The Kohala Center News
The Kohala Center’s Rural and Cooperative Business Development Services team is dedicated to strengthening Hawai‘i’s rural and agricultural businesses. Opportunities and upcoming events include mahi‘ai scholarships, enrollment deadline for USDA’s conservation reserve program, a food safety workshop, news from Hawai‘i Seed Growers Network, and more. Please visit our website at kohalacenter.org/business for more information about our services, upcoming events, microloan programs, and other resources.
Mahalo nui loa to all of our readers this year. We look forward to serving you in 2020. If you find these Agricultural Resource Bulletins useful, please consider a tax-deductible contribution to support our efforts.
The next edition of the Agricultural Resources Bulletin will be published on Thursday, January 16, 2020. Have a safe and happy holiday season.
Mahalo,
Nicole, Teresa, Megan, Eric, Melanie, Ka‘iana, and Maile
Rural and Cooperative Business Development Services
The Kohala Center
________________________________________
OPPORTUNITIES
Ōhāhā High School AgriCULTURE Program accepting applications
The next session of our Ōhāhā High School AgriCULTURE program will be held March 16–20, 2020. High school students and recent grads will deepen their connection with ʻāina and local food production, learn about educational and career opportunities in agriculture, and receive a VISA gift card for up to $125 for successfully completing the program. Learn more and apply at koha.la/ohaha or call The Kohala Center at 808-887-6411.
Apply for a Mahi‘ai Scholarship
Kamehameha Schools encourages eligible applicants to apply for a Mahi‘ai Scholarship, which provides financial support to individuals interested in pursuing a certificate, community college, or university degree in an agriculture-related field. Visit the program website for more information and to apply.
Kapi‘olani Community College (KCC) announces GoCook! Hawai‘i program for 2020
The Culinary Arts Department at KCC is offering a free, 10-week culinary arts training for adults and youth (ages 16+) interested in entering the food service industry. In this fast-track program, participants learn essential knowledge and skills needed to secure employment and be successful in this industry. Refer to the brochure for complete information. Contact Stan Fichtman at 808-734-9607 with questions or to enroll.
Hawai‘i State Trade Expansion Program (HiSTEP) accepting applications for 2020
HiSTEP provides technical assistance, funding, and other resources to eligible Hawai‘i companies establishing or expanding export operations. Read the latest program newsletter to learn more about upcoming opportunities.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development launches new website
This week USDA Rural Development released a newly designed website to make it easier for the public to access information about the agency’s programs and services. The new website is available at rd.usda.gov.
Enroll in USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Farmers and ranchers enrolled in CRP receive a yearly rental payment for voluntarily establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species to control soil erosion, improve water quality, and develop wildlife habitat. The deadline to enroll for General CRP is February 28, 2020, while enrollment for Continuous CRP is ongoing. Refer to the agency’s press release for more information or contact your local FSA county office.
County of Hawai‘i invites residents and organizations to register for GrantStation membership
County of Hawai‘i Department of Research & Development has secured free access to GrantStation for Hawai‘i Island residents and organizations. GrantStation is a premiere online database with information about grant awards and funding opportunities from public and private sources. To initiate the registration process, complete this online form. Contact Marcia Yoshiyama at marcia.yoshiyama@hawaiicounty.gov for assistance.
Kōkua Harvest seeks volunteers and crop suppliers on Hawai‘i Island
The Kōkua Harvest Project is the first Hawai’i Island-wide food rescue project that harvests and collects fresh food from farms and other sources for donation to local food pantries and community partners. The initiative is seeking volunteers to help with harvesting as well as farms interested in supplying crops. To get involved, contact info@kokuaharvest.org, visit kokuaharvest.org, or share this flyer with others who may be interested.
Common Ground accelerator program accepting applications
Common Ground is an experimental accelerator program with a mission to help food and beverage companies in Hawai‘i launch and scale. Businesses selected for the pilot cohort will receive $50,000 in cash investment in addition to technical assistance services valued at $50,000. Applications are due January 15, 2020, and must be submitted online. Refer to the website for more information and to apply.
