Taste of the Hawaiian Range held its free Agricultural Festival on Saturday, September 7, in Waimea on Hawai‘i Island. This educational, family-geared event offered activities to illustrate the art and science of producing local food products.
CTAHR involvement included Eli Isele (TPSS), who gave a talk on grafting; JB Friday (NREM), who presented information on Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death; and educational booths by 4-H Country Clovers and East Hawaii Master Gardeners. Halina Zaleski (HNFAS) teamed up with the Hawaii Pork Industry Association, James Keach (TPSS) provided samples of poi made from new varieties of taro, and Kyle Caires (HNFAS) gave out samples of value-added beef jerky and pastrami made from cuts of beef from Mealani Research Station, as well as sharing his own pastrami recipe for home cooks (attached!).
Assisting in this event were Kiersten Akahoshi (Hawaiian Homelands), Susan Miyasaka (CTAHR HI County), Shannon Sand (NREM), Sarah Rehkamp (NREM), and Sharon Motomura Wages (TPSS).
Following the free Ag Fest was the 23rd evening Taste gala, at which guests “grazed” 20 culinary stations offering tasty entrees and desserts made from locally raised meats, fruits, and vegetables. A delicious time was had by all!