The GoFarm Hawaiʻi AgBusiness Team helps new and existing agribusinesses strengthen their business models with technical support in areas of finance, marketing, business planning and resources. Business assistance and consultations are available to discuss goal setting, business strategy, financial analysis, market opportunity and more.
GoFarm Hawaiʻi Director – Janel Yamamoto
Director of the GoFarm Hawaiʻi Program. Janel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management. She has been a VP of a large bank in Hawaiʻi and has particular expertise in financial analysis, compliance, project management and human resource issues. Janel has consulted with farmers throughout the state for over 14 years.
GoFarm Hawaiʻi Director – Laura Ediger
Laura has a background in botany, agroecology, and sustainability. After her PhD research in southwest China, she worked in Asia for 10 years as a consultant, and managed a farmer training program in China teaching sustainability practices to fruit and vegetable farmers. Now with roots in the soils of Oʻahu, she gets to grow native plants and fruit trees and keep bees.
AgBusiness Consultant – Erik Shimizu
AgBusiness Consultant. Erik Provides training and consulting for GFH AgPro students and farmers throughout the state. A graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Erik has worked in large CPA firms and businesses specializing in accounting, and at a global professional services firm as a management consultant.
AgBusiness Consultant – Pomai Weigert
AgBusiness Consultant. Pomai brings experience in marketing, community relations, agtourism, and social media. She has served as a consultant to the Hawaii AgriTourism Association and as Marketing and Community Relations Director for Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm.
Agribusiness Project Coordinator – Alyssa Lee
Agribusiness Project Coordinator. Alyssa provides marketing training and consulting for GoFarm students and farmers throughout the state. She has a BA from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is also a graduate and former AgIncubator of the GoFarm Hawaiʻi Program as part of Windward Oʻahu Cohort 9.
AgBusiness Consultant – Kyle Barber
Before joining GoFarm Hawaiʻi, Kyle was the Agricultural Manager at Dole Food Company in Wahiawā, HI. Kyle brings over 10 years of experience in large-scale production of row and orchard crops. He has a B.S. degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management and an M.S. in Tropical Plants and Soil Science both from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Kyle’s interests are in new ag technology, on-farm automation and solving diverse agricultural problems for Hawaiʻi’s small farmers.
Grant Program Specialist – Jamie Ronzello
Jamie brings extensive experience in agriculture and value-added production, having owned and operated a diversified vegetable farm for over a decade. As the Director of Food Sovereignty at the nonprofit Sustʻāinable Molokai for nine years, she played a pivotal role in launching Molokai’s only Food Hub, as well as developing multiple farmer training initiatives and farm-to-food assistance programs. Jamie has a deep commitment to fostering food sovereignty and sustainable agricultural practices at a statewide level with community-based approaches.