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Thanks to students/graduates Augusto, Ruvi, Jackie, Lauren, and Richard for helping to represent GoFarm Hawai`i at our State Capitol’s AgDay today. All photos (c) Augusto Decastro Photography!

 

GoFarm @The Kohala Center visited Patrick and Farrell Niemeyer’s 10-acre family farm in Umauma, about 16 miles north of Hilo. We started the day with an overview of the farm and Patrick shared how they transformed abandoned sugar land to what it is today, a diversified farm with sheep, a mixed fruit orchard, and a large veggie garden. The Niemeyer’s shared about how they cooperated with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)  to make improvements to their farm (i.e. interior fencing, grubbing and grading, a water catchment system, and season extension hoop houses). After the farm tour we got a lesson in fence building and helped to install in interior fence so their sheep could be put on an improved rotational grazing system. Thank you to Patrick and Ferrell Niemeyer, we all had a fun day, learned lots, and did lots of bonding! Here is a reflection from one of the participants: “…getting down and dirty building that fence at the Niemeyer’s Farm was one of the best teaching and learning experiences I have ever had.  Not only did I get to see an incredible diversified farm that people had hacked practically out of jungle but I got to partake in something that brought all of us together.  Afterwards we exchanged phone numbers.  Yes…it is true that fences make good neighbors but making a fence together makes good friends.”

GoFarm Hawai’i @ North Shore AgXposure students spend the morning with AgIncubatees and the afternoon with AgPro students at the Windward farm. Everyone benefits: The AgIncubatees and AgPro students get help and the AgXposure participants get a real taste of what their future may hold in the program as well as get very relevant mentoring.  One of our favorite days!

 

Coach Eric’s never tires of making sure everyone knows about the goodness that is GoFarm Hawai`i @ Kaua`i. Here he is at the recent Mahi`ai Workshop at Kealia Farm, letting the audience (including many homesteaders) know about GFH and inviting them to hele mai to the AgCurious seminar at KCC on 2/22.  Also at the workshop were other farmer-serving organizations like the organizers, Malama Kaua`i and AgriLogic (Meagan McElya of AgriLogic took the nice photos of Eric, thanks!).

Hilo Sharks that is.  Where they process and retail coffee, vanilla, and cacao.  Participants in GoFarm Hawai`i @ The Kohala Center’s AgXposure class got to help process the cacao pods and beans.
Profitable small scale farming often requires farmers to have a diversity of income streams including value-added products.

We had a rainy but excellent AgXposure day at Mohala Farms! Kathy and Mark gave us a very inspirational talk under the Hale, followed by a tour, and then some good hands on activities. We split into 2 groups and tackled some chicken paddocks maintenance and banana weeding/mulching. Even with the less than desirable weather, spirits were high and we were able to get a lot done and have a successful experience. I am including some pictures from the day. I could not be happier with and already proud of this group of people I am working with.  –Daniel