Hawaii Organic Farmers Association

2006 HOFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robert Burton-President

Franz Weber-Vice President

Michael Alms-Treasurer

Elisha Goodman-Secretary

Curtis Faltstrom-Oahu Director-At-Large

Dave Gelber– Big Island Director-At-Large (newly elected)

Rosa Russell– Kauai Director-At-Large (newly elected)

All of the HOFA Directors are volunteer and commit to a 2-year term on the Board. They come from a diverse background to represent the broad spectrum of HOFA membership. They are organic food distributors, landscape architects, farmers, activists, crop input suppliers, and of course, organic consumers just like you!

Successful Soil Fertility Workshops

Throughout the month of February, HOFA hosted Amigo Bob Cantisano in a series of workshops around the state on compost production and soil fertility. Over 130 people attended the three workshops held on Maui, Big Island, and Kauai.

Each full day seminar was packed with useful information about cover crops, pest and disease controls, appropriate technologies, tools, compost and compost tea production, and of course, presented in an inspiring performance only Amigo can deliver.

These workshops were made possible in part from grants obtained through the Department of Agriculture and County of Hawaii Research and Development . Amigo was able to visit several farms on each island as a personal agriculture consultant and plans to return later this year to continue his endeavor. We will keep you posted as to his whereabouts if you missed connecting with him in February.

If you would like to contact Amigo directly he can be reached at:

Amigo Cantisano

PO Box 942

N. San Juan, CA 95960

(530) 292-3619

orgamigo@jps.net

Amigo also has a monthly e-mail broadcast from various sources for the activist in you called, “Ag News You Can Use”. To subscribe simply send him an e-mail. A special thanks to Mana Health Foods, Maha’s Café, and Moloa’a Fruit Stand for all the delicious organic food.

North Shore Organics Grower of the Month

The Kaua`i County Farm Bureau sponsors the Grower of the Month. Its purpose is to showcase successful bureau members who are making positive contributions to the agricultural economic sector of this island.

Many of us probably think the organic food revolution has its roots in the 60’s with the hippies and the back to nature movement. Well, just ask Aimee Moorhead of North Shore Organics and you will get a quick education from an impassioned and committed organic farmer. Her packaged lettuce, with the humpback whale on the front, can be found everywhere on Kaua`i.

Since the beginning of time until the 1950’s, produce was grown without the availability of chemical fertilizers and herbicides, which is pretty close to the organic principles now in use once again. Over the past fifty years, the introduction of chemical technology has allowed higher yields and more competitive pricing to feed a rapidly expanding population here and around the world. At the same time, this explosion in know-how has also afforded us an opportunity to examine the consequences of our actions. The resurgence of interest in organics is directly related to a growing social and political consciousness concerned with everything from global warming to recycling. For many, it is just part of an evolving lifestyle that is attempting to balance consumption with conservation and environmental sensitivity.

At Kaua`i Sunrise Farms, the home of North Shore Organics, it is about the day-to-day trials and tribulations of farming and survival, a reality shared by every person making a living from the land. This venture began about five years ago, with a market garden of diverse vegetables and lettuce, sold at our Sunrise Farmers Markets and in specialty stores. Within a year, the farm transitioned to a wholesaler of its now famous packaged lettuce, selling to grocery stores and chains, both here and on O`ahu.

According to Aimee, it’s all about the health of the soil. The lives of six and a half billion people depend upon only 3% of the earth’s total surface for their food supply. Composting is the key to regenerating the soil and organics at its best is a totally sustainable enterprise, returning all waste and byproducts to it. Kaua`i’s organic farmers appreciate the Garden Island for its unusually healthy soil and do what they can to sustain it.

The perception of organic farming is that it’s labor intensive, expensive, and not capable of producing large quantities. While there are elements of truth in the aforementioned, the age-old growing methods are being supplemented with modern technology, bringing these foods to a growing consumer base. Still, our local organic farmers are small and somewhat vulnerable, often relying on a single crop for their livelihood. Hard work, a quality product, and a strong connection to the community have served Aimee very well to this point in the genesis of North Shore Organics. Like any good business owner, she is always looking for ways to diversify her base and build upon a successful brand name. Feel free to call the farm at 808-651-7273, or visit the website, www.northshoreorganics.com.

