Grant Funds for Oahu Growers

If you have a farm, nursery, ranch, aquaculture operation, or any related agricultural industry, we have funds to help you grow your business! The O`ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council has grants up to $50,000 to help Oahu farmers this year.

WHAT: Grant funds support projects that strengthen and promote Oahu’s agricultural businesses and increase the capabilities of local farmers, ranchers and agricultural entrepreneurs (including aquaculture). Examples of projects funded in the past include:
• $6,000 to install fish tanks at aquaculture facility
• $35,000 to clear and prepare land for agricultural production
• $13,000 to upgrade an irrigation system for trees and crops
• $47,000 to purchase processing equipment to pack and distribute greens
• $21,000 to purchase and install a greenhouse for tomatoes and cucumbers

The Oahu Agricultural Development Program (OADP) will award grants of up to $50,000 to fund a portion of your project. Awardees are required to provide at least 20% of the cost of their project.

WHEN: Brief pre-proposals are due April 5, 2010. Selected applicants will be encouraged to submit full proposals. Awards will be announced by May 31, 2010.

WHERE: Projects must be located on the Island of O`ahu.

HOW: To apply, interested applicants must submit a 2-page pre-proposal, using our pre-proposal template. These two-page requests allow applicants to explain and “sell” their projects to the Steering Committee, which will select the most promising applicants to submit full proposals. Download the template from our website at www.oahurcd.org, or contact the Oahu RC&D at admin@oahurcd.org or (808) 483-8600 ext. 122 for pre-proposal templates or more information.

USDA EQUIP Program: Funding Opportunities for High Tunnels

There are possible funding opportunities for the purchase of high tunnels with the USDA EQIP program. For clarifications and questions please contact your local USDA NRCS office:

AIEA SERVICE CENTER
RL CUSHING BLDING, 99-193 AIEA HEIGHTS DR
AIEA, HI 96701
(808) 483-8600

The 2010-11 County R&D Solicitation for Supplemental Funding is now available online at: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/rd/sfa1011.html

The deadline is March 31, 2010. If you have any questions, please follow up with the specific program specialist for each area. Please note that if you have received funding from CPEP for your project, or from another program area, we will not be able to support the same project with tourism funds. Mahalo.

Thanks and have a Happy Mardi Gras!

Stephanie Donoho, CFEE
Tourism Specialist
Department of Research and Development
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street, Room 1301
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-8505 - phone
(808) 935-1205 - fax

Candidates for Dean of CTAHR Invited to UH Manoa for Public Presentations

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Contact: Avis Morigawara, (808) 956-8447 Posted: Jan. 27, 2010

Three candidates for the position of Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) will visit the UH Manoa campus from Feb. 17 to March 11, 2010, for meetings and individual public presentations. In addition to their Wednesday-Thursday visits to the Manoa campus, candidates will be touring CTAHR facilities on the Big Island (County of Hawai‘i) on respective Fridays.

The candidates and the dates they will visit UH Manoa are:

Manjit K. Misra from Iowa State University, visiting February 17-18. Misra is the Dean’s Chair of Distinction at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Director of the Seed Science Center, Director of the Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products, and Professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State.

Rolando A. Flores from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, visiting February 24-25. Flores is Professor and Department Head of Food Science and Technology, and Director of the Food Processing Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Michael E. Vayda from the University of Vermont, visiting March 10-11. Vayda is the Associate Dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Associate Director of the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station, and Professor of Plant Biology at the University of Vermont.

A public presentation by each candidate will be held at 4:15 p.m. on the first day (Wednesday) of each person’s visit in Spalding Hall Room 155. Each candidate will speak on the topic, “Opportunities for CTAHR in Meeting Hawai‘i’s Needs in the 21st Century,” followed by a question-and-answer period. Campus and community members, as well as the general public, are encouraged to attend.

“CTAHR continues to be a viable leader in agriculture and human resources, locally and globally, by steadfastly being committed to providing an excellent education for our students, supporting the diversification of our economy, protecting our environment, and strengthening our families and communities,” said Reed Dasenbrock, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UH Manoa. “The search committee did an excellent job in identifying these finalists for the dean’s position. I hope that the University community will take advantage of the opportunities to hear what these candidates have to offer. Input and comments from the campus and community is an important part of the process, as we make a recommendation to the Board of Regents later this spring.”

Andrew “Andy” Hashimoto, who has served as dean of CTAHR since 2000, announced that he would step down from his administrative position and return to the faculty on or before June 30.

For more information about the search process, including a list of the members of the search advisory committee and candidate biographies, see the search website at http://www.hawaii.edu/executivesearch/ctahr/. For more information about the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, please visit: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/.

Hawaii Ag Alliance: Next Meeting

Date: Friday, February 12, 2010

Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Place: UH Gilmore Hall Room 214.

This meeting's topic will be "Urban Agriculture/Gardening - Where Rural and Urban Collide". The purpose is for groups that are involved in urban ag to present their projects and explain how they define urban ag and its impacts on themselves and the individuals/groups they work with.

