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Beneficial Microorganisms
Many farmers would like to use micro-organisms such as Rhizobia and Mycorrhizae to enhance crop growth. Some local vendors are importing inoculum and many mainland sources are available. If you do import inoculum from the mainland, please be aware that you must obtain an approval from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Contact Amy N. Takahashi, Microorganism Specialist, Plant Quarantine Branch, 1849 Auiki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819. Phone: (808) 832-0589. Fax: (808) 832-0584. Email: Amy.N.Takahashi@hawaii.gov
For more information on using beneficial microorganisms in agriculture, please see:
What is the most common pesticide violation found on organic farms by Hawai'i HDOA?
Actually, it's the same problem found for all farms: lack of Worker Protection training and signage. This is a serious, but simple problem for farmers to fix. Training in the Worker Protection Standard is required for any employees at a farm (with the immediate family being exempt: mother, father, wife, children, brother, sister). A specific poster must be displayed and records of training and application must be kept. Farmers who are unaware can learn about the requirements from the pesticides education program by contacting Mike Matsukawa, HDOA 793-9424.
Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry
This report examines recent economic research on the adoption of organic farming systems, organic production costs and returns, and market conditions to gain a better understanding of the organic supply squeeze and other emerging issues in this rapidly changing industry.
Report highlights include:
- More than two-thirds of U.S. consumers buy organic products at least occasionally.
- Growth of the U.S. organic livestock sector is constrained by the lack of organic feed grain supplies.
- The average retail prices of most organic fruits and vegetables are almost 30% more than those of conventional commodities.
- Organic producers face competition from producers interested in other niche markets, particularly "locally grown."
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 Hawai'i.
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 Hawai'i WSARE co-coordinators Dr. Ted Radovich (theodore@hawaii.edu) and Jari Sugano (suganoj@ctahr.hawaii.edu).
Mahalo nui loa to Kalae Akioka and Kukui Maunakea-Forth for their guidance with naming our newsletter.
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.
To continue receiving this newsletter, please confirm your interest by updating your profile/email address (see link below). If this publication has been valuable, please forward it to others. Send in your suggestions for what you want to read about in our articles. Tell us about your research needs.
Mahalo nui loa,
Jari Sugano and Dr. Ted Radovich
Sarah Moore, technician and editor
Eric Collier, Managing Editor
Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program
Cooperative Extension Service
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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