Planting Seeds of Hope: Growing the Next Generation Hoa ‘Aina O Makaha Farm in Makaha, O‘ahu July 7-8, 2011 Click here to see the photo gallery.

4th Annual Hawai‘i School Garden Conference will be held July 7-8, 2011, at the Hoa ‘Aina O Makaha Farm on the Waianae Coast, O‘ahu Conference Web site: https://kohalacenter.org/plantinghope/about.html   Applications and draft agenda for the Conference will be posted by March 15 on this page. Teams of two (2) from each school are recommended.

Clever gadgets, heart-tugging treasures, and great bargains will be among the finds offered during Waimea’s 3rd “Culinary and Garden Garage Sale”. Great finds donated to the garage sale include such clever gadgets as “a lawn shark” (a tool that looks like a serrated-edge pie cutter on a long handle for edging sod), a “garden weasel” (a miniature hand cultivator for working up soil), and a “hula hoe” (a tool that looks like rotating spurs on a long wooden handle, used to hand-till soil). Also included in the growing list of treasures are a wide array of cookbooks from the shelves of many of Waimea’s best cooks plus culinary collectibles such as a plantation-era sieve, beautiful serving platters, dishes and glassware, linens, and contemporary kitchen appliances and garden equipment. Sponsored by Slow Food Hawai‘i with kokua from the Waimea Homestead Farmers’ Market, the fundraiser will support the now seven-year-old Mala‘ai school garden, which has become a statewide model for hands-on, experiential learning focused on growing and sharing fresh, organic produce and, in the process, supporting student and community health, wellness, environmental and cultural stewardship and academic progress. Donations are still welcome. Please drop them off at Waimea Middle School’s office or call Slow Food Hawai‘i Leader Clare Bobo (936-6511) or Mala‘ai school garden Board member Jeanne Oshima (887-1027).

Practical Agriculture for Hamakua 2011 Supporting Sustainable Agriculture through Classes and Farm Tours Location: North Hawai‘i Education & Research Center, Honoka‘a  Dates: September-November 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. $10 per class; Senior & Student rate: $5 per class To register for classes or farm tours, contact Donna Mitts at 808-936-2117 Sponsored by Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation & Hawai‘i County […]

Compost/Worm Compost Workshop Two Locations! Date: Saturday, October 22, 2011, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Location: Waimea Country School, 10:00 a.m–Noon Location: Pa‘auilo School Cafeteria, 2-4pm Sponsored by Hawaii Rainbow Worms & Recycle Hawaii For more information or to register contact Donna Mitts at dmitts@kohalacenter.org or call 936-2117.

Please bring envelopes for gathering seed. Farmers and Gardeners please bring viable saved seed/roots/corm/cuttings of food crops that are labeled with variety name if known. For more information, please contact Diana Duff hokudi@aol.com.

Free Event
Bring your favorite dishes using only locally grown food for the 100% LOCAL FOOD COOK OFF AND POTLUCK!! Optional competition for best main dish, side dish, and desert—contact tracy@permaculture-hawaii.com for more information.
Bring seeds only (please no plants, cuttings, or keiki, etc).
• Exchange and give away localized seeds (bringing seeds not required)
• Hear a panel on "Growing Local Favorite Foods"
• Enjoy Hula performances or Dance to Marimba Music!
• Enter the Local Cook Off!
• Try new taste delights at the Local Food Potluck!
• Meet your neighbors, other gardeners, and innovative thinkers

Participants will be assisted in finding a grant opportunity to match their needs and begin the application process in class. Please bring a flash drive to save your work and a lunch. We will also be able to tour this state of the art facility with Ming Wei. “The Energy Lab at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy is the first of its kind in the world—a facility for students by students that will connect these young people and their schools, allowing them to collaborate and develop sustainable living.”

Learn the shocking truth about the unintended consequences of the “Age of Plastics”- how we got here, & what we must do to stop adding to the millions of tons of plastic choking the world’s oceans.

A Workshop for Sustainability Educators with Jamie Cloud, The Cloud Institute Date: January 10, 2012 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Location: Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Captain Cook No Cost for Educators and Administrators Sustainable Local Lunch to follow  The Cloud Institute: www.cloudinstitute.org  RSVP a must: dmitts@kohalacenter.org