Project Overview
Hawaii has a unique set of needs for new farmers and farmer training. Extreme isolation,
lack of Winter kill, high input and land costs, and counties separated by the ocean make viable
farming a challenge for any farmer here. The dominance of plantation agriculture, now largely
gone, has resulted in concentrated land ownership and a lack of family farms and the knowledge and supporting systems that normally accompany them.
Thus, there exists a great need to create new farmers for Hawaii with a comprehensive
approach that capitalizes on the current interest in farming and develops them from the ground up--with fundamental science-based knowledge, hands-on experience, and marketing and business management skills for the real world. One that serves every county of Hawaii and innovatively fosters the confidence necessary for those trained to commit to becoming entrepreneurial commercial farmers. One that supports their transition into independent farmers with resources, networks, and business and production consulting.
GoFarm Hawaii is doing it, having grown to five locations in all four counties and, most
importantly, efficiently converting over 57% of participants (most of whom began with no farming experiences or connections) into new farmers who have started agricultural businesses.
Number of Participants: 793
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Individual Stories / Examples of Success