Elemental Excelerator accepting internship applications
Elemental Excelerator (EE) is offering paid internship opportunities with innovative startup companies that are part of EE’s business accelerator portfolio. This opportunity is ideal for college students and recent graduates. Refer to EE’s recent newsletter for more information and to apply. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2020.
Affordable housing available for agricultural workers
Located in Central O‘ahu, Kunia Village is an affordable housing development serving people working in, or retired from, the agricultural industry. Kunia Village currently has single-family homes available for rent to qualified applicants. Refer to the brochure for more information or contact Annette Uekawa at 808-439-6375 or annette.uekawa@eahhousing.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Grow your own lā‘au
Presented by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi with funding from Hawai‘i Tourism Authority
Saturday, December 22 • 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Hāmākua Harvest Farmers Market, 44-2600 Māmalahoa Hwy, Honoka‘a, Hawai‘i Island (map)
Workshop instructor Carly Wyman will teach participants about the six lā‘au (plants) that are the foundation of traditional Hawaiian healing. Attendees will receive plants to take home.
Call 808-969-9220 with questions.
»View/download flyer
Bending the Curve: Energy, Transportation, & Climate Change Policy
Presented by Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum
Friday, January 10 • 1–4:30 p.m.
Hawaiʻi State Capitol Auditorium, 415 South Beretania St, Honolulu, O‘ahu (map)
This annual briefing will discuss opportunities for keeping Hawai‘i on track to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 and the vision of an equitable clean energy future. The event is free and open to the public; however, registration is requested in advance. Contact hepf@hawaii.edu with questions.
»Register online
»View/download flyer
Together We Farm Workshop Series: Pesticide safety workshop
Presented by O‘ahu Agriculture & Conservation Association in collaboration with UH CTAHR, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, West O‘ahu Soil & Water Conservation District, among others
Tuesday, January 14 • 5–7 p.m. (Mandarin language)
University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, 91-1001 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, O‘ahu (map)
Thursday, January 16 • 5–7 p.m. (English language)
Corteva Agriscience, 67-172 Farrington Hwy, Waialua, O‘ahu (map)
The first workshop in this series will focus on pesticide safety and application techniques for agricultural producers. Participants may be eligible to apply for a mini-grant upon workshop completion. The cost to attend is $15 per person, and registration is required in advance. For questions, contact Michelle Gorham at 808-729-1676 or westoahuSWCD@gmail.com. Refer to the program flyer for a complete list of all workshops in the series.
»Register online
»View/download flyer (English series)
»View/download flyer (Mandarin series)
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
Presented by The Kohala Center and UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service with funding from Hawaii Department of Agriculture and County of Hawai‘i
Friday, January 17 • 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Komohana Research & Extension Center, 875 Komohana St, Hilo, Hawai‘i Island (map)
The Cooperative Extension Food Safety Team at UH CTAHR presents an FDA-approved training for fruit and vegetable growers about the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule and good agricultural practices. Topics covered include produce safety, agricultural water, worker hygiene, and post-harvest sanitation. The workshop fee is $150 per person, and limited scholarships are available. Contact Kendyll Howard at 808-887-6411 or khoward@kohalacenter.org for more information.
»Register online
»View/download flyer
PRODUCTION NEWS
Ashwagandha: Family medicine from the garden
Discover one of the major herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine in this recent blog post by Nancy Redfeather of Hawai‘i Seed Growers Network. New seed varieties are available to purchase at hawaiiseedgrowersnetwork.com/shop.
E ‘ulu e! Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative (HUC) celebrates three years in production
HUC sends a warm mahalo to all of the farmer-members, customers, and supporters who helped make the last three years a great success. Read the co-op’s newsletter to learn about their accomplishments and the recent launch of a new retail frozen ‘ulu product.
Latest edition of Hānai‘Ai newsletter available online
Learn about cutting-edge research, educational outreach, and other recent agricultural activities in the Fall 2019 edition of Hānai‘Ai, the sustainable agriculture newsletter of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai’i.
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