The following groups will be presenting:

Pearl City Urban Garden Center: www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc - University of Hawaii CTAHR extension services owned with programs in urban horticulture focusing on one stop educational
center concept for the public. Local school outreach programs and weekly gardening classes are available to gardeners. One of the largest collections of turfgrasses, ground covers, hedges, and citrus in the state occupy the site.

The Greenhouse: www.thegreenhouse.com - offering classes in sustainable living practices to children and adults with an emphasis on hands-on community learning. We offer classes in
gardening and composting, art from nature, recycle art, “green” urban living, and renewable energy. Classes are taught at The Green House and in schools. The Green House is
located in Nuuanu.

Institute for Human Services: www.ihshawaii.org - IHS provides respite for those who are unsheltered and solutions that transform the lives of homeless and at-risk people. IHS recently
installed a rooftop aquaponics garden on its Iwilei Women’s and Children’s Homeless Shelter as solution to help support feeding 300-400 people per day.

SOFT: Sustainable and Organic Farm Training-CTAHR:
www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/soft - SOFT is a student managed farm funded by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). SOFT was started in 2007. Our members include undergraduate and graduate students, UH Faculty, and community
members eager to learn about sustainable and organic farming practices.

Seating is limited so please sign up to save a seat at the
following link http://www.doodle.com/gzuegxfuw7nuww3q. We look forward to seeing everyone

Let’s talk: Organic Farming: Is it For You?

Date: Thursday February 18, 2010.

Time: 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Place: Mr. Oudom’s Farm, 56-664 Kam Hwy

Kahuku Ag Park, Oahu

Oudom’s cell phone is 284-3928 (for directions)

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and The Pacific Gateway Center invites you to attend an introduction to Organic Farming in Hawaii learn more about organic farming in Hawaii. Join us for a brief overview of basic production concepts and techniques as well as information on certification and marketing of organic products. In addition, there will be a short talk on food safety issues related to edible crop production systems.

Please RSVP, to Jari Sugano at 247-0421 x 107 (leave message with contact information) or Pacific Gateway Center at 851-7010

Introduction to Worker Protection Standards and Pesticide Label Comprehension

Date: Monday, February 22, 2010

Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Place: Khamphout Farms, Kunia

Agricultural operations that expose workers, employees, managers, etc to crop protection pesticides are required by law to comply with Worker Protection Standards (WPS). To minimize risks associated with pesticide exposure and usage, we will be holding several WPS workshops around Oahu in 2010 to protect the health and safety of workers and handlers on farms. The first workshop will be held at Khamphoute Farms in Kunia. Please bring yourself and farm employees to attend this important workshop conducted by Hawaii Department of Agriculture certified trainers.

Directions to Kamphout Farm: Take H1 west towards Waianae/ Waikele. Take the Kunia off ramp. Proceed up the road towards your left lane. You will pass Denny's, Wendy, Times and Walmart. Keep driving up the road. Pass the traffic @ Royal Kunia. Pass a pond and water pump on your RIGHT, then proceed to turn RIGHT into the white gate. If you pass the Hawaii Country Club, you have gone too far. Once you get into the gate keep driving straight following the road until you see the farm warehouse

Tackling Melon Fly Pests in a Simplified Manner

Two Dates and Locations:

Date: Monday, February 22, 2010

Time: 11:00 am till Noon

Place: Khamphoute Farms, Kunia (Directions above)

Date: Friday, February 26, 2010

Time: 3:00 pm- 4:00 pm

Place: Poamoho Research Station (Directions below)

This workshops is designed to remind growers about the simple 1,2,3 techniques for melon fly suppression. Brochures, handouts, and posters with color photographs which describe the different control strategies will be used in combination with field day activities. New cooperators with the fruit fly program will receive GF-120 protein bait and lures, limited supplies available.

DIRECTIONS TO POAMOHO STATION:

From Aiea Direction: H2 turns into Wilikina Drive which will turn into Kaukonahua Road (stay to left). Follow Kaukonahua Road, you will see a chain link fence and signs that will lead you to the field day site.

From North Shore: Take Kamehameha Highway / HI 83 towards Waialua. As you enter Haleiwa stay to the left and follow Joseph Leong Highway. At the top of the bridge, turn left onto Kamehameha Highway and follow the round about. Take the second exit on the round about towards Mokuleia. Follow that road until you see a blinking stop sign. Turn left and go up towards Kaukonahua Road. Follow this road until you see a chain link fence and signs that will lead you to the field day site.

Jari S.K. Sugano I Ag Extension Agent I Phone: 247-0421 X 107 I Fax: 247-1912

Kaneohe Extension Office I 45-260 Waikalua Road Suite 101 I Kaneohe, HI 96744

These educational activities are accessible for individuals with disabilities. For information or to request an auxiliary aid or service (e.g., sign language interpreter, designated parking, or materials in alternate format), contact Jari Sugano @ 247-0421 x 107 seven days before the training, activity, or event.