The Food Provider

Oct | Nov | Dec 2025

Bok Choy Open House Cultivates Community Learning and Local Food Self-Sufficiency

Daryl Bolosan, Jensen Uyeda, Richard Fisher, Audrey Wood, Thomas Kim, Julia

Avila, Jean Butel, Deanna Wong, Tina Lau, Kawika Koahou-Otto, and Jari Sugano

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience

On October 22, 2025, more than 50 community members gathered at the Urban Garden Center for a Bok Choy Open House focused on hands-on learning and local food self-sufficiency. This article highlights how the event helped participants strengthen their skills in hydroponics, pest management, fertilizer use, and selecting high-yield bok choy varieties suited to Hawaiʻi’s growing conditions.



Farmers and home gardeners observed practical demonstrations of raised beds and small-scale hydroponic systems, along with variety trials that can be replicated at home. Together, these lessons support stronger home food production and healthier eating across our islands.

Read “Bok Choy Open House Cultivates Community Learning and Local Food Self-Sufficiency” for the full story.

FMI: Jari Sugano

Should we eat insects in Hawai’i?

Pascal Aigbedion-Atalor

Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human

Resilience, University of Hawai’i at Manoa,

Could insects be the key to Hawaiʻi's food security future? As the islands continue to grapple with a heavy reliance on imported food and pursue greater self-sufficiency, an unconventional solution is gaining serious attention. While eating insects may seem novel to many Americans, more than two billion people worldwide already rely on them as a nutritious protein source.

For Hawaiʻi—with its unique blend of environmental consciousness, cultural diversity, and urgent need for sustainable food systems—entomophagy presents both compelling opportunities and complex challenges worth exploring.

Read “Should We Eat Insects in Hawaiʻi?” for the full article.

FMI: Dr. Pascal Aigbedion-Atalor

Molokaʻi food security growing with “Seed to Harvest”

Jennifer Hawkins, Patrick Williams, and Kyle E. Franks

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

Imagine harvesting 400 pounds of fresh vegetables from your own backyard—enough to feed your family and share with neighbors. For Molokaʻi residents, this isn’t just a dream; it’s the result of the “Seed to Harvest” program that’s transforming how island communities approach food security.

Now, as the program enters its next phase, participants are learning not just how to grow food, but how to turn their gardens into viable businesses.

Read “Molokaʻi Food Security Growing with ‘Seed to Harvest’” for the full article.

FMI: Jennifer Hawkins

Other CTAHR Publications & Programs

for sustainable and organic production systems 

CTAHR Publications

• Propagation of Plumeria via Cuttings 
• Changes in termite species distribution on Oahu, Hawai'i
• Hawaiian Breadfruit

Organic Corner + University of Hawai'i Organic Transition (UHOT)

The University of Hawai’i Helps Interested Farmers Transition to Organic

U.H.O.T. (University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Organic Transition Program) is a TOPP partner program dedicated to fostering organic workforce development, providing organic transfer and certification guidance, mentoring services, technical assistance, and community building in Hawaii. Learn more at UHOT.org 

The TOPP (Transition to Organic Partnership Program) is a 5-year collaborative partnership network covering six regions. The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program, in partnership with CCOF as the Western Region lead, Hawai’i Farmers Union United and Ma’o Farms to provide mentoring services, technical assistance, community building, and organic workforce development for transitioning and exciting organic farmers. 

Organic Corner

Organic Certification: The Basics

Organic certification provides assurance to consumers, retailers, and buyers that products marketed as certified organic meet the standards of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). Certification is conducted by USDA-accredited third-party agencies and is often essential for growers seeking access to organic markets, institutional buyers, and price premiums.

Producers with less than $5,000 in annual organic sales are exempt from certification requirements; however, they are encouraged to document compliance with NOP standards by filing an affidavit with a third-party certifier.

Certification Costs and Reimbursement

Certification costs vary by operation and certifier, but the Organic Certification Cost Share Program has been reinstated, allowing eligible producers to receive partial reimbursement of certification expenses. In Hawaiʻi, this program is managed through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and can significantly reduce the financial barrier to becoming certified organic.

Growers are encouraged to work directly with their local FSA office to confirm eligibility, application timelines, and allowable expenses, and to apply early as funding is limited and reimbursement is not guaranteed.

Getting Started with Certification

To begin the certification process, growers should contact a USDA-accredited certification agency operating in Hawaiʻi and request an application. The organic certification landscape continues to evolve, and industry consolidation has reduced the number of certifiers operating in the state.

