Providing science-based information to serve Hawaiʻi's Farming Community
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Sustainable & Organic Research &
Outreach News
News from Hawaiʻi's Researchers and Extension Professionals
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Integrated Pest Management against Chinese Rose Beetles for Cacao
Koon-Hui Wang1, Brent S. Sipes1, Amjad Ahmad2 and Jensen Uyeda2
Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences1, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences2, University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Hawaii represents a special niche for cacao (Theobroma cacao) production as the highest latitude in the world where cacao is grown commercially. Cacao fermentation in Hawai'i develops a unique chocolate flavor, producing high value cacao which is estimated at 2 to 4 times greater price than the other cacao traded in the world. Growing cacao in Hawai'i has its advantages, however, there are some pest that pose a huge stumbling block for cacao production in Hawai'i. The Chinese Rose Beetle can cause aggregate defoliation and is very destructive to young trees leading to death or the delay of fruiting. Researchers at the University of Hawai'i's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources have investigated multiple techniques to increase cacao production, from seedling cages to black mulch. This article investigates methods to reduce CRB damage to cacao seedlings.
Read full Article Article
FMI:Jensen Uyeda
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Akamai Cover Crop Mix: How to establish? Partial Cost Analysis and Its Benefits
Koon-Hui Wang1, Justin Mew1 and Joshua Silva2
Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences1, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences2, University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Cover cropping has long been recommended for soil health improvement. Among many types of cover cropping, perennial cover crops could offer further soil health benefits than short-term cover crops that require frequent soil tillage. In the tropical climates of Hawaiʻi, only few perennial cover crops can establish well, among which, perennial peanuts (Arachis pintoi) and ‘New Zealand’ white clover (Trifolium repens) are known to adapt to warmer climates. Researchers at the University of Hawai'i evaluated the use of white clover as a perennial ground cover in Hawaiʻi.
Read full Article Article
FMI: Joshua Silva
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One Native Plant at a Time: Nā Koa Manu Conservation/Skyline Conservation Initiative
Terri Dux
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
To those who believe one person alone cannot make a difference in the world have not met Joe. Although Joe is the first to give credit to the thousands of community volunteers and partnerships for the Pōhakuokalā Gulch Community Forest Restoration Project, it is Joe’s passion that is the heart of conservation. You can see his passion in his eyes as he points to the steep hillside of 200-year-old dead Eucalyptus globulus trees in Kula, Maui. Too heavy and expensive to remove from the steep terrain, Joe and his team have cut down thousands of leafless eucalyptus trees and placed the logs to terrace the mountainside, stabilizing the soil and nestling more than 20,000 native plants and trees in its place.
Read full article
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Hawaiʻi Residentsʻ Perception of Farming, Weekly Purchases & Willingness to Spend More for Local Products
Thao Le
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Mental health/well-being is not only an individual endeavor and responsibility, but also a social and collective synergy that contributes to the quality of life across our communities. The Seeds of Wellbeing project aims to sow appreciation, respect, and care for local agricultural (ag) producers via a social marketing campaign. Ag producers care for the community by providing food – but what about our community efforts to reciprocate and extend care for them in return? This is especially important, given the alarmingly high rates of depression and suicide in this profession (Peterson et al., 2020), including among Hawai‘i farmers (Le et al., 2022).
Read full article
FMI: Thao Le
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Publications & Programs
for sustainable and organic production systems
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New Program to Assist Hawai’i Growers Transitioning to Organic
The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is making significant investments over five years in Hawai’i to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. The program is still in it’s initiation/planning phase. Once fully in place, partnerships will provide mentoring services, technical assistance, community building, and organic workforce development. Over time, technical assistance resources will be made available to all candidate and existing organic farmers through the USDA and partner websites.
The partner organizations will:
• Connect transitioning farmers with mentors for at least one year after certification.
• Build paid mentoring networks to share practical insights and advice.
• Provide community building opportunities to include:
◦ Train-the-mentor support
◦ Technical assistance
◦ Workshops and field days covering topics including organic production practices, certification, conservation planning, business development (including navigating the supply chain), regulations, and marketing
• Help producers overcome technical, cultural, and financial shifts during and following certification.
• Engage educational and training institutions (including crop advisors and extension agents) on organic workforce training and education and future human capital planning.
