Alumni News

The resilience of rural farmers is continually tested by weather, market forces, global economics – and now, a pandemic, too. Lori Yancura, an FCS professor and member of NIFA’s National Information Management and Support System’s Multistate Research Project NC-1171, is studying the needs and resilience of diverse, low-income mothers in rural areas, and she’s the subject of NIFA’s latest Researcher Spotlight.

Between the annual burning of grasslands and subsequent monsoon rains, the topsoil doesn’t stand a chance in many Pacific islands. Erosion not only depletes the soil, it washes sediment onto the surrounding reefs, killing live coral and fish species.

Hawai’i Public Radio’s “The Conversation” series recently hosted two special guests: Glenn Teves of Molokai Extension and Jay Bost of GoFarm.

The Conversation’s Community Growers Urge Residents To Plant Seeds “really resonated with our audience” and “received positive feedback during and after the show!” notes HPR.

What is a mushroom? Is it a fruit, or is it vegetable? Is it even a plant? During this pandemic, it’s more important than ever to create hands-on “classroom” activities that students can do from home. Look no further than Extension educators, who’ve been able to deliver on CTAHR’s Land Grant obligations by helping Oʻahu students cultivate oyster mushrooms.

For those of us who’ve heard of “aquaponics” but need a refresher, this soil-less approach to agriculture relies on fish tanks and fish poop to provide nutrients for your plants, while the plants and roots filter and clean the water for the fish. It’s a sustainable, closed system that can grow veggies (and fish) year round.How it works on a commercial scale is a whole different ballgame, but no worries, Anthony Mau will visit CTAHR virtually on December 21 @ 5:00 p.m.