Organic System Plan (OSP) Support

A central component of certification is the Organic System Plan (OSP), which documents how a farm meets NOP standards. Technical assistance with OSP development is available through University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension.

University of Hawaiʻi Organic Transitions (UHOT) Resources

Growers transitioning to or maintaining organic certification are encouraged to utilize resources available through University of Hawaiʻi Organic Transitions (UHOT). UHOT provides education, technical assistance, tools, and training to support producers at all stages of organic transition and certification.

More information is available at www.UHOT.org.

Table 1. List of USDA accredited third party certifiers operating in Hawaii. Compiled from: USDA National Organic Program List of certified USDA organic operations (https://organic.ams.usda.gov/Integrity/). Accessed 12/1/2025.

U.H.O.T. Podcast: Why Organic in Hawai'i?

U.H.O.T. Podcast explores why local producers choose certified organic production. Local producers hearing from local producers.

Listen to All Episodes

HFUU is looking for both interested farmer participants and for experienced mentors. It has been decided to roll out the program statewide and HFUU is seeking applicants from all islands! There has been a lot of interest in the program and we thought it would be best to roll things out as quickly as possible.

Please reach out to organictransitions@hfuu.org and we will get you an application! Once you are signed up as an interested farmer, the Project Coordinator will get you the application form. Once it has been returned, there will be an initial interview to learn more about your farming operation before being paired with a mentor to begin your journey to becoming an organic farming operation!

For New Farmers

Are You a Beginner Farmer?

According to article "Ask the Expert: A Q&A on USDA Beginning Farmers with Sarah Campbell", there is no age limit or age requirement to be considered a beginning farmer or rancher.

USDA defines a Beginner Farmer and Rancher as

• Anyone who has not operated a farm or ranch for more that 10 years, focusing experience rather than age.
• No operation size requirement, even if you are taking over a large operation
• You do not have to own land
• There are no restricted products

Read article for full details and learn how Hawai'i farms can take advantage of BFR resources.

Hawai'iʻs Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator

Jolene Lau

808-979-4585

USDA resources for beginning farmers and ranchers

Western Cover Crop Council

For the first time, farmers across the Western United States have access to a free, expert-validated decision-support tool that helps identify the best cover crop species for their unique conditions and goals. Developed by Sarah Light of the University of California Cooperative Extension and the Western Cover Crops Council, in partnership with the USDA and Precision Sustainable Agriculture, the tool guides growers from Alaska to Hawaii in selecting crops that build soil health, suppress weeds, reduce erosion, and support pollinators. Explore the interactive resource at westerncovercrops.org/decision-tools

As of December 2025, Dr. Ahmad Amjad and Joshua Silva of UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human resilience became our state representatives for the Western Cover Crop Council (WCCC). What is WCCC? WCCC is composed of members representing the Western SARE region and strives to facilitate communication and collaboration that promote the successful adoption and integration of cover cropping into agricultural systems across the Western United States.

Fund-a-Farmer Welfare Improvement Grants

Fact will fund 60 $3,500 Fund-a-Farmer grants for one of the following projects:

1. Improve the lives of their farm animals
2. Farmers pursuing animal welfare certification to one of their certifying agencies
3. Animal welfare certified farmers.

Workshop: Suicide prevention for farmers

Monday, January 12 • 4–6 p.m. (via Zoom)



Join UH CTAHR’s Seeds of Wellbeing project for a virtual workshop around recognizing signs of suicide, offering support, and responding with cultural sensitivity. Current Ag Peer Mentors as well as other farmers and agricultural workers are encouraged to attend.

Introduction to Beekeeping

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of beekeeping, emphasizing the essential role of bees in pollination, food security, and ecological sustainability. Students will gain practical experience in hive management, honey production, and pest control, while exploring the biological and ecological significance of honey bees. Key topics include bee anatomy, life cycles, and behavior. Through hands-on activities, students will learn to set up and manage hives, prevent swarming, perform hive inspections, and harvest honey, with a focus on sustainable agriculture. Course Number: AGR5320

Dates: Jan 16 - May 15 2026

Days: Fridays

Time: 9:00am to 120:00pm

Location: Leeward Community College

Course Fee: $100.00

Last Day to Register January 2, 2026

FYI & Events

UH Seed Lab hits milestone in replenishing seed stock

The Seed Lab has a new leader in manager Quynn Cytryn. She is beginning to ramp up production with the help of CTAHR agricultural technicians and staff at the College’s Urban Garden Center to restore seed stock to pre-pandemic levels. Read article from UH News

Coffee and Orchard Crops Webinar Series starting in January on Tuesdays at noon

• Jan. 27 (2 presentations) - 1) SPLAT/Verbenone repellent for bark beetles in Hawaii including CBB in coffee, and TNB in mac nut by Dr. Mark Wright of CTAHR; 2) CLR pesticide research update by Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng of CTAHR.