An interactive map showing the organizations establishing the partnership network for transitioning and existing organic farmers in Hawai’i and across the continental U.S. can be found here: https://go.hawaii.edu/kth
New Videos Available from eOrganic
eOrganic is the Organic Agriculture Community of Practice (CoP) for the Extension Foundation (formerly eXtension). On the eOrganic YouTube channel you'll find videos and webinars on the science and practice of organic farming. All information is peer reviewed and checked for compliance with National Organic Program regulations.
Many of the recent postings focus on breeding vegetables for organic conditions, although soil health is also covered. A recently posted video provides a general overview of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) as a biological solution for the management of soilborne pests and pathogens in specialty crops. Viewers learn how the ASD approach proposed today was developed, the principles and main mechanisms involved in ASD pest and pathogen suppression, and how ASD is applied.
The link to the eOrganic YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/eorganic
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MOLOKAI NATIVE HAWAIIAN BEGINNING FARMER QUARTERLY – SPRING 2023
Growing Healthy Upland Taro
Glenn I. Teves
County Extension, University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Knowing the needs and wants of taro is important in maintaining the crop over many seasons and this starts by understanding your soil. Taking a soil sample 3-4 months before planting will allow for adjustments ahead of time so the amendments can melt into your soil and start to work its magic prior to planting.
There’s the cake and there’s the icing on the cake. The ‘cake’ are the primary nutrients required to grow a good crop including Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and others. This can come from many sources, and it can get very expensive
since most of it is shipped in. The use of mulch can play a very important role here, including compost teas. The icing can be important inputs such as worm castings, and microbes. The icing without the cake won’t work as well as having it all. You can have your cake with frosting and eat it too!
Read the full quarterly
FMI: Glenn Teves
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Growing Table Grapes in Subtropical Hawaii Using Organic Practices
by Gerry Herbert and Nancy Redfeather
Humans have been eating and cultivating grape varieties for thousands of years. Grapes have provided an essential food world-wide producing wine, juices, fresh and dried fruit, all with a high nutritional profile making it a super-food. Did you know that America is the “country of origin” of six of the eight Vitis species of wild grapes? Grapes were growing on the North American continent way before any people arrived. Wild varieties are found in all states except Alaska and Hawaii. Over the last hundred years some interest has been given to this rowdy and uncouth bunch of American species. While these grape varieties are not widely cultivated or commercialized as the vinifera varieties, they show potential for crossing with European grapes to make enjoyable juices, wines, table grapes, and raisins and deserve to be
recognized.
Read full article
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Non-Chemical Weed Management in Small Gardens
Pono Chung1, Josh Silva2, Amjad Ahmad2, Jensen Uyeda2, Christine Hanakawa3, Tina Lau2 and Jari Sugano1
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
¹Oahu County, 2Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, 3Department of Family and Consumer Sciences,
March 2023
Many gardeners avoid the use of glyphosate (broad spectrum herbicide) to manage weeds in backyard gardens. At the Urban Garden Center in Pearl City, Oahu, the use of thick layers of mulch is discouraged due to the buildup and breeding of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Alternative weed management strategies were evaluated to reduce weeds in raised beds and surrounding garden areas. This publication is based on an initial observational evaluation of common household products; no replicated studies were conducted.
Read full article
FMI: Jari Sugano
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Grants for Students in Organic
Future Organic Farmers gives $5,000 scholarships to college and vocational students training for careers in organic.
Future Organic Farmer grants are an investment in our future food system. The more beginning farmers who pursue organic, the more we increase organic acreage and feed our communities organic food. We hear from our Future Organic Farmer grantees that this scholarship helped them pursue organic and gave them the confidence to succeed.
Grant amount: $5,000
Eligibility Requirements: Future Organic Farmer must:
- Be enrolled in an educational program in the United States that will benefit their career in organic agriculture, including vocational training/certificate programs or two/four-year degrees
- Demonstrate financial need
- Demonstrate a strong interest and commitment to a career in organic agriculture
- Submit a final report at the end of the award year
Click here to apply
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SARE Fellows Program now accepting applications
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Fellows program provides an immersive educational experience for participants to enhance their understanding of sustainable agriculture through broad-based training and interpersonal interactions at unique agriculture operations nationwide. Participating Fellows build professional relationships, improve their teaching and technology transfer skills, and are better prepared to develop programs that meet the needs of their local agricultural communities. Applications must be submitted by May 8, 2023.
Program Expectations
- Long-distance travel (air and ground) will be required by participants of this program.
- Multiple overnight stays are required by participants of this program.
- Program activities may include intensive days that extend beyond working hours.
