Gardens are thriving and growing at many Hawai‘i Island schools, and many hands are needed! School Garden Volunteers are very important to the overall success of our island programs whether it is guiding children during garden time or helping to maintain the garden in other ways, volunteers help teachers use garden based learning to teach valuable lessons in science, nutrition, and environmental education. Hands on, experiential learning is an important way for children to learn. At this workshop we will discuss gardening basics as well as how to best support your local school garden.

o welcome our eight new FoodCorps Service Members/Garden Teachers, we will holo around Hawai'i Island visiting all our FoodCorps sites for 2013-2014:
- Honaunau Elementary
- Na'alehu Elementary
- Kua O Ka La PCS
- Mala'ai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School
- Kohala Elementary

Kū 'Āina Pā Fall Workshop - September 20-22, 2013 Cohort 2 will meet in Kona at Kawanui Farm, Ginger Hill Farm and Innovations PCS. Topics covered include: - Creating a Zero-Waste Program for your School - Seed Saving for School Gardens - Composting in School Gardens - Garden Based Nutrition - Hands on - Food […]

Bring your favorite dishes using only locally grown food for the 2nd Annual 100% LOCAL FOOD COOK OFF AND POTLUCK!!
Optional competition for best savory and sweet dish
Bring Seeds, Plant Cuttings and Bare Roots (Please Check for Fire Ants)
- Exchange and give away localized plant material (bringing not required)
- Hear a panel on Preparing & Preserving the Food We Grow
- Enter the Local Cook Off!
- Try new taste delights at the Local Food Potluck!
- Meet your neighbors, other gardeners and innovative thinkers.

Kohala Mountain Farm Pumpkin Patch School tours for the pumpkin patch are available in October by reservation. Open Saturdays and Sundays in October 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please contact Stacykohalamountainfarm@gmail.com for reservations.

Giant Pumpkin Contest Where:  Waimea Town Market at Parker School When: Saturday, October 5, 2013, 9:00 a.m. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.; Pumpkin Weigh In begins at 9:30 a.m. School gardens and community gardeners have been trying their hand at growing giant pumpkins. Join us to see how they did! Contact dmitts@kohalacenter.org for details.

STOP THE SPREAD OF LITTLE FIRE ANTS! Topics will include: Ants as Pests with Species of Concern, Pesticide Safety and Reading Labels, and Treatment Methods. Presented by the Hawai‘i Ant Lab at the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture.