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July 2014
“Eat Fruits & Vegetables” Workshop
Sunday, July 27, 2014 - Join Kaiser Permanente, the Hawai‘i Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (USDA SNAP), and The Kohala Center for cooking demonstrations, free recipe cards, and chances to win prizes! These special events to promote healthy eating will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 and Saturday, July 12 at the Hilo Farmers Market, and on Sunday, June 22 and Sunday, July 27 at the Maku‘u Farmers Market in Puna.
Find out more »September 2014
Rootstock Meet-up Oʻahu
September 3, 2014—An informal meetup for the local food production community. Each session focuses on a specific topic and features a panel Q&A, plus plenty of time for networking.
Find out more »The Food Basket: Informational Session
September 15, 2014—Sell your produce and feed those in need. Are you a farmer looking for new or additional ways to sell your produce? Come meet representatives from The Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island’s food bank. The Food Basket buys fresh produce directly from island farmers—find out how you can participate! To RSVP, please call 808-887-6411 or email dmitts@kohalacenter.org.
Find out more »October 2014
Food Industry Fundamentals Workshops (Waimea)
October 16, 2014–Get the edge on the local food marketplace! Join us for two in-depth workshops in Waimea:
Workshop #1: Food Product Development and Technology Essentials
This course will move from “farm to fork” to explore the many product development technologies that can be utilized for optimal quality and enhanced food safety. These include good agricultural practices (GAPs), cold chain management, product formulation options, thermal and non-thermal processing technologies, extended shelf-life packaging considerations, and best practices in distribution. Innovative technologies such as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), sous vide, cook chill, and high pressure processing will be discussed as well. You’ll learn current best practices in product development, and how to optimize product quality.
Workshop #2: Quality Assurance and Food Safety Principles
Farmers, processors, retailers and food service operators must have an understanding of the principles of food safety in order to minimize risk to the public. In this course, you’ll learn how to create a holistic food safety and quality system—including management commitment, facility infrastructure requirements, sanitation, pest control, personnel practices, training, microbiological testing, traceability and crisis management, food security, and HACCP. An overview of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and third-party food safety and quality certification programs will be provided."
Register online at http://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/ocet or click here to view the event flyer for more detail.
Find out more »Food Industry Fundamentals Workshops (Kailua-Kona)
October 17, 2014–Get the edge on the local food marketplace! Join us for two in-depth workshops in Kona:
Workshop #1: Food Product Development and Technology Essentials
This course will move from “farm to fork” to explore the many product development technologies that can be utilized for optimal quality and enhanced food safety. These include good agricultural practices (GAPs), cold chain management, product formulation options, thermal and non-thermal processing technologies, extended shelf-life packaging considerations, and best practices in distribution. Innovative technologies such as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), sous vide, cook chill, and high pressure processing will be discussed as well. You’ll learn current best practices in product development, and how to optimize product quality.
Workshop #2: Quality Assurance and Food Safety Principles
Farmers, processors, retailers and food service operators must have an understanding of the principles of food safety in order to minimize risk to the public. In this course, you’ll learn how to create a holistic food safety and quality system—including management commitment, facility infrastructure requirements, sanitation, pest control, personnel practices, training, microbiological testing, traceability and crisis management, food security, and HACCP. An overview of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and third-party food safety and quality certification programs will be provided."
Register online at http://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/ocet or click here to view the event flyer for more detail.
Find out more »November 2014
Little Fire Ant Awareness Meeting – Honoka‘a
November 15, 2014—The Little Fire Ant, an invasive species that threatens agriculture, homes, and native ecosystems, has recently been found in Honoka‘a. The venom dispensed by these aggressive ants can cause blindness in household pets and livestock, and can inflict painful, long-lasting stings on humans. Major infestations have been known to ruin homes and farms. We all have a vested interest in curtailing their further encroachment to other regions of the island and the state. Heather Forester, a Hawai‘i Ant Lab invasive ant support technician, will present an informational session covering biology and methods for control. For more information, email honokaaseedexchange@gmail.com.
Find out more »January 2015
Crop Insurance and Recordkeeping Workshop
January 26, 2015—AgriLogic Consulting, one of the largest developers of crop insurance programs for the USDA, will be conducting a FREE “Train the Trainer” Workshop to educate technical assistance providers and agricultural producers on crop insurance and recordkeeping. Agricultural community leaders such as co-op managers, loan specialists, rural developers, business planners, and market research specialists are especially encouraged to attend, but all agricultural producers who wish to learn more about insurance and recordkeeping are welcome.
Find out more »May 2015
Farm Record-keeping Workshop
May 12, 2015—Farmers frequently need records to obtain loans, file taxes, acquire organic certification, or track yields and profitability. Accurate records are a prerequisite for crop insurance and disaster assistance, can also aid farmers in making better decisions about which crops to grow, and help them operate their farms as businesses.
Find out more »Hawai‘i Island Meat Cooperative Producer Meeting—Hilo
May 17, 2015—Family ranchers on Hawai‘i Island will be able to access an additional slaughter option through a new mobile slaughter unit for cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs beginning in 2016. Funding from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has moved this project from concept to reality, as the unit has been ordered.
Find out more »June 2015
Hawai‘i Island Meat Cooperative Producer Meeting—Pāhala
June 14, 2015—Family ranchers on Hawai‘i Island will be able to access an additional slaughter option through a new mobile slaughter unit for cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs beginning in 2016. Funding from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has moved this project from concept to reality, as the unit has been ordered. Please attend one of these informational sessions to learn more about using the unit and becoming a member of this cooperative.
Find out more »