A Small Farmer's Perspectives on Scaling up Local Agriculture
A month ago I was a panelist at the screening of “Scaling Up: Hawai‘i’s Food Future”, where I was asked to share my perspectives on the commercial aspects of scaling up Hawaii's agricultural sector, in concert with the film, as well as the role of agriculture in sustainability and Native Hawaiian cultural vitalization. The following are key points discussed that I’d like to share with you!
In contrast to the film’s message, a small farm CAN make an impact on the economy and food system. In 2017 only 1 out of 4 farms in Hawaii generated sales of $25,000. We currently have 1/2 in acre in vegetable production. This year we are projected to generate $240,000 in gross sales (30% of these sales are from aggregated product).
The three main barriers I see for small farmers looking to scale up their operations are land, capital, and infrastructure. For us, land has been our largest barrier; we have raised capital and have been awarded several grants to help us with infrastructure and equipment. Opportunities have popped up in other areas on the island but I am dedicated to staying in Waimanalo, where I was born and raised and where there is one of the highest rates of food insecurity on the island. For the past 2 years I have spoken with landowners in Waimanalo and have been turned away or been offered short term leases asking for way over market price per acre. I have also pursued HDOA leases, which has turned out to be an arduous journey. Did you know the government only allocated 0.33% of the state budget to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for 2022? How do we increase food security, local food production, and help our farmers if we aren’t funding the agricultural sector?
The largest question of the evening was: How do we attract more people, especially our youth, to the agricultural industry? I disagree with the film’s message that the future of farming in Hawaii needs to be more automated, indoors, and out of the soil. Why did I come back to Hawaii to become a farmer after earning a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Rochester? I could've used my degree to pursue higher paying jobs on the mainland but instead, I returned to where I was born and raised to grow food fro my community. Initially I explained to people that Hawaii's lack of food security was the main reason I came home to farm. It wasn't until recently I dug deeper and realized there is a deeper meaning behind my return home. The 'aina is truly the reason that brought me home and the reason I have dedicated the rest of my life to cultivating and stewarding the land. Connecting with my culture has helped me discover my identity and sense of belonging in this world. The soil, our 'aina, is the reason why I am a farmer. Many centuries before colonization and industrialization, the Native Hawaiians, my ancestors, prioritized conservation, collective responsibility, and shared bounty. They treated the soil, the 'aina, as an extension of themselves and by doing so they were able to sustain a population of up to 1 million! Today, we import more than 85% of our food and many have lost our connection to the land. We must reconnect with the land to sustain our future generations. As an engineer I love science and appreciate technology but it is not the only solution to increasing our local food supply. I support the growth of aquaponics, hydroponics, and vertical farming but farming the land is equally, if not more, important. And don't get me wrong, Matt and I are always improving our systems or incorporating technology to make the labor less intensive and have our business remain sustainable (we don't want burn out!) But, we will never lose our connection to the soil.
We must focus on the "culture" in agriculture.
Pictured above: 30 middle school students from SEEQS (the School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability) harvesting carrots last week! These students had a blast working in the soil and they are evidence that the future generation IS interested in agriculture. Of course not everyone wants to work in the sun all day, but let's uplift those who do!
PS. I was never an outdoors kid. I lived 5 minutes from the beach in the backroads of Waimanalo but barely went outside and never appreciated where I was until I was an adult. I used to be afraid of all bugs and didn't like getting dirty. Look at where I am now! Don't be discouraged if your kids are glued to their phones. One day they might realize the 'aina is calling them back!