Creative agroforestry for food production in landscapes -- KONA, Hawai‘i

Agroforestry landscapes are models of productive, low input systems that have sustained people for centuries in Hawai'i. Farmers, homeowners, and communities are rediscovering the many benefits of agroforestry. This workshop offers participants an introduction to best practices in establishing and maintaining a working agroforestry landscape tailored to their needs. With a little knowledge and experience, the end result can be a landscape that provides high productivity, social & cultural values, and beauty, now and for generations to come. Join us for an interactive and lively learning experience! Please register early, as space is limited.

Workshop presentations combine traditional, modern, and local knowledge to enable participants to get started on their own systems, avoiding pitfalls. Craig Elevitch of Agroforestry Net will present Pacific Island agroforestry landscapes as models for abundant, low-input food systems. UH graduate student Natalie Kurashima will discuss the unique and highly productive traditional agricultural systems of Kona. Neil Logan of FARM Center will share his decade-long experience converting pasture land to a food forest, that also offers protection from trade winds. Natural methods for establishing and maintaining food-producing agroforestry landscapes will be presented by Tom Baldwin. Sara Moore, with extensive experience raising livestock, will share her experience integrating tree crops with animals. How risks for pests and diseases can be reduced in diverse agricultural systems will be presented by Dr. Hector Valenzuela of UH Manoa. Dr. Amjad Ahmad, also from UH Manoa, will present recent research about how locally available materials can enhance soil function, thereby replacing imported soil inputs. Finally, Laura Nelson of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will explain federal assistance programs that can be used in association with planning and implementing agroforestry systems.

Recommended participants: Everyone interested in sustainable food-producing landscapes: Farmers, ranchers, and homeowners, landscapers, agricultural professionals, foresters, agricultural extension, community planners, and everyone working with agriculture, urban beautification, conservation, and human nutrition.

Registration: Early registration is $75 by Saturday, June 13, and $100 thereafter. Please register early, as space is limited. Join us for an interactive and lively learning experience! A local vegetarian lunch by Kaya's will be provided on Saturday, June 20.

Participants will receive a copy of the new 320-page book Agroforestry Landscapes for Pacific Islands: Creating abundant and resilient food systems edited by Craig Elevitch, due in print July 2015 (a $60 value).

KONA workshop agenda (subject to adjustments)

Saturday 6/20/2015 Amy Greenwell Garden 9:00 (sharp)-9:15 All Opening pule and welcome 9:15-9:45 Natalie Kurashima, Department of Botany, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Traditional Hawaiian agriculture systems of Kona 9:45-10:15 Craig Elevitch, Agroforestry Net Reconnecting to Pacific Island agroforestry landscapes 10:15-10:45 Neil Logan, FARM Center From pasture to perennial food forest 10:45-11:00 --- Break 11:00-11:30 Amjad Ahmad, UH CTAHR Local sources of soil fertility 11:30-12:00 Tom Baldwin, Uluwehi Farm Bountiful agroforestry landscapes using natural methods 12:00-1:00 --- Vegetarian lunch by Kaya's 1:00-1:30 Hector Valenzuela, UH CTAHR Pest and disease prevention in agroforestry 1:30-2:00 Sara Moore, Livestock specialist with Farmworks Hawaii Integrating livestock with tree crops 2:00-2:30 Craig Elevitch, Agroforestry Net Modern agroforestry practices for increased yields and lower risks 2:30-3:00 Laura Nelson, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Agroforestry Assistance through USDA NRCS 3:00-4:15 All Breakout Session with all presenters 4:15-4:30 Craig Elevitch, Agroforestry Net Preparation for tomorrow’s field tours Sunday 6/21/2015 Field tours Bring sun/rain gear, brown bag lunch, snacks, drinking water, mosquito repellent 9:00 (sharp) All Meet at Amy Greenwell Garden 9:15-10:15 Bernard Matatumua-Vermeulen Traditional Pacific agroforest 10:15-10:45 --- Travel between Captain Cook and Keauhou 11:00-12:00 Angelica and Richard Stevens Native Hawaiian species in agroforestry 12:00-1:30 --- Lunch/Travel to Hawi 1:30-3:00 Neil Logan and Sophia Bowart Pioneering Pasture with Successional Agroforestry

Sponsors

Hawai‘i Homegrown Food Network, Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Eduction (WSARE), Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, and Agroforestry Net.