.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

What's New

How to Join

Events
& Activities

Newsletter

Farm Apprentice Program

Merchandise

MarketPlace

Frequently Asked Questions

By-Laws

Email Us  

GMO Policy

Fluoride Policy

Main Page  

Site Design by Pendragon Enterprises

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association....
 

Rural Connections - The Voice of Hawaii's Organiculture December 2006 Volume 12, Issue 4 Rural Connections is published quarterly.

• John Jeavons : An Interview with Nancy Redfeather

• Certification Fee Update

• 2006 Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition

• 2006 HOFA Annual Membership Meeting Success! 

• Thanks to our 2006 Annual Meeting Donors

• Certified Organic Seed Sourcing Service: www.organicseedsourcing.com

• Hawaii Organic Farmers Marketplace

• Hawaii’s Organic Products Directory– 2007 

John Jeavons : An Interview with Nancy Redfeather Clear your calendars and save the date, John Jeavons is coming to Hawai’i Saturday, February 3, 2007 to give a one-day workshop: Grow Biointensive^® – Sustainable Mini-farming.

John’s sustainable solutions to growing food are positively infectious. After spending 3 days with him at his Waimea workshop in 1995 I decided to develop my own “mini-farm” and create a like model for the students at the Waldorf School in Kona. After working with his ideas for the past 11 years, I see the wisdom of this practical working model for the small family farm and all home gardens. It was John who inspired me to take up the work of variety trials, seed saving, using local sources for all my soil fertility building, and really pursuing the experimental work of the development of a mini-farm as one model for the future of Hawai’i agriculture. Community development plans all over Hawai’i Island are recognizing the need for not only more “sustainable farming systems,” but that future small farms, community, school and backyard gardens will form the core of Hawai’i’s return to local food security and food sovereignty.

As Michael Pollan (author of Botany of Desire and his new book The Omnivore’s Dilemma) wrote last week in the New York Times, responding to the inherent problems of industrial agriculture, “Local farmers and local food economies represent a pre-problem solution-elegant, low tech and redundant.” John not only presents such solutions for the local grower, but also provides the full picture from “growing soil” to the harvest of “income crops.”

John is known internationally as the leading researcher, developer, teacher, and consultant of organic small-scale food and production techniques utilizing Biointensive Culture. He is the author of the best selling text, How to Grow More Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops Than You Ever Thought Possible On Less Land Than You Can Imagine.

My copy now 11 years old, dirt stained, a bit rumpled and full of notes and underlined phrases, still serves as one of my best reference sources for all aspects of the mini-farm. The updated and revised 7th edition was just released in October 2006 and has new planting and harvesting procedures for each crop in the Master Charts.

John graduated from Yale and worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) before devoting the past 35 years to the development of Biointensive techniques worldwide. He is the recipient of many food and farming awards and his work is highlighted in documentary films and major publications.

I was fortunate to catch John at home in October just before he left for The Terra Madre Conference in Italy attended by 4,000 small, organic farmers from 150 countries. I had a conversation with him about his upcoming workshop and the future of food and farming in Hawai’i.

Nancy: John, how can Biointensive methods of farming and gardening actually help Hawai’i develop a local food system?

John: It is encouraging to know that Hawai’i was food self-sufficient until the 1930’s and even exported wheat/flour to the California Gold Rush. However, today, the state imports about 90% of its food. No one seems to know exactly how much. Most mainland supermarket chains located in Hawai’i import most or all of their fruits and vegetables.

Given the amount of farmland in Hawai’i, GROW BIOINTENSIVE^® sustainable Mini-Farming (GB), using local resources, has the capacity, if used properly, to grow all the food for Hawaiian residents and tourists, and to export. In a period of Peak Oil, Peak Soil, Peak Water and Global Warming events, this capacity is especially important for food security and social vitality.

GB Farming makes the return to local food production more possible because this approach has the capacity to produce:

*up to 2-6 times the yield per unit of area per unit of time compared with standard practices, and makes possible:

*up to a 67% to 88% reduction in water per pound of food produced,

*up to a 50% to 100% reduction in purchased nutrient in organic fertilizer form,

*up to a 94% to 99% less energy in all forms,

*increased soil fertility up to 100% and more, greatly reduced start up expenses, and

*farmable soil build up to 60 times faster than occurs in Nature.

To work well, conserve resources and build soil, GB must be done as a whole system. Otherwise, it can deplete the soil due to its productivity.

Nancy: Can the GB system be used by everyone, farmers and gardeners alike?

