Posted on September 11, 2014. Tags: en young, hoolaha ka hus, supplemental nutrition assistance program, the food basket
MEDIA RELEASE The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s Food Bank, is connecting local farmers and local consumers to alleviate some of the barriers to nutrition and self-sustainability on Hawaii Island. Through collective buying power, The Food Basket will be able to leverage its existing distribution to bring a box of 8-12 pounds of produce to consumers […]
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Posted in Agriculture
Posted on September 8, 2014. Tags: ctahr, little fire ants, uh
Little fire ants, first found on O‘ahu about six months ago, are continuing to spread throughout the island. The ants are already well established on the Big Island and have been found but were controlled on Kaua‘i and Maui. Faculty and staff at the UHM’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and the Hawai‘i […]
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Posted in Agriculture
Posted on September 4, 2014. Tags: natural disaster area, usda
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Hawaii County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due damages and losses caused by wind, rain and flooding that occurred August 7-9, 2014. “Our hearts go out to those Hawaii farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,†said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
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Posted in Agriculture, Business, Ranching
Posted on September 4, 2014. Tags: livestock, usda
Producers who have suffered eligible disaster-related losses are encouraged to act to secure assistance by September 30, 2014, as congressionally mandated payment reductions will take place for producers who have not acted before that date. Livestock producers that have experienced grazing losses since October 2011 and may be eligible for benefits but have not yet […]
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Posted in Agriculture, Ranching
Posted on August 27, 2014. Tags: board of agriculture, scott enright, tropical storm iselle
MEDIA RELEASE The state Board of Agriculture has approved an emergency loan program for farmers across the state who are suffering from recent storm damage. “Our field surveys and reports from farmers indicate significant damage to not only crops, but to some facilities and farm infrastructure,†said Scott Enright, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of […]
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Posted in Agriculture
Posted on August 26, 2014. Tags: crop weather, usda
On the Big Island, damaged trees in the Puna district have continued to fall over in some areas affected by the past storm. Pastures in windward areas are greener than normal for this time of the year. Daily rainfall received around the island reduced the need for irrigation.
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Posted in Agriculture
Posted on July 1, 2014. Tags: Agriculture, farmer training, hawaii community college
MEDIA RELEASE Hawaii Community College has announced it will offer the popular “Business Plan Development Training for Farmers” course in Hilo and Pahoa. This 84-hour course provides a comprehensive program discussing agriculture business plan development and how to succeed as a farmer on Hawaii Island. The course encompasses 21 hands-on lectures and useful business planning […]
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Posted in Agriculture, Education
Posted on June 4, 2014. Tags: food basket, hawaii community college
At the start of the fall semester last year, a group of students in the Hawai‘i Community College Agriculture Program set an ambitious goal: donate 1,000 pounds of vegetables to the local Food Basket in Hilo.
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Posted in Agriculture, Featured, Volunteering
Posted on May 9, 2014. Tags: fresh fruit and vegetable program, glenna owens, kohala center
MEDIA RELEASE Island farmers and distributors can find out how to sell farm-fresh fruits and vegetables to local schools during upcoming free informational meetings with Glenna Owens, director of the School Food Services Branch of the Hawaii Department of Education. The USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides funding that enables eligible schools to […]
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Posted in Agriculture
Posted on May 6, 2014. Tags: industrial hemp, neil abercrombie
MEDIA RELEASE Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed Senate Bill 2175 (Act 56), a measure that allows the University of Hawaii (UH) College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) to establish a two-year industrial hemp remediation and biofuel crop research program. Act 56 authorizes the growth and cultivation of industrial hemp in accordance with requirements […]
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Posted in Agriculture
Posted on May 6, 2014. Tags: coffee berry borer beetle, mazie hirono, tulsi gabbard
MEDIA RELEASE Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $1 million to help combat the coffee berry borer that has been ravaging Hawaii Island coffee farms for almost four years. The funding will be distributed through the Integrated Pest Management (IMP) Program at USDA and be divided […]
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Posted in Agriculture
Posted on April 30, 2014. Tags: hawaii island school garden network
MEDIA RELEASE Online registration is now available for a weeklong series of educational events for school garden educators, teachers, and others passionate about improving student wellness, cognitive development, and engaging deeper learning. Taking place June 7–12 in Waimea, the four professional development events focus on the effectiveness of school gardens as an instructional strategy for […]
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Posted in Agriculture
Posted on April 22, 2014. Tags: ka‘u coffee festival 2014
MEDIA RELEASE The Ka‘u Coffee Festival offers new fun activities to its lineup of May 2-11. Now in its sixth year, the festival showcases its award-winning coffees and everything that makes the sprawling Ka‘u District so special — the rural area covers 922 square miles and encompasses the entire southern end of the Big Island. […]
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Posted in Agriculture
Posted on April 9, 2014. Tags: college of tropical agriculture and human resources, ka lei hano heritage award, kerek kurisu, thomas lumpkin
MEDIA RELEASE Dr. Thomas Lumpkin has been named Outstanding Alumnus for his work to reduce poverty and improve food security worldwide, and Big Island food industry executive Derek Kurisu will receive the Ka Lei Hano Heritage Award for advocacy on behalf of agricultural producers in post-sugar Hawaii by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College […]
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Posted in Agriculture