About the AgOrchard program

AgOrchard is a specialized course offered by GoFarm Hawaiʻi, designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, plant, and manage a healthy and productive commercial orchard. The program is ideal for aspiring and beginning farmers, landowners, and agricultural enthusiasts interested in orchard crop production.

Where: Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui

Course Components:

• Duration: 10-week program
  • Oʻahu & Maui AgOrchard course is 10 consecutive weeks
  • Hawaiʻi Island AgOrchard course is intermittent; there are 10 weeks of programming spread over 6 months 
• Format: Hybrid structure with weekly online evening classes and Saturday field trips.
• Online Classes: Led by experts, covering topics such as crop selection, orchard design and installation, financial management, and more!
• Field Trips: In-person visits to diverse orchard plantings around the island, introducing participants to a variety of crops, layouts, scales of production, and business models. 
• Orchard Design Project: Participants select an orchard crop to research and share with the class, and complete an assignment for a 1-acre orchard layout and cash flow projection.

Other topics covered include:

• Orchard site selection
• Pruning and management 
• Harvest and post-harvest processing
• Crop diversification
• Soil health and irrigation
• Pest and disease management
• Long-term orchard management
• Financial planning and projections

Who Should Apply?

The course is designed for individuals with some agricultural experience, especially those focused on orchard crops. While prior farming experience is helpful, it is not mandatory. Participants are encouraged to complete GoFarm Hawaiʻi’s AgXposure and AgXcel programs first to learn many of the production basics, including soil health and pest management.

Cost: The participation fee for the AgOrchard program is $200 per person

Sign up here for email notifications about AgOrchard course or other orchard workshops and events

Note: Field trip locations are typically distributed throughout the island where the course is offered, and participants are responsible for their own transportation. Participants may choose to coordinate car-pooling options. Class start and end times may vary slightly due to farm host preferences and logistics; plan to be available from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM but be flexible.

 

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Oʻahu (North Shore) AgOrchard

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Hawaiʻi Island AgOrchard

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Maui AgOrchard

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you select participants for this course?

• Applications to join AgOrchard are competitive. While prior experience is not required, having some background in agriculture or related fields can be beneficial. We encourage applicants to demonstrate their interest in orchard crops, sustainable farming, and long-term agricultural goals in their application.

Can I take AgOrchard if I haven’t taken other GoFarm Hawaiʻi training courses like AgXcel?

• We encourage participants to take AgXcel first to learn many of the production basics, including soil health and pest management. If you are considering taking AgXposure and AgXcel, you would ideally complete these first. However, if you have some agricultural experience and are focused on orchard crops, going straight into AgOrchard may be a good fit.  

Is this course hands-on?

• AgOrchard is a hybrid course; the class structure is 1 weekday night online via Zoom and 1 Saturday field trip in-person each week. The course focuses on conceptual learning, planning, and financial modeling. While there may be some opportunities for hands-on experience, the course is primarily structured to provide foundational knowledge for orchard design and management.

What are the field trip locations, and how do I get there?

• Field trip locations are typically distributed throughout the island where the course is offered. Participants are responsible for their own transportation but may choose to coordinate car-pooling options.  

What is the orchard design assignment?

• The orchard design assignment is an opportunity for participants to apply key principles, test assumptions, and develop financial projections for their orchard plans. In the final class, all submitted assignments will be reviewed to provide insights and feedback.

Will my assignment be graded?

• The final class will discuss all submitted assignments to provide overall perspectives and suggestions. The GoFarm Hawaiʻi team will work with you directly to provide specific feedback and suggestions upon request. AgOrchard is a non-credit course and does not include formal grades.  

How do I enroll in AgOrchard?

• To enroll in AgOrchard, you must submit an application, which will be reviewed by the GoFarm Hawaiʻi team. Applications are evaluated based on interest, experience, and program fit. Applicants will be notified of their status by the dates listed on each training site’s page. 
  • Oʻahu (North Shore)
  • Maui
  • Hawaiʻi Island

 Who can I contact for more information?

For any additional questions, you can email us at info@gofarmhawaii.org

 

Sign up here for email notifications about AgOrchard course or other orchard workshops and events

 

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This course is supported through the Extension Foundation’s AgriProspects Workforce Development Network. AgriProspects is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under Workforce Development Competitive Grant 2023-67037-40533. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Extension Foundation.