Hawaii Organic Farmers Association

HOFA is nationally networked with the organic industry and is a member of the Organic Certifiers Caucus, and the Organic Materials Review Institute.

The following links will provide additional information about organic agriculture:

Organic Trade Association (www.ota.com)
Organic Materials Review Institute (www.omri.org)
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (www.ifoam.org)
Organic Farming Research Foundation (www.ofrf.org)
National Organic Program (www.ams.usda.gov/nop/)
Independent Organic Inspectors Association www.ioia.net

California Certified Organic Farmers (www.ccof.org)

Organic Farming Research Foundation www.ofrf.org

About the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association....

HOFA MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to protect the life of the land and the health of our communities through education about organic land care practices.We believe that developing and strengthening certified organic farms will enhance Hawaii's many fragile ecosystems and be a base for a local sustainable economy.

HISTORY & PURPOSE

WHAT IS HOFA?

WHAT SERVICES DOES HOFA PROVIDE?

WHO IS HOFA?

WHY IS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IMPORTANT?

HOFA's HISTORY AND PURPOSE

Hawaii has a long history of feeding her people with an abundance of wholesome, organically grown food. Only in the past century has self-sustaining agriculture been replaced by chemically based monoculture and the importation of basic foods. Now, in these changing times Hawaii's farmers, and her organic farmers in particular, are again looking to supply a great variety of foods from land and sea to meet the local needs of an expanding health conscious population.

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) was formed in September 1993 in response to the federally mandated Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) of1990. The purpose of OFPA is to set consistent organic production standards nationwide and to boost consumer confidence in food claimed to be "organically grown." Soon any produce in the USA claiming to be "organic" must be certified.

What is HOFA?

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) is a non-profit membership organization that administers organic certification in the State of Hawaii. HOFA promotes organic and sustainable agriculture through research, education, and by providing organic certification services in compliance with the Federal Organic Rule enacted in 2000.

What Services Does HOFA Provide?

Certification:

HOFA is federally accredited to offer Basic Crop, Apiary, Livestock, and Processing/Handling certifications. For more information, please see the HOFA ‘Seven Steps to Organic Certification’ brochure.

Farm Apprentice Program:

HOFA’s Farm Apprenticeship Program is a collaborative arrangement between HOFA certified farms and individuals seeking work trade opportunities on organic farms in Hawaii. The Farm Apprenticeship Program is for people of all ages to learn the basics of sustainable organic agriculture through hands-on experience and instruction.

Information & Education:

HOFA offers many publications and resources to assist producers and consumers with tropical organic agriculture. HOFA conducts workshops, conferences and participates in tradeshows. HOFA has a video, ‘Growing toward the Light’, which showcases Hawaii’s organic farms.

Research:

HOFA collaborates with farmers and researchers on projects pertaining to organic and sustainable tropical agriculture.

Who Is HOFA?

HOFA members are people like you who care about the food they eat and its impact on the environment. Our membership is made up of local organic farmers, distributors, retailers, students, and consumers wishing to support and promote organic agriculture in Hawaii. You do not need to be an organic producer to be a member. Members receive regular newsletters and notices of events, workshops, conferences and seminars.

HOFA is organized with a seven-member volunteer Board of Directors. The Board represents all of the counties in the State of Hawaii. HOFA has three part-time administrators to facilitate day-to-day operations of the organization and maintains an office at 474 Kalinikoa St, # 203 in Hilo.

HOFA’s Organic Certification Program is administered by qualified HOFA members appointed to the Certification Committee. A team of independent and IOIA trained inspectors provide contract services to HOFA’s Certification Program.

Why Is Organic Agriculture Important?

Organic agriculture provides healthy food for people who care. Over the last decade the increase of toxic chemicals in our food systems has resulted in increased contamination of our soil, water, and air. Organic agriculture is one of the fastest growing sectors worldwide due to a growing concern from consumers and farmers alike.

Organic certification by a federally accredited agency now gives consumers the assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict standards that prohibit the use of toxic materials. Farmers are required by the USDA Final Rule to minimize soil erosion, implement crop rotations, and prevent contamination of crops, soil, or water by plant and animal nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals, or residues of prohibited substances.

Organic agriculture respects the balance of a healthy ecosystem by encouraging wildlife, creating plant and animal diversity, building healthy soils, and through the protection and conservation of water resources.

Organic farming is an important building block for the health and future of all resources on our planet while developing economic viability and quality of life for our rural communities.

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA)
P.O. Box 6863, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 969-7789 Fax: (808) 969-7759
Email: hofa@hawaiiorganicfarmers.org
Copyright 2002