Providing science-based information to serve Hawaii's Farming Community
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September | October | November 2009
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From the Field
Why Local Agricultural Products Cost So Much
By Dr. Linda J. Cox
A new CTAHR publication entitled A Comparison of Agricultural input Prices: Hawai‘i vs Its Major Export Competitors provides Hawai'i producers with some information about their costs relative to the cost of producers in other parts of the world. While this CTAHR publication focuses on the State’s export competitors, the information can also be used to understand the situation Hawai'i faces in reducing imports. This article highlights the cost information presented in this CTAHR publication and answers the frequently asked question “why do local agricultural products cost so much?”
READ the full article here.
FMI: Linda Cox, email: lcox@hawaii.edu
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Sustainable & Organic Research &
Outreach News
News from Hawai'i's Researchers and Extension
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Beneficial Use of Vermicompost in Aquaponic Vegetable Production
Bradley K. Fox, email: bradleyf@hawaii.edu, Clyde S. Tamaru, email: ctamaru@hawaii.edu, Ted Radovich, email: theodore@hawaii.edu, RuthEllen Klinger-Bowen, Kathy McGovern-Hopkins, Leina’ala Bright, Archana Pant, Ian Gurr, Jari Sugano, Brent Sipes, and C.N. Lee
Commercial aquaponic producers in Hawai'i need renewable micronutrient supplement strategies that decrease their reliance on synthetic imports. This article reports the results from several trials to determine the affect of aerated vermicompost tea on the nutrient deficiencies of aquaponic pak-choi, and the pH buffering capacity of seasoned aquaponic systems. Mature vermicompost was also added to seedling plugs to replace imported synthetic fertilizer. The results indicate that vermicompost produces results significant enough to indicate that it can replace synthetic fertilizer in a commercial operation.
READ the full article here.
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Worm castings stimulates germination of seedlings for aquaponics sytem
C.N. Lee, email: chinl@hawaii.edu, D. Chang, A. Poon, C. Tamaru, email: ctamaru@hawaii.edu, B. Fox, email: bradleyf@hawaii.edu, and T. Radovich, email: theodore@hawaii.edu
A series of trials was conducted to test the effect of small quantities of vermicompost on the growth of red amaranth, pak-choi, and Chinese mustard greens. Worm castings from cow manure, and worm castings from a vegetarian food source were compared with commercial organic compost and a control with no compost added. Results indicated that the various compost treatments enhanced germination and growth rates, with greatest response coming from the cow manure worm castings. For Oasis® cubes, using small quantities of compost in seedling production would shorten the time needed before transferring seedlings from the grow out phase by 7-10 days.
READ the full article here.
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Using Manures to Improve Sweet Corn Biomass and its Nutrient Content
Amjad Ahmad, email: alobady@hawaii.edu , Ali Fares, email: afares@hawaii.edu, Ted Radovich, email: theodore@hawaii.edu, and Nguyen Hue, email: nvhue@hawaii.edu
Animal manure and effluent can be used enhance soil fertility, crop productivity and quality, while at the same time minimizing animal waste disposal. This article presents research that found significant increases in sweet corn biomass production and nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) content in roots and shoots with applications of chicken or dairy manures, even at 600 lb/ac of total N. Chicken manure provided more N and better plant growth than dairy manure. The environmentally optimal rate of application appears to be about 300 lb/ac of total N.
READ the full READ the full article here here.
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Land Preservation in Hawai`i: A statewide workshop highlighting Conservation Easements and Land Preservation Tools
Jean Brokish, Oahu RC&D, email: jean.brokish@oahurcd.org
The O‘ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council hosted a statewide symposium at McCoy Pavilion in Honolulu on January 12 that brought together experts in the conservation and preservation fields. Information was provided on the legal aspects of conservation easements that allow for the perpetual protection of private property for farming, conservation, or cultural preservation purposes. A summary of federal, state and county funding sources available for land acquisition was also presented.
READ the full article here.
For more information about CTAHR's research, visit our Office of Research Webpage.
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Publications & Programs
for sustainable and organic production systems
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New from CTAHR
"Tea Time in the Tropics: A handbook for compost tea production and use" (edited by Theodore Radovich and Norman Arancon) is now available for $10 from the Sustainable and Organic Program. This 72-page booklet contains information on selecting high-quality compost, compost tea production, using compost tea to increase plant growth and quality, suppression of arthropod pests and diseases using compost teas, case studies from Master Brewers, and frequently asked questions. Contact Dr. Ted Radovich (theodore@hawaii.edu) to order a copy (checks payable to RCUH 02425). Limited supply available.