Agriculture is the lifeblood of this island and the Kaua`i County Farm Bureau is a staunch supporter of all our farmers. We import over 90% of our food and it is vital for us to buy locally because the only way to reduce our reliance on others is to Grow Kaua`i.

This space and message is sponsored by the Kaua`i County Farm Bureau.

INTERNATIONAL COURT INDICTS DOW & MONSANTO

For over three decades, Dow and Monsanto have denied that Agent Orange is toxic, thereby avoiding billions of dollars in financial liabilities resulting from the massive and indiscriminate spraying of the toxic defoliant during the Vietnam War. In a landmark lawsuit last month, a Seoul, Korea High Court ruled against Monsanto and Dow in favor of Korean veterans who fought in the Vietnam War and have suffered serious health injuries from Agent Orange.

The court ruled there is ample evidence that Monsanto and Dow knew how toxic Agent Orange was before the corporations dumped 19 million gallons of the now banned herbicide on Vietnam between 1965 and 1972. The court said there is conclusive scientific data connecting Agent Orange with 11 types of medical conditions, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, prostate cancer and diabetes.

Empowered by the successful lawsuit, Korean and Vietnamese veterans will rally outside the White House in April, calling on the U.S. government to assist in efforts to pay the victims of Agent Orange compensation for medical costs associated with exposure to the herbicide. -OCA, Bytes #76

Andy's Organics-Farewell by Andrew Sarhanis

After 25 years of complete body, mind and soulful organic agriculture, I have just sold my farmstead and business. Janelle Honer and Stephen Shaffer of, Josanna’s Organics, are the new owners and can be reached at 640-2157.

I was born in the veggie patch with a highly inquisitive intellect and soul. Through experience, I have amassed a huge body of wisdom and knowledge in the all encompassing field of agriculture, worthy of a couple of PhD’s.

After a year of rest with my daughter Ula, I am continuing in the fields of organic ag as a consultant, teacher, writer, and culinary instigator. I will be dividing my year in migration between Hawaii and Ashland, Oregon.

I want to thank all of my friends and associates in the whole Hawaii agricultural community for all your support and patience. It has been my good fortune in having such wonderful folks to do business with. My ceaseless passion for the healthful zest of the Zingerberaceae family; yellow ginger, turmeric, galangal, and all the crops I have grown, will never wane. I bid you adieu.

Aloha and Mahalo, Andrew Sarhanis (808) 557-5178 andysorganic@hotmail.com

p.s. We surely had the best barefoot, heel-kickin’ parties in the old days on Andy’s Farm

Cost-Share Assistance for Certification Fees!

Are you thinking about getting your organic operation certified? There is cost-share assistance money still available from the Department of Agriculture.

If you are a Hawaii organic producer or handler who received your organic certification from a USDA accredited certifying agent between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2008, you are eligible for 75% reimbursement cost-share assistance up to a maximum of $500.00

Grants will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis, based on postmarked date or date received, whichever is earlier.

In cooperation with USDA, the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Development Division will be distributing this grant. Call (808) 973-9595 for an application form, or download this form at the DOA website: www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/forms.htm go to Agricultural Development Division, Market Development Branch and click on “Application for Cost-Share Assistance under the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program”.

Don’t wait until it is too late! Call HOFA for details on the organic certification process or to take out an application packet.

Eating Veggies Repairs Cell Damage

A new study published in the journal, Nature, indicates that eating certain vegetables can repair damaged DNA. Previous studies have found nutrients that can help prevent cancer, but this research shows that certain vegetables can actually reverse cell damage that has already occurred. Laboratory tests revealed that a compound called indole-3-carinol (I3C), found in broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, can increase two specific protein levels that repair damaged DNA. "It is now clear that the function of crucial cancer genes can be influenced by compounds in the things we eat," said Eliot M. Rosen, MD, PhD. Learn more: www.organicconsumers.org/foodsafety/cancer021206.cfm

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA)
P.O. Box 6863, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 969-7789 Toll Free: (877) 674-4632 Fax: (808) 969-7759
Email: hofa@hawaiiorganicfarmers.org
Copyright 2002