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

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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

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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

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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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New website offers “local seeds for local needs”

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KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—December 7, 2017—Small-scale farmers and home gardeners in Hawai‘i now have an additional option for purchasing locally produced seeds.

The Hawai‘i Seed Growers Network (HSGN), a statewide group of seed producers organized and supported by The Kohala Center’s Hawai‘i Public Seed Initiative program, officially launched its online store on December 4. Customers can pre-order 2018 seed varieties at hawaiiseedgrowersnetwork.com/shop, with orders shipping in late December. HSGN currently offers locally adapted, selectively bred seeds including beans, flowers, fruits, greens, herbs, and peppers.

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GoFarm Hawai‘i seeks aspiring Hawai‘i Island farmers

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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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Two programs set to train new Hawai‘i Island farmers

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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

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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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Educational programs train new farmers and introduce high school students to careers in sustainable agriculture

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KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—September 24, 2015—Two programs aimed at training and supporting the next generation of farmers in Hawai‘i are seeking applicants for sessions being offered this fall.
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Educational program trains new farmers and provides on-farm mentorship opportunities

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KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—November 3, 2014—A program aimed at beginning farmers and ranchers on Hawai‘i Island is seeking applicants for an upcoming classroom and on-farm mentorship initiative beginning in November.

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Educational programs train new farmers and introduce youth to agricultural careers

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KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—September 8, 2014—Two programs aimed at introducing high school students and aspiring farmers on Hawai‘i Island to agricultural careers are seeking applicants for upcoming cohorts in October.
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