Curriculum (Summer-Fall 2013)

The Kohala Center’s farmer-rancher training program combines classroom instruction in crop production, business management, and entrepreneurial skills, with additional hands-on learning on a training farm currently being established in Honoka‘a. The classes, delivered by a consortium of agricultural professionals from the University of Hawai‘i, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers, and private sector experts, will provide a basic understanding of the skills necessary to establish a commercial agricultural venture. The goal is for participants to develop a viable farm/business plan that will enable them to develop their farm and begin production. A farm/business plan is necessary to obtain a lease on available lands in the Hāmākua region, apply for a variety of funding opportunities, and establish the action steps required to begin farming.

The classroom component of the program will be conducted Friday evenings at the North Hawai‘i Education and Research Center in Honoka‘a. Hands-on learning will take place on Saturday mornings on the training farm being established on lands just makai of the post office in Honoka‘a.

The following is the content of Friday classes for the Summer-Fall 2013 session:

• Introduction to Commercial Farming
• Understanding Soils
• Building Soil Fertility
• Crops
• Pest Management, Insects and Disease
• Irrigation
• Crop Planning, Rotation and Diversification
• Personal Finance
• Introduction to Farm and Business Planning
• Introduction to Marketing Planning
• Agricultural Business Structure and Tax Issues
• Accounting
• Record Keeping
• Resources for Farmers and Ranchers

Hands-on learning will take place on Saturdays from August 3 to November 2 on the training farm site. There will also be opportunities for visits to regional farms on Saturdays to expose participants to a variety of farming/ranching methods and managerial styles.

In addition to providing basic information about commercial farming, Saturday instruction will cover a wide range of subjects, including:
• Compost making
• Green manure management
• Korean Natural Farming techniques
• Fertilizer use
• Soil testing
• Seeding and transplanting
• Biochar use and production
• Irrigation system design and installation
• Farm safety certification
• Farm machinery maintenance

Upon completion of the 18-week classroom and field education sessions, additional support will be provided to:
• Solidify the farm/business plan
• Assist in obtaining access to available lands
• Advise on building farm fertility
• Establish beginning marketing channels
• Search for possible funding sources

A limited number of internships working on established farms in locations between Hilo and Waimea will also be available. These highly recommended opportunities will enable participants to gain invaluable working experience with successful farmers to learn first-hand the day-to-day activities and managerial skills necessary to succeed as a commercial farmer. The internships require a serious commitment in terms of attendance and effort, but the lessons learned will be of great benefit to any beginning farmer or rancher. If interested in an internship, please inquire when applying to the program.