Hawai‘i food producers and small businesses eligible for no-interest microloans

Waimea, Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i (February 23, 2021)—Food producers and small businesses in Hawai‘i seeking financial support now have a local ally to help them secure no-interest microloans through one of the world’s leading crowdfunding platforms.

The Kohala Center, an independent nonprofit organization based on Hawai‘i Island, was recently designated by Kiva as the regional Kiva Hub for the Hawaiian Islands.

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Full Calabash Fund launches to aid Hawai‘i’s struggling families and food producers

WAIMEA, Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i (November 10, 2020)—The Kohala Center today announced the launch of the Full Calabash Fund, a statewide effort to support vulnerable families and food producers most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Initially established with support from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Full Calabash Fund will provide grants to Hawaiʻi’s community-based organizations that provide food procured from local farmers, ranchers, and food producers to community members in need. The Fund is administered by The Kohala Center, an independent, community-based nonprofit organization based on Hawai‘i Island.

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Experiential spring intersession programs for high school students offer opportunities to engage with ‘āina

KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—February 20, 2018—The Kohala Center is offering two outdoor-education programs for Hawai‘i Island high school students during the public school spring intersession, March 19 through 23. Participants who successfully complete the weeklong programs are eligible to receive a $125 to $250 stipend in the form of a VISA gift card to commend their dedication to natural resource college, career, and community pathways.
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FoodCorps recruitment for 2018–2019 school year begins

KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—January 11, 2018—The national FoodCorps program is currently accepting applications from emerging food justice leaders for the 2018–2019 school year. Service member positions will be available on Hawai‘i Island, as well as in communities in 16 states in the continental U.S. and the District of Columbia.

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Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program seeks new farmers

KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—January 2, 2018—The Kohala Center will offer its eighth Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program starting on Saturday, January 13 in Honoka‘a. Hawai‘i Island residents interested in learning what it takes to be a successful farmer or rancher are encouraged to apply for the nine-month course.
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SBA Awards $5 Million in PRIME Grants to Help Emerging Micro-entrepreneurs Gain Access to Capital

September 7, 2017—Thirty-four community-based organizations across the United States that provide assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs are set to receive a combined $5 million in grants from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME). These organizations help low-income entrepreneurs gain access to capital to establish and expand their small businesses.
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GoFarm Hawai‘i seeks aspiring Hawai‘i Island farmers

KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—August 15, 2017—The Kohala Center will once again serve as the host site for the second Hawai‘i Island cohort of the state’s largest farmer training program.

GoFarm Hawai‘i @ The Kohala Center will offer students classroom instruction, tours of local farms, and hands-on experience in small-scale farming with support from UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). Sponsored in part by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Ulupono Initiative, Kamehameha Schools, and Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the program is divided into three phases starting with an AgCurious introductory informational session, followed by four AgXposure site visits. AgXposure participants may then apply to AgSchool, an intensive, hands-on, five-month farmer training program.

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FoodCorps recruitment begins

KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—January 18, 2017—The national FoodCorps program is currently accepting applications from emerging food justice leaders for the 2017–2018 school year. Service member positions are available on Hawai‘i Island and O‘ahu, as well as in communities in 16 states in the continental U.S. and the District of Columbia.
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Two programs set to train new Hawai‘i Island farmers

KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—January 3, 2017—New and aspiring farmers and ranchers on Hawai‘i Island can choose from two comprehensive courses being launched by The Kohala Center in early 2017.

In addition to its Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program, which has graduated more than 120 students since 2013, The Center will host the state’s largest farmer training program, GoFarm Hawai‘i, for the first time on Hawai‘i Island. More information about both programs is available online at kohalacenter.org/farmertraining.

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Hawai‘i farmers and food producers eligible for expanded microloan program

KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—October 18, 2016—A no-interest loan program originally created for Hawai‘i Island-based farmers and food producers is now available to qualified applicants throughout the Hawaiian Islands, The Kohala Center announced today.

Based on the success of the Hawai‘i Island Food Producers Fund, created by The Center in 2014 with support from the County of Hawai‘i, the new Hawai‘i Food Producers Fund is open to eligible applicants statewide. Expanded with additional support from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the new program seeks to increase local food production, reduce Hawai‘i’s dependence on imports, and strengthen the islands’ food-producing business sector through no-interest loans raised on Kiva, the world’s first and largest non-profit micro-lending website.
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