aspiring farmers across the State have the fundamental knowledge and training required to produce crops for market.Sub Objective 1c: 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 business.Sub Objective 1d: Offer new AgXcel Phase to high-potential beginning farmers at Hawaii Island and Kauai locations. Participants have advanced knowledge and practice of commercial crop production and are prepared to start and operate a farm business.Sub Objective 1e: Beginning famers have support transitioning to commercial farming.Objective 2: Provide leadership, networking, communication, and other critical skills and competencies to aspiring farmersObjective 3: Provide opportunities for additional learning before business startupObjective 4: Improve the financial and business health of new and beginning farmersObjective 5: Improve revenue opportunities for Hawaii Island participantsObjective 6: Identify and support important beginning farming initiatives and development in Hawaii
Project Methods
Objective 1: Increase the number of viable, sustainable commercial farmers in Hawaii: Deliver the GFH program model (as described in PRODUCTS) at each program site.Sub Objective 1a: Aspiring farmers across the State are engaged with the GFH program: Deliver via AgCurious events, a widely-promoted seminar to attract a 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. In AgXposure, participants will have 4-5 all-day working excursions to get exposure to the breadth and demands of farming. Phase is designed to allow for self-selection out of the program as well as to help program leaders identify prospects for the next level, AgSchool.Sub Objective 1b: High-potential aspiring farmers across the State have the fundamental knowledge and practice required to produce crops for market: Delivered through AgSchool: four 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 and discussion ("flipped classroom" style). Weekly field instruction and practice (6-7 hours) including demonstrations, feedback, and discussion of identified field issues. A detailed crop plan and field journal are part of the rubric required for graduation. Participants report an average of 10+ additional hours per week to complete field work and assignments.Sub Objective 1c: 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 business: Delivered via AgPro: six months of science-based curriculum and field-based practicum. Similar to AgSchool but with more advanced coverage of topics with particular focus on commercial scale practices. Minimum sales levels are required to impose the pressure of growing for market. Participants grow a communal crop for wholesale distribution to gain experience with larger scale production and packing requirements. New topics introduced 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, farm bureau, extension agents, etc.) A portfolio (including field records, issues, and challenges), plot showcase, business plan, and sales revenues are part of the rubric required for graduation. Participants report an average of 20+ additional hours per week to complete field work and assignments.Sub Objective 1d: Offer new AgXcel Phase to high-potential beginning farmers at Hawaii Island and Kauai locations: Based on feedback from Hawaii Island and Kauai students relating to long commutes (due to size of Hawaii Island) and existing land availability, the project will pilot a phase that combines AgSchool and AgPro. Curriculum for the new AgXcel Phase has already been developed and will be six months in length. The curriculum includes all topics learned in AgPro but participants will maintain a 2,500 square foot and operate a 7-week CSA.Sub Objective 1e: Beginning famers have support transitioning to commercial farming: Delivered 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 and marketing of crops of their choosing. GFH staff are available for ad-hoc mentoring and perform periodic plot and business consultations and evaluations. Monthly meetings are held for continued learning on topics of the incubatees choosing. To ensure participants are progressing toward independent commercial farming, incubatees must meet escalating production requirements to remain in AgIncubator and are evaluated every six months.Business support is available to all participants who have completed AgSchool via the AgBusiness Team. Assistance includes business formation, business planning, value-added products, financing, marketing, land acquisition, and general guidance.Objective 2: Provide leadership, networking, communication, and other critical skills and competencies to aspiring farmers: Workshops including leadership (topics such as business management, ethics, professionalism, negotiation, and networking), intensive on-farm experiences to learn about how to scale and manage business from existing farmers, value-added production to learn about additional revenue streams, and production skills. Workshops may be open to all beginning farmers (not only GFH BFTP participants). Delivered through the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii, Oahu RC&D, or organized by GFH staff. Support services for women farmers throughout the state will be coordinated by Oahu RC&D.Objective 3: Provide opportunities for additional learning before business startup: Currently, participants interested in AgIncubator must enter the phase immediately after completing AgPro. To provide opportunity for graduates to refine their farm business goals, obtain more hands-on learning experiences, and build capital before starting a business, the project will pilot a Gap Year option. AgPro graduates who actively work in agriculture will have the opportunity to gain additional farm experience before entering the AgIncubator Phase. To support the Gap Year concept, GFH will develop a mentorship/apprenticeship matchmaking system and tools to help each party identify clear expectations and outcomes.Objective 4: Improve the financial and business health of new and beginning farmers: Delivered via the AgBusiness Team, 1-on-1 consulting sessions with new and beginning farmers will be conducted. Businesses interested can apply via a simple 2-page application available on the program website (www.gofarmhawaii.org). Services are advertised on the GFH website, through social media, other organizations, and educational training and workshop sessions.Objective 5: Improve revenue opportunities for Hawaii Island participants: The Hawaii Island training site recently relocated and has access to a certified commercial kitchen. To increase revenue opportunities for participants, value-added product curriculum will be developed and piloted with the support of University and private organization expertise.Objective 6: Identify and support important beginning farming initiatives and development in Hawaii: Delivered via the AgBusiness Team. Will provide training to beginning farmers and to students of other beginning farmer training programs. Will develop publicly available agricultural resources for the industry. Will provide scholarships for Hawaii Agricultural Leadership Program.