Available on-line from CTAHR's Publication and Information Central
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Organic Trade Association
USDA Certified Organic Production Survey
From December 2011 – April 2012, NASS will conduct the survey nationwide targeting farm operators known by NASS and USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to produce USDA organically certified crops and/or livestock. The information published as a result of the survey will be used by RMA to improve Federal crop insurance programs for organic crops, as required by the 2008 Farm Bill.
- http://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Organic_Production_Survey/
Cornell’s Organic IPM website: http://web.pppmb.cals.cornell.edu/resourceguide/
Pollinator Conservation on Organic Farms: http://www.xerces.org/organic-farms/
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Aloha to Tropical Fruit and Nut Growers!
Dr. Mark Nickum is CTAHR’s new Assistant Professor in Sustainable Fruit and Nut Crops. He is planning to host formal strategic planning sessions as well as informal meetings with growers and other industry stakeholders in the next few months.
Local Food Market Demand Study of O‘ahu Shoppers
Commissioned by Ulupono Initiative, "Local Food Market Demand Study of O‘ahu Shoppers" reveals that O‘ahu consumers are willing to pay more for local products, but often have trouble distinguishing what’s local and what’s imported. Six popular local products were evaluated: milk, eggs, bananas, tomatoes, lettuce and beef (rib-eye steak). A common reason for not buying local is the lack of consistency in finding local brands in the quantities desired.
- Local Food Market Demand Study of O‘ahu Shoppers - presentation (December 2011)
- Local Food Market Demand Study of O‘ahu Shoppers - Executive Summary (December 2011)
Growing for Market is a trade publication for local food producers with valuable information about the business of growing and selling vegetables, fruits, cut flowers, plants, herbs, and other food products.
The EcoAgriculture Partners Newsletter includes a number of interesting articles showing how growers can benefit financially from being good environmental stewards. Read about some examples below:
- Agribusiness Olam International Ltd. has partnered with Rainforest Alliance to offer the first “climate-friendly” cocoa.
- Ducks Unlimited, supported by a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant, initiated a project to compensate farmers and ranchers to refrain from converting pasture and grassland to crops.
- The Bay Bank, operating in the Chesapeake Bay region of the U.S., is providing Brook Trout Credits to farmers willing to preserve habitat.
- Payments for Ecosystem Services in Agricultural Landscapes
Start2Farm is a Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse for new and beginning farmers.
The Rain Follows The Forest on YouTube, also airs on my "Outside Hawaii" starting on January 22nd and KGMB on January 19th at 630pm.
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Western Region Sustainable Agriculture and Education Program (WSARE)
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Western SARE invites you to Save the Date
Strengthening Agriculture’s Infrastructure: Adding Value, Breaking Down Barriers, Increasing Profits
December 3 – 5, 2012, Portland Oregon
Topics to be included:
- Co-operatives and other producer partnerships
- Value-added food processing
- Local and regional marketing and distribution
- Barriers to regional supply chains
- Public sectors’ response to infrastructure gaps
- More TBA
For further updates and registration information, contact Stacie Clary, WSARE Communications Specialist, (831) 419-5432, stacie.wsare@charter.net.
Read about camelina's potential in the High Plains, a successful farmstay website, the message from our Director, and more in the winter issue of Simply Sustainable.
Bookmark WSARE’s new website at http://www.westernsare.org/
Since 1988, the WSARE program has been supporting agricultural profitability,
environmental integrity and community strength through grants that enable cutting-edge research and education to open windows on sustainability across the West, including Hawaii. The goals of WSARE are:
- Promote good stewardship of our natural resources.
- Enhance the quality of life of farmers and ranchers and ensure the viability of rural communities.
- Protect the health and safety of those involved in food and farm systems.
- Promote crop, livestock and enterprise diversification.
- Examine the regional, economic, social and environmental implications of adopting sustainable agriculture practices and systems.
For more information, please see: http://www.westernsare.org/ or contact Hawaii WSARE coordinator Dr. Ted Radovich at theodore@hawaii.edu.
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This e-publication has been prepared by CTAHR research scientists and extension staff to deliver science-based information about sustainable and organic production systems to serve Hawaii's farming community.
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Mahalo nui loa,
Eric Collier, Education Specialist and Managing Editor
Dr. Linda Cox and Dr. Ted Radovich
Jody Smith, e-Extension Manager
Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program
Cooperative Extension Service
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
The University of Hawai‘i is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
Jody Smith | Web Manager | smithjos@hawaii.edu
Copyright ©2013 University of Hawai‘i - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Updated 4 Nov, 2021
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