John: GB can be used for all types of crops by small and large growers, backyard gardeners and those interested in starting a garden. China grew all of its food sustainably for thousands of years nationwide on a very large scale with millions of small farms. A thousand years ago the Mayan civilization also thrived with biologically intensive farming while nearby cultures disappeared. GB draws on these experiences in proposing a return to Biointensive farming. Thirty-five years of research, development and teaching have systematized the understanding of these ancient practices. The focus of GB on the growing of compost crops (which can also produce calories to eat) for sustainable soil fertility is similar to traditional Hawaiian farming. Hundreds of years ago, there was a strong emphasis on sustainability and penalties for not farming in a way that nourished the soil and society.

Nancy: How can the small farm be profitable in Hawai’i when land is so expensive?

John: Once a farming soil is in good shape and a farmer is proficient in GB, it may be possible to grow up to $40,000 net and more on as little as 4,000 square feet of planted surface (about 1/10 of an acre including path space).

With Fee Simple land costing up to $100,000 an acre in some areas of Hawai’i this kind of effectiveness is important even though only 6% of the land in Hawai’i is available for sale on this basis. The other 94% of the land is owned by Federal, State, County, and large landowners (5,000 acres or more) including 365,000 acres owned by Kamehameha Schools who lease some of their land to farmers, typically for 35 years.

It is interesting to note that there are 5,500 farms in the state, and 3,300 of these are on the island of Hawai’i, with the average farm size of 5 acres. So you see there are many small farms here.

Nancy: What are some of the major reasons to consider the Biointensive system for growing food?

John: Because of its reliance on low-cost locally available resources, GB is not affected significantly by high shipping costs, which are rising every year, for off-island fertilizers, etc. Hawai’i is extremely vulnerable because of its oil dependence, needing to ship incoming food long distances – at least 2300 miles, and approximately a 3 day “food supply” in the state. What would happen if limited delivery of food should occur? There need to be more opportunities to learn gardening skills, especially since many people work 2 jobs to make ends meet and have little time to raise food. In addition, there are only a few seed companies in Hawai’i growing seed for the farmer or gardener. The University of Hawai’i Manoa does grow some vegetable seed, but many of the selections are hybrids that cannot be reproduced easily by gardeners, mini-farmers, and farmers. UH Manoa has also chosen to focus on genetic engineering of tropical crops instead of a program of variety trials and selection of fruit and vegetable seed that could actually help Hawai’i farmers and gardeners with open-pollinated varieties. However, it is exciting to know that one can grow most of the seed needed for the next year’s garden, mini-farm or farm, on only approximately 3% of the space you are now farming or gardening.

Nancy: What other factors could help Hawai’i achieve local food security?

John: Farmers markets are beginning to happen all over Hawai’i Island. But there are still no community gardens and very few school garden initiatives. It is important to have more farmers markets, community gardens and school gardens as they all encourage a return to local and Hawaii wide food security.

Most surprisingly, given Hawai’i’s long history of local food production, there are few home gardens producing family food. This can all change with highly productive, resource conserving GB gardens. It is possible to grow up to 300 pounds of vegetables and soft fruits in just one 100 square foot GB raised-bed growing area spending as little as an average of 15 minutes a day in the garden!

Nancy: Mahalo nui John for your mana’o. We are looking forward to your visit!

As of September 1, 2006, the cost for receiving multiple category certification under HOFA (such as crop and processing) will be charged at 50% of the Minimum Certification Fee plus highest gross sales category. Minimum Certification Fee is currently $375 (50%=$187.50). Inspections must occur simultaneously and additional travel fees may be charged as required by the inspector.

Out of Seventy one Kona coffee farmer entries into this year’s cupping competition, certified organic HOFA producers prove themselves once again at the 2006 Gevalia Kona Cupping Competition by winning first and second place!

First place was awarded to Pat Pearlman of Pearl Estate. Grown at 1900 foot elevation on nearly 2 acres in Honaunau, Pat’s attention and care for her land has paid off. Pearl Estate has been the finalist two times in the competition.

Second place was given to the 5-acre coffee farm, Pau Hana Estate, located at 2400 foot elevation in Captain Cook. Owners, Sandy Masterson and Carol Weaver, have proven their hard work and dedication are worth the effort.

Each entry undergoes an identical milling and roasting process at the official processor, Mountain Thunder. Judges of the contest spent six hours slurping spoonfuls of coffee, rolling it around in their mouths and spitting it in the brassy spittoons. Judges rank each entry according to fragrance, aroma, taste, nose, aftertaste and body. Green and roasted coffee samples are also considered in the evaluation process.

