Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:During the period, the Hawaii-One-Ag consortium targeted Native Hawaii and other underserved populations in Hawaii with efforts to deliver science-based learning, such as formal classroom instruction, practicum experiences, innovative curriculum development, internships, workshops, extension and outreach. The target audience included college students; prospective students in high school, community colleges, and within UH's four-year institutions; public and private school students in grades K-12; youth participants in community programs; teachers and educators in K-12 and higher education in Hawaii; and the general public attending outreach events promoting academic/training programs in agriculture and natural resource management in Hawaii. Changes/Problems:Unfortunately, across the system, the University of Hawaii continued to struggle to fill vacant HR and fiscal positions that were lost over the past 5 years due to Covid and retirement, and compounded by delays in civil service hiring. Unfortunately, over the last year, delays have shown that as an institution we're still struggling with a slow-down in the support services that our program relies on.Project work began later than anticipated, and has been hindered by fiscal staff shortages. We will be adapting our timelines to accommodate longer wait times; and trying to make due with fewer transactions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?At CTAHR, Hawaii-One-Ag activities are featured in the Academic and Student Affairs Office (ASAO) weekly and monthly newsletters, the Student Internship and Professional Opportunities (SIPO monthly website, the CTAHR's monthly newsletter "CTAHR Notes", and the college's monthly external e-bulletin "CTAHR Alumni and Friends". These communications enhance public understanding and interest in our college and in our fields of study. Find Hawaii-One-Ag Website at http://hawaii.edu/hawaii-one-ag. UH Hilo announces their programs activities through both a website and a social media presence. Created Fall 2020, the UH Hilo NIFA website (www.uhhiloag.org) was developed as a way to highlight the program's objectives and activities. The site allows viewers to tour the different educational areas of the program including the various greenhouses, apiaries and animal barns. Additional sections include publications, presentations and student help/mentor information. UHH has a social media presence as well (with +416 followers). Find UHH on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/uhhilo.cafnrm/). Also, UHH electronically published (and distributed) the proceedings of the CAFNRM Student Symposium, to increase interest in student research. At UH Maui College, Hawaii-One-Ag shares information though the UHMC Facebook page for college activities, (https://www.facebook.com/pages/UH-Maui-College-Agriculture-and-Natural-Resources-Department/234570036579111), and it is regularly updated with pictures of course projects, program events, staff and student accomplishments and other agriculture or conservation events held in the community. At Hawaii CC, information was disseminated to communities of interest through lecture and lab courses as well as program websites [http://hawaii.hawaii.edu/forestteam/]; and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/forestteamprogram/ ] For outreach activities, school visits, career fairs and community events, a combination of verbal communication, posters, and program brochures were used to educate the public. At Kauai CC, Hawaii-One-Ag activities are featured on the campus website and Chancellor's newsletter. Flyers and photos are part of hallway displays in the Natural Science building. KauaiCC Agriculture and Ulutopia have been featured in several, promotional, video programs. Lastly, KCC engages a younger, more diverse audience, through updates and informally articles on Facebook and Instagram. At Leeward CC, Hawaii-One-Ag continues to maintain a social media page on Instagram (with +500 followers), to help drive program interest, and link to program websites: https://www.instagram.com/lee_sustainable_ag/. At Windward CC, there is a new program webpage (https://windward.hawaii.edu/programs-of-study/agripharmatech/), with program details, and insights into the career information and job outlooks. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Unfortunately, across the system, the University of Hawaii continued to struggle to fill vacant HR and fiscal positions that were lost over the past 5 years due to Covid and retirement, and compounded by delays in civil service hiring. Unfortunately, over the last year, delays have shown that as an institution we're still struggling with a slow-down in the support services that our program relies on. Project work began later than anticipated, and has been hindered by fiscal staff shortages. We will be adapting our timelines to accommodate longer wait times; and trying to make due with fewer transactions.