• Feb. 3 (2 presentations) - 1) Citrus tree planting and pruning by Noe Neumann of Lokoea Farms; 2) Asian Citrus Psyllid on Tahitian lime by Andrea Kawabata of CTAHR

• Feb. 10 - pending

• Feb. 17 (2 presentations) - 1) Improving coffee nutrition in Hawaii: Statewide assessment of soil fertility, leaf nutrients, and on-farm practices by Dr. Melissa Johnson of USDA-PBARC; 2) CLR fungicide field trial update by Luis Aristizabal.

• Mar. 3 - Overview of pesticide laws, key things in labels, and personal protective equipment (PPE) by Mark Dragich of CTAHR.

• Mar. 10 - pending

• Mar. 17 - pending

• Mar. 24 (2 presentations) - 1) Parasitic nematodes by Dr. Roxana Myers of USDA-PBARC; 2) About the USDA Germplasm Repository in Hilo by Ryan Domingo of USDA-PBARC.

• Mar. 31 (2 presentations) - 1) Fungal attackers of multiple crops/projects by Dr. Lisa Keith of USDA-PBARC; 2) Record keeping and tools by Dr. SongYi Paik of CTAHR.

• Apr. 7 - Current, common challenges that fruit growers experience and their solutions by Ken Love of the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers.

• Apr. 14 - Updates on HARC's coffee breeding program by Dr. Ming-Li Wang of HARC.



Only a single registration will be necessary to receive the series' Zoom link.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL)



Is seeking grant proposals statewide to build, strengthen, and enhance community capacity within native Hawaiian homestead communities. Community capacity building grants seek to help homestead lessee communities to carry out their community visions and plans.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE Monday, January 12, 2026, 2:00 PM, HST 

2026 Organic Seed Production Online Course

Course Overview

• 14 sessions over the course of six months that correspond to an assortment of technical, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of organic seed production
• The course will run from May 14th – November 12th, 2026 (with a summer break during the high season work in July).

Highlights

• Comprehensive peer-to-peer networking and collaborative learning opportunities
• Practical insights into seed as a sustainable livelihood and career path
• Personalized mentorship for professional and personal development in seed production for students located in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest TOPP regions (PNW: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming; SW: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah).

Requirements

• Active involvement in seed production
• Commitment to hands-on learning and professional growth
• Desire to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices

Practical Details

• Cost: Sliding scale from 50 USD to 500 USD
• Format: Online, with modules designed to complement on-farm training

Livestock Wala'au: Livestock Podcast



Livestock Wala'au podcast presented by the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. This podcast serves as a way for the livestock community to connect, talk story, and learn.

Listen to the Podcast



Western Region Sustainable Agriculture and Education Program (WSARE)

SARE is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute for Food and Agriculture that provides competitive grants and educational materials. Our grants programs are conducted cooperatively by farmers, ranchers, researchers, and ag professionals to advance farm and ranch systems that are profitable, environmentally sound, and good for communities.

The SARE grant program mission is to advance innovations that improve profitability, stewardship, and quality of life in American agriculture by investing in groundbreaking research and education. To achieve that, Western SARE believes that our programs must include the involvement of agricultural producers from inception to finish, and therefore we require producer involvement in the planning, design, implementation, and educational outreach of any funded project.

Western SARE Goals

• Promote good stewardship of the nation’s natural resources by providing site-specific, regional, and profitable sustainable farming and ranching methods that strengthen agricultural competitiveness; satisfy human food and fiber needs; maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of soil; conserve soil,

water, energy, natural resources, and fish and wildlife habitat; and maintain and improve the quality of surface and ground water.

• Enhance the quality of life of farmers and ranchers and ensure the viability of rural communities, for example, by increasing income and employment, especially profitable self-employment and innovative marketing opportunities in agricultural and rural communities.

• Protect the health and safety of those involved in food and farm systems by reducing, where feasible and practical, the use of toxic materials in agricultural production, and by optimizing on-farm resources and integrating, where appropriate, biological cycles 

and controls.

• Promote crop, livestock, and enterprise diversification.

• Examine the regional, economic, social, and environmental implications of adopting sustainable agriculture practices and systems.

This e-publication is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).



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

Theodor 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