The Kohala Center….Employment/Opportunities/Events

Employment

Ocean Grace Farms is seeking a part-time regenerative farm hand
Ocean Grace Farms, a small cacao orchard in Kailua-Kona, is hiring a regenerative farm hand. This part-time position involves caring for a cacao orchard and companion plants while learning sustainable farming practices such as Korean Natural Farming (KNF), compost tea application, irrigation maintenance, and natural pest management. The position pays $25 per hour, starting at one 8-hour day per week. For more information and to apply, visit their website or email katie@oceangracefarms.com.

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Opportunities

Survey information needed from aspiring, beginning, and experienced farmers for a new farmer apprenticeship program
Input from aspiring, beginning and experienced farmers is being sought by community researchers from Leeward Community College to help shape a new farmer apprentice program. Insights will ensure the program supports and mentors the next generation of farmers effectively. There are two separate surveys depending on experience:

• Aspiring and beginning farmers (less than 5 years)
• Experienced farmers (5+ years)

The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund application is open
The Fellowship Fund program is a small grant program that provides direct assistance to Veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. The application will close on February 14 at 7 p.m. with awards set to be announced in May. To apply, visit the FVC website. Email fellowship@farmvetco.org with any questions.

Apply for fiscal year 2025 Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) assistance programs
The USDA NRCS in the Pacific Islands area is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2025 assistance programs. Farmers, ranchers, and foresters in the Pacific Islands area interested in fiscal year 2025 funding can apply by January 31, 2025 for technical and financial assistance through NRCS’ Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Agricultural Management Assistance program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Applications and more information are available at your local USDA Service Centers and online.

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Events

Mālama Da Farmer (MDF) Grants information webinar
January 22 • 4–5 p.m.
The Food Basket is offering an informational webinar to learn how to apply for the Mālama Da Farmer Grants. Grants will be awarded to eligible small businesses and nonprofits involved in local food production across Hawaiʻi County. A total of $710,000 will be available, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. This informative session will guide small businesses and nonprofits through the application process, offering valuable insights on eligibility, required documents, and tips for submitting a successful application.
»Register

ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest and East Hawaiʻi Master Gardeners Plant Sale
Sunday, January 26 • 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Komohana Research Extension Center, 875 Komohana St, Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island (map)
The ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest and the East Hawaiʻi Master Gardeners Plant Sale will feature speaker presentations, information booths, garden walks and tours, music, activities, and more. A variety of plants will be available for purchase: plants from East Hawaiʻi Master Gardeners, fruit trees from Tropical Fruit Growers Network, sugarcane from Indigenous Cropping Labs, cycads from Hilo Botanical Garden, native plants from Hawaiʻi Forest Institution, and ʻulu trees from the ʻUlu Cooperative. For more information email himga@hawaii.edu.

Mālama Da Farmer: Planning to Scale webinar series
Free 5-part webinar series offered by GoFarm Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiʻi Food Basket that is designed to help scale up farm businesses. The series covers new crop opportunities, sales channels, value-added products, tools and equipment, and budgeting and funding. By registering for the entire series and attending at least one webinar, viewers will get access to all content even if they are unable to attend all sessions. Register here for Zoom access.

• February 3 • 5:30–7 p.m.: New crop opportunities
• February 10 • 5:30–7 p.m.: New sales channels
• February 17 • 5:30–7 p.m.: Value added products
• February 24 • 5:30–7 p.m.: Tools and equipment
• March 3 • 5:30–7 p.m.: Building a budget and finding funding