Congratulations and keep organics growing!

With over 100 people in attendance, Kauai’s Kilauea Community Center was packed with organic advocates and enthusiasts. Our featured speakers; Jerry Ornellas, Kamaui Aiona, Louisa Wooton, and Steve Frailey, captivated the audience with pertinent information about organic growing practices, appropriate land use, and creative marketing strategies.

Tables were set up outside the event to provide information on HOFA, GMO Free Kauai, Kauai County Farm Bureau, Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA), Growing Solutions, Inc. and Down To Earth Distributors.

Our annual silent auction received generous donations from around the State of Hawaii and generated nearly $2,000 in revenue. The money raised from the silent auction is slated to help increase educational efforts and raise awareness about organic food production.

HOFA welcomes Patti Valentine from Kauai as a new Board Director in 2007. Thank you to everyone who turned out to make this event a huge success and all the amazing donations we received to make it possible. A special thanks to Blossoming Lotus for preparing a delicious gourmet vegan spread.

Due to insufficient funding, HOFA was asked to help support the Certified Organic Seed Sourcing Service and keep it from extinction. We are proud to have contributed to the on-going success of this necessary tool to help keep organic producers in compliance with the National Organic Program. Supporting the Certified Organic Seed Sourcing Service ensures that it remains a free and useful tool for organic farmers and certifiers. This service is the premium tool to help growers and certification agents alike determine commercial availability of organic seeds.

How it works: The Organic Seed Sourcing Service was launched in the winter of 2005 to address one of the biggest challenges that organic growers face: finding organic seed, if they exist, for the crops they want to grow. The service accepts organic "wish lists" from growers and replies to them with a list of dealers that sell those requested seeds. In addition, if no organic seeds are available for an item on the list, they then provide detailed documentation to support the organic certification process. Also included is the contact information for all of the organic seed dealers searched. In the 2006 season, they fulfilled 678 seed sourcing requests.

The Goal: That number is expected to increase to over 4,500 this year, as the program will be heavily promoted through pay-per-click ads. Check out the service at http://www.savingourseed.org/pages/sourcing.htm

The goal is to be able to continue to offer this service at no charge to the grower.

We are Unique: If you are familiar with a similar service provided by OMRI, you will notice 2 primary distinctions. Their mission is to offer the most comprehensive results possible, therefore they are the only seed sourcing service to list every organic seed that they can find. They spend a lot of time researching and seeking out the seeds and sources. OMRI will only provide lists of seeds from dealers that seek them (OMRI) out and these dealers have paid for this listing. Another key difference, beginning in January of 2007, is that they will give organic seed dealers the opportunity to suggest varieties that are, in their opinion, equivalent to a variety a grower may search for that is not available organically.

For more information contact:

Saving Our Seed Project

Carolina Farm Stewardship As.

286 Dixie Hollow

Louisa, VA 23093

phone: (540) 894-8865

fax: (540) 894-8060

cell: (706) 614-1451

web: www.savingourseed.org e-mail: cricket@savingourseed.org

Now available on the HOFA website:

www.hawaiiorganicfarmers.org

Farmer and Gardener

BUY/SELL/SWAP

Do you have land for sale or to rent to an organic grower?

Equipment you no longer need?

Looking for something you have not been able to find?

ADVERTISE ON OUR WEBSITE!

The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation has recently awarded HOFA with the 2006-2007 Market Development Grant to design and publish Hawaii’s first Organic Products Directory. Our intention is to create an indispensable marketing tool for the organic community. Farmers, ranchers, and processors will have improved access to the tools they need and the markets available. Retailers will be able to find locally produced commodities and help stimulate economic growth in the State of Hawaii.

All businesses will be listed free of charge and will include contact information, products, and services available.

Part one: A listing of Hawaii’s organic producers including crops, honey, livestock, and value-added processed products.

Part two: All agricultural suppliers of organic production inputs in Hawaii; wholesale, retail, garden stores, etc.

Part three: Hawaii’s natural food and grocery retail stores that market organically produced agricultural crops and value-added products.

The Directory will also reference island by island farmer’s markets, organic seed suppliers, organic certification information and frequently asked questions.

In order to ensure the success and continuation of the Directory, we are offering affordable advertising spaces to promote higher recognition and allure to your company’s listing.

The first edition will be approximately 50 pages and 1000 copies will be distributed, upon request, nation-wide.

Please contact Kelly Lange at the HOFA office if you would like to receive an advertising order form, a sample of Directory pages, or more information.

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