- Collaboration and travel in groups is required.
- Attendance at four national study tours from 2024 to 2025 is required.
- Fellows are expected to attend and lead an educational session at the NACAA Professional Improvement Conference in summer of 2026. Locations vary.
- SARE leadership and tour hosts will strive to accommodate specific requests to the best of our ability but may be limited by program resources.
Click here to apply
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Grant Assistance
Oahu Agriculture Conservation Association provides assistance with loan/grant applications to help you advance the next step of your business.
1. We provide one-to-one support in applying for grants and loans. We can assist with:
- Funding research
- Comprehensive grant writing/application development
- Review of grant applications prior to submission
- Connecting to lenders and more
Submit our intake form assistance.
2. We connect producers to help with:
• Conservation Practices
Manufacturing
• Branding and Marketing
• Composting
• Farm Loans
• Disaster Assistance
• Infrastructure
3. We host workshops that feature diverse partners with expertise in:
• Grant and Loan Programs
• Business and Strategic Planning
• Farm Planning
• Feasibility Assessments
• Conflict Resolution (often financial)
Click here for more information
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Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Divison (HIOSH) Safety & Health Workshop
Date: Friday, April 21, 2023
Time: 9:00am to 11:00noon
Location: Hawaii Preparatory Academy
65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road; Kamuela 96743
Location: Castle Lecture Hall
Click here to view the flyer
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Western Region Sustainable Agriculture and Education Program (WSARE)
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Research & Education 2024 Call for Pre-proposals
This program involves scientists, agricultural producers, and others using interdisciplinary approaches to advance sustainable agriculture at local and regional levels. With the collaboration of producers, projects must integrate rigorous research and education aiming to advance the three components of sustainable agriculture- environmental, economic, and social- and use innovative educational outreach to disseminate new knowledge to students, producers, and stakeholders. It is expected that outcomes of funded projects will result in quantifiable benefits for producers, increase the preservation of the natural resources upon which agriculture depends, and be documented in scholarly journals and disseminated through teaching and educational activities with students, producers, and other agricultural stakeholders.
Contact: Clayton Marlow, (406) 994-5161, cmarlow@montana.edu
Download CFP
Website
Farmer/Rancher Grant Program 2024 Call for Proposals
The Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant Program focuses on advancing on-farm sustainability solutions by funding innovative producer-driven research and outreach. With a Farmer/Rancher Grant, an agricultural producer serving as the main applicant and Principal Investigator (PI) works with a Technical Advisor (TA) to develop a project (1-3 years in scope) that conducts both research and outreach on a sustainable agriculture topic. With the support and guidance of the technical advisor, farmers and ranchers integrate research and education to conduct on-site experiments to address social, environmental, and economic aspects of agricultural sustainability.
Projects with 1-2 producers may apply for up to $25,000 and projects with 3 or more producers working together may apply for up to $29,900.
Contact: Cayley Eller, Program Manager, (406) 994-7349
Download CFP
Website
Grant Writing Tutorials & Webinars
Western SARE staff have developed a series of tutorials and webinars to assist as you prepare your proposal. Please take a moment to review which ones are appropriate for the grant program to which you're applying and view them prior to finalizing your proposal.
WSARE Grant Writing Tutorials & Webinars
Fresh Growth Podcast
We talk with Tangy and Matt Bates who operate Blue Creek Livestock in Delta Junction Alaska in Episode 6. Since the beginning, Blue Creek Cattle has been building soils and herds. Tangy and Matt talk about the opportunities and challenges of farming in Alaska. Cover crops and building their own butcher shop are only two of many topics discussed in this episode.
Listen to Podcast
For more information, please see: http://www.westernsare.org/ or contact Hawai'i WSARE co-coordinators Jensen Uyeda (juyeda@hawaii.edu) and Sharon Wages (smotomur@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 Hawaiʻi's farming community.
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Mahalo nui loa,
Eric Collier Education Specialist and Managing Editor
Amjad Ahmad, Kylie Tavares & Emilie Kirk Co-Reviewers
Sharon Wages & Jensen Uyeda WSARE Content Reviewers
Ted Radovich Editor-in-Chief
Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program
Cooperative Extension Service
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
On-line version of newsletter as well as archived issues available at:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/news/
Hawai‘i Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawai‘i without regard to race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran.
Eric Collier | Education Specialist, Social Media & Web Manager | colliere@hawaii.edu
Copyright ©2013 University of Hawai‘i - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Updated 4 Nov, 2021
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