KALAHEO — A free workshop, “value-added innovation for Hawai‘i growers: making the family farm profitable” will be held at the National Tropical Botanical Garden educational facility in Kalaheo on March 27. The first 30 people to register will receive a
KALAHEO — A free workshop, “value-added innovation for Hawai‘i growers: making the family farm profitable” will be held at the National Tropical Botanical Garden educational facility in Kalaheo on March 27.
The first 30 people to register will receive a free preview copy of the new publication, “Adding Value to Locally Grown Crops in Hawai‘i: A Guide for Small Farm Enterprise Innovation.”
The workshop will be led by Craig Elevitch, an agroforestry educator whose most recent book, “Specialty Crops for Pacific Islands (2011),” provides insights into sustainable cultivation and processing techniques for local and export markets with an emphasis on production methods, post-harvesting processing and marketing.
Elevitch will be joined by Ken Love, a co-owner of Love Family Farms in Kona, which produces a range of value-added products including jams, jellies, dried fruits and coffee. Love is known as a passionate advocate for the innovative small farm, according to Elevitch.
Other specialist presenters will join the two leaders at the Kaua‘i workshop.
“Small farm enterprises are a crucial component of Hawai‘i’s agriculture as we attempt to meet the diversity of our food needs,” said Dr. Robert Paull, an expert in crop quality at the University of Hawai‘i, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, in a release. “These enterprises need to be sustainably managed and economically viable. Value-added practices are essential for increasing potential for small farm profitability.”
Competing with cheap imported agricultural goods, many Hawai‘i farms have a difficult time selling their products profitably as raw commodities, according to the release.
The workshop will show how Hawai‘i farm enterprises can differentiate their products to become more profitable.
The workshops will also give participants insights into a range of subjects such as profitable crops and varieties, price setting for different markets and developing processed products.
Participants will leave the workshop with an expanded understanding of adding value to all products and practices, while reducing risks and maximizing profits. Presentations at the workshop emphasize ways to focus efforts at minimal cost for maximum effect, approaches which control risk and resources for business planning, according to the press release.
Most family farms in Hawai‘i can only be economically sustainable if they harvest, process, package, transport, sell and provide services in ways which add value to their crops, according the agroforestry website.
Visit www.valueadded.info to register for the free workshop, or for more information. Interested people can also call (808) 756-9437 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