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Hawaii-One-Ag is dedicated to improving our students' experience in higher education, and committed to supporting their need to create change. Hi-One-Ag programs promote adaption, respect, inclusion, and appreciation of differences. Our incoming students are fundamentally different from those of previous years - shaped by global connectivity, motivated by climate change news - and more self-aware of their impacts on the environment, community, and our island. Our students are motivated to create change. Hawaii-One-Ag will provide a diversity of educational opportunities to harness their motivation: Internships, student research, mentorships, leadership rolls, and student employment. Starting with a personal highlight for the year and addressing Objective 3: Promote and Redefine Agriculture's Image in Hawaii, our students got the message! Hawaii agricultural is about a community need, and can be a personal triumph. At HawaiiCC, a small number of students made a difference. Over one semester, 25 HCC students participated in maintaining the Pepeekeo 3-acre Agroforestry demonstration site as part of their class activities. This valuable hands-on experience yielded an impressive 2,000 pounds of produce for the local food bank, with students enjoying a small share for themselves. Not to outdone, the next semester, 25 HCC-AG students produced 200 lbs/week of aquaponic vegetables in Tropical Ag production courses at the UH Panaewa farm. The vegetables were used by the culinary program's campus cafeteria. We demonstrated that agricultural is not old and back-breaking, but dynamic and relevant. Focusing on Develop Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Workforce (Objective 2), Hawaii-One-Ag's LCC site reinvigorated their program around the Hawaiian core value of Malama ka Aina (to care for the land). [Goal 2.1. Bringing Indigenous and Cultural Components to Hi-One-Ag Program.] At LCC, beginning in Fall 2023 and continuing through Spring 2024, several courses in the Sustainable Agriculture program (BOT 130, BOT 130L, AG 112, AG 110L, and AG 110) actively participated in the design and implementation of a Pacific Agroforestry project on our campus. The course curricula were enhanced to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge, focusing on Polynesian plants and agricultural practices. Additionally, LCC introduced a curriculum change for BOT 130 and BOT 130L in Fall 2023, offering these courses as early college options to students from Waipahu High School. Held at the Leeward campus, students engaged in a semester-long project that involved researching, designing, and installing a coastal native garden. This garden features 35 species of Hawaiian native plants typically found in coastal zones, many of which are valued for lei making and medicinal purposes. Focused on the Education-to-Workforce Opportunities [Goal 2.3.], in Spring 2024, LCC students in the Sustainable Agriculture program took part in an internship course that offered mentorship and valuable connections within the agriculture industry. Each student was paired with an industry partner, where they gained hands-on experience through their internships. At the end of the semester, they presented their experiences to Leeward CC faculty, staff, and industry partners. A total of 12 students participated, with 10 receiving stipends through a grant. Additionally, two students were awarded a stipend to take part in an Ethnobotany course offered by the University of Alaska. Hawaii-One-Ag started the work of building a larger coalition of educators and guides - [Goal 2.3. Build Partnerships between Education, Government, and Industry]. Over the year, activities were held at UHH and LCC. At UHH, 40 high school counselors attended workshops and a farm tour at UHH, held on September 29, 2023. Counselors participated in workshops in the areas of beekeeping, greenhouse management and equine care. The workshops were developed to mimic the laboratory activities found in the CAFNRM curriculum. The activities were designed to impart to the counselors the exciting, hands-on learning opportunities that UHH has to offer potential students. At LCC, 30 DOE teachers attended Leeward Community College's Value-Added Agriculture Week of Exploration on June 17-21 of 2024. 30 teachers from local high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools spent an immersive week focused on Agriculture, Culinary Arts, and Entrepreneurship. Participants gained first-hand experience with value-added agriculture from the perspectives of both farmers and thriving entrepreneurs. The week kicked off with a tour of the campus farm, followed by a hands-on culinary session where we prepared lunch using farm-fresh produce. We also introduced the teachers to our Sustainable Agriculture program. The remaining days were held at the Wahiawa Product Development Center, Leeward CC's new facility, where participants engaged with guest speakers, worked with industry-grade equipment, and explored 8 different value-added businesses and farms. Participants were given dedicated time to work on their campus projects, with Sustainable Agriculture faculty offering technical support and guidance, particularly to schools with an agriculture focus. Focused on the Goal 2.4. Workforce Retraining Skill Certificate & Goal 2.5. Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students, UHH is building a community around a passion. UHH hosted a Masterson Method Weekend Workshop, April 20-21, 2024. The equine massage workshop included training for students, staff, and program associates from all skill backgrounds. This unique opportunity created connections with staff and students; and contributed to the overall betterment of animal husbandry in our community.
Publications
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