Creative agroforestry for food production in landscapes -- MAUI

The art of agroforestry is experiencing a renaissance in Hawai‘i due to our newfound passion for eating local food that is grown sustainably. Drawing upon the long traditions of agroforestry in the Pacific, a new workshop, “Creative Agroforestry for Food Production in Home, Farm, and Community Landscapes” will be presented on Maui June 12-13. The workshop brings together agroforestry expertise from around Hawai‘i to offer participants an introduction to best practices in agroforestry and enhance their skills in establishing and maintaining a custom-designed agroforestry landscape.

Uncle Sol Kahoʻohalahala will set the stage for the workshop by opening with a presentation about the cultural roots of Hawaiian agriculture. Dr. Harley Manner, a pioneer of agroforestry science in the Pacific Islands, will summarize his experiences of sustainable agricultural systems in the Pacific. Craig Elevitch of Agroforestry Net will present Pacific Island agroforestry landscapes as models for abundant, low-input food systems. Seth Raabe of Mahele Farm will discuss his experiences utilizing disturbance and local resources in tropical agroforestry. Natural methods for establishing and maintaining food-producing agroforestry landscapes will be presented by Tom Baldwin. How risks of 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, Ranae Ganske-Cerizo of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will explain federal assistance programs that can be used in association with planning and implementing agroforestry systems.

Field tours on the second day of the workshop will highlight production agroforestry on a working farm, pioneering and succession strategies, a diverse fruit orchard, and agroforestry regeneration of degraded land. The workshop is recommended for landscapers, nursery growers, agricultural professionals, farmers, ranchers, homeowners, agricultural extension, community planners, and community development organizers. The workshop is sponsored by Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and organized by Sustainable Living Institute of Maui in collaboration with Hawaii Homegrown Food Network.

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

Registration: Early registration is $75 by Saturday, June 6, and $100 thereafter. Please register early, as space is limited. Join us for an interactive and lively learning experience! A local vegetarian lunch will be provided on Friday, June 12.

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).

MAUI workshop agenda (subject to adjustments)

Friday 6/12/2015 Maui Community College 9:00 (sharp)-9:15 Michael Howden, PermacultureMaui Opening and welcome 9:15-9:45 Uncle Sol Kahoʻohalahala Cultural roots of Hawaiian agriculture 9:45-10:15 Harley Manner, University of Guam (retired) Sustainable agricultural systems in the Pacific Islands 10:15-10:45 Craig Elevitch, Agroforestry Net Reconnecting to Pacific Island agroforestry landscapes 10:45-11:00 --- Break 11-11:30 Hector Valenzuela, UH CTAHR Pest and disease prevention in agroforestry 11:30-12:00 Tom Baldwin, Uluwehi Farm Bountiful agroforestry landscapes using natural methods 12:00-1:00 --- Lunch by Carrie 1:00-1:30 Amjad Ahmad, UH CTAHR Local sources of soil fertility 1:30-2:00 Seth Raabe, manager, Mahele Farm Utilizing disturbance and local resources in tropical agroforestry 2:00-2:30 Craig Elevitch, Agroforestry Net Modern agroforestry practices for increased yields and lower risks 2:30-3:00 Ranae Ganske-Cerizo, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Agroforestry Assistance through USDA NRCS 3:00-3:10 Jenny Pell, Maui Permaculture Guild Permaculture visions 3:10-4:15 All Breakout Session with all presenters 4:15-4:30 Melanie Stephens Preparation for tomorrow’s field tours Saturday 6/13/2015 Field tours Bring sun/rain gear, brown bag lunch, snacks, drinking water, mosquito repellent 9:00 (sharp) Jayanti Nand Eat Me Orchard, Wailuku 10:00-10:45 --- Travel between Wailuku and Kula 11:00-12:00 Gerry Ross Kupa'a Farms, Kula 12-12:30 --- Lunch/Travel to Makawao 12:30-1:30 Tom Baldwin Ulua Palms, Makawao 1:30-1:45 --- Travel to Haiku 1:45-3:00 Francis Spalluto Haiku 'Aina Permaculture Initiative, Haiku

Sponsors

Hawai‘i Homegrown Food Network, USDA Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Eduction (WSARE), Sustainable Living Institute of Maui, University of Hawai'i Maui College, and Agroforestry Net. Programs and projects supported by Western SARE are equally open to all people.