Respect the land for future generations
E ho mai ka ‘ike mai luna mai e,
O na mea huna no’eau o na mele e,
E ho mai, e ho mai, e ho mai!
On October 28 to 30th, 2011, over 30 key stakeholders in the Korean Natural Farming movement gathered to collaboratively develop this document at the Natural Farming Statewide Planning session at Makapala Retreat Center, North Kohala, Hawai’i Island.
Our Vision and Mission
Taking care of the land, soil, and EARTH. Hawai’i will be the model. We serve food producers – backyard farmers and ourselves.
We focus on family farms, future farmers, and the conversion of traditional commercial farmers to adopt Natural Farming as a means to promote awareness of healthy, prosperous, and sustainable agriculture in the state of Hawai’i, the nation and the world.
We perpetuate respect and strengthen ourselves and communities through Natural Farming food production through community centered model gardens and farms because Natural Farming improves lives for all life.
Values & Guiding Principles
- Farming for prosperity with respect.
- Live the concept of Natural Farming.
- Improve life for all.
- Sustainability that addresses exponential growth with the context of finite resources – 59 minutes.
- Respect the land for future generations – Malama I Ka ‘Aina
- Interconnectedness – build community.
- Inclusive – Empowerment – Movement
- Humility.
A Natural Farming learning community through:
Training & Education – education and training, training of trainers, coaching mentorships, learning farms, natural farming clubs and groups.
Research & Demonstration – research, testing analysis, development of empirical data, demonstration projects.
Resource Development – fundraising (donations, fundraisers, private capital) and revenue/income generating activities and enterprises; partnership and network building.
Policy Development & Advocacy – NF policy development; organizing and advocacy, relationship building.
Trend Analysis
- Population growth both locally and globally
- Increasing demand forhealthier local foods – increased health and wellness awareness
- Increasing need for food safety
- Increasing oil costs that impact the cost of food.
- Agriculture lands are increasingly more expensive
- Increasing government regulations and oversight related to food safety – ie, need for governmental approval of methods
- Increasing youth issues that can potentially be addressed by Natural Farming
- Increasing use of technology in farming – opportunity to attract young farmers.
Strategic Goal 1 – Statewide Organizational Structure
Establish a statewide structure that is rooted in and supports natural farming actions at the local/ahupua’a and community levels and which is complementary to, coordinated with, and has distinct roles and functions from CGNF
- Collect further information and data to more effectively map the support gaps, needs, resources, and assets for the field of natural farming in Hawai’i.
- Identify functions, roles, and responsibilities for the statewide entity in carrying out identified core work and strategies.
- Identify structural options and develop/implement process for natural farming practitioners to provide input on options.
Champions: Jackie, Nona, Verlie Ann, Leslie, David
Strategic Goal 2 – Statewide Communication
Build on existing communication mechanisms that wre working well to enhance both internal and external communications.
- Natural Farming Hawai’i Monthly Meeting (currently attended by 50-75 monthly, and 200+ for special events): organize and conduct meetings in more places, community specific meetings.
- Website (naturalfarminghawaii.net): continue to increase support for the website through funding support, and content contribution (Q&A forum, videos, directory, etc.)
- Listserv (currently 200+ email addresses): grow and increase utilization of the listserv by broadening base of users.
- Other actions: Develop “brown paper” (ie, introduction to natural farming); develop newsletter, establish Q&A forum “stack overflow”, develop an online directory of suppliers, farmers, trainers.
Champions: Leslie, Drake, Joe, David V, Julius, Kim, Leanne, Nona
Strategic Goal 3 – Learning Centers
Establish a network of learning centers/ model farms across the state.
- Hawai’i FFAF Plan for Learning Center: Hawai’i FFAF is moving forward with establishing a community-based learning center with a cooperative for farmers that with help establish a model that can be used in other communities.
- A meeting between CGNF and HFFAF would help to ensure coordination and alignment between efforts.
- Identify and work with other players considering establishing “learning center/ model farms” to better organize and coordinate efforts.
- Increase exchanges between Korean Learning Centers and Hawai’i farmers (sister city relationship) to increase learning and understand best practices.
Champions: Leanne, Joe, Kim, Kim
Strategic Goal 4 – Research & Development
Support and conduct research and development activities needed to ensure the viability of natural farming in Hawai’i.
- Scientific & Empirical Economic Data: support and disseminate information from existing work that includes NRCS grant (more than 13 farms involved on all islands); labs approved to do analyses but need to adjust to fit Hawai’i’s needs; and research activities at various facilities (PBARC, UH-Hilo, UH-Manoa)
- Meet with ADSC regarding soil samples.
- Continues to track the 13+ farms to gather data to help with IMO approval for food safety.
- Develop templates for data collection and information needed and recruit and organize other farmers to help document practices.
Champions: Mike, Glen