{"id":134649,"date":"2021-01-31T08:00:32","date_gmt":"2021-01-31T18:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=134649"},"modified":"2021-03-31T17:06:37","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T03:06:37","slug":"2m-gift-develop-local-farmers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2021\/01\/31\/2m-gift-develop-local-farmers\/","title":{"rendered":"$2<abbr title=\"Million\">M<\/abbr> gift to develop local farmers, food supply"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><div class=\"responsive-video-wrap-post\"><figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe  id=\"_ytid_88111\"  width=\"676\" height=\"676\"  data-origwidth=\"676\" data-origheight=\"676\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6n4pqHkbeQs?enablejsapi=1&origin=https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu&rel=0&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=0&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&fs=1&playsinline=0&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1&disablekb=0&\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  no-lazyload\" title=\"$2M gift to develop local farmers, food supply\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agloan.com\/\">American <abbr title=\"Agriculture Credit\">AgCredit<\/abbr><\/a> (<abbr title=\"American Agriculture Credit\">AAC<\/abbr>) has pledged $2 million to support <a href=\"https:\/\/gofarmhawaii.org\/\"><abbr title=\"Go Farm\">GoFarm<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span><\/a>, one of the largest and most successful beginning farmer development programs in the nation. The University of <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa <a href=\"https:\/\/cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu\/\">College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources<\/a> (<abbr title=\"College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources\">CTAHR<\/abbr>) program provides business technical assistance, educational opportunities and access to a suite of resources designed to remove barriers to farming and agribusinesses. It also operates five beginning farmer training sites across four islands and an agricultural technician training program at the Waiawa Correctional Facility.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Food sustainability and economic diversification are key post-pandemic priorities for our state,&rdquo; <abbr title=\"University of Hawaii\">UH<\/abbr> President <strong>David Lassner<\/strong> said. &ldquo;Many of the <abbr>GoFarm<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> program\u2019s alumni have started independent businesses or secured jobs in the agricultural industry. This strategic philanthropic investment from <abbr>AAC<\/abbr> provides a major boost to our state\u2019s next generation of farmers and our agricultural community statewide.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/files.hawaii.gov\/dbedt\/op\/sustainability\/2018_hawaii_2050_measurment_update.pdf\"><span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> 2050 Sustainability Plan<\/a> has a goal of doubling local food production by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;<span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> imports about 85&#8211;90&#37; of its food, making it particularly vulnerable to disruptions in food supply,&rdquo; said <abbr>CTAHR<\/abbr> Dean <strong>Nicholas Comerford<\/strong>. &ldquo;Our <abbr>GoFarm<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> program addresses this by providing farmers with the tools they need to be successful, and expanding our local food supply&#8212;a necessity for our entire community.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2>National donors<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/manoa-ctahr-go-farm-hawaii-gift-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"person holding a plant and smiling\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-134662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/manoa-ctahr-go-farm-hawaii-gift-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/manoa-ctahr-go-farm-hawaii-gift-93x130.jpg 93w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/manoa-ctahr-go-farm-hawaii-gift.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The donation represents the combined contributions of <abbr>AAC<\/abbr> and <abbr>CoBank<\/abbr>, both members of the nationwide Farm Credit System.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are thrilled to be able to support the great work <abbr>GoFarm<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> has been doing for nearly 20 years,&rdquo; <abbr>AAC<\/abbr> President and <abbr title=\"Chief Executive Officer\">CEO<\/abbr> Curt Hudnutt said. &ldquo;American <abbr>AgCredit<\/abbr>\u2019s mission, to support all segments of agriculture, is so closely aligned to that of <abbr>GoFarm<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> and this commitment is just a perfect fit for us.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Everyone in American agriculture understands the need to grow and develop the next generation of farmers and ranchers,&rdquo; added Bill Davis, executive vice president of <abbr>CoBank<\/abbr>\u2019s Farm Credit Banking Group. &ldquo;It is absolutely critical for the industry and for the country as a whole. But for those who don\u2019t come from a farming background, it can be difficult to get started. <abbr>GoFarm<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> has a proven and successful model for engaging beginning farmers and, together with our partners at <abbr>AAC<\/abbr>, we are delighted to be a part of their continued success.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2>Diverse local support<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/manoa-ctahr-go-farm-hawaii-gift-miyaoka-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"two people holding up their harvest and smiling\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-134663\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/manoa-ctahr-go-farm-hawaii-gift-miyaoka-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/manoa-ctahr-go-farm-hawaii-gift-miyaoka-93x130.jpg 93w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/manoa-ctahr-go-farm-hawaii-gift-miyaoka.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><abbr>GoFarm<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Director <strong>Janel Yamamoto<\/strong> added, &ldquo;We are extremely grateful for American <abbr>AgCredit<\/abbr> and <abbr>CoBank<\/abbr>\u2019s support of our practical training program built around the real-world needs of tomorrow\u2019s farmers. With their support, and the support of other key partners, we can help experienced farmers looking to expand and needing assistance to develop a business plan or proposal, as well as people new to agriculture, wanting to learn the basics of farming.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <abbr>GoFarm<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> program is financially supported by competitive grants and private donations. Kamehameha Schools, the Ulupono Initiative, <abbr title=\"United States Department of Agriculture\">USDA<\/abbr> <abbr title=\"National Institute of Food and Agriculture\">NIFA<\/abbr> and the <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Department of Agriculture have been strong supporters of the program since its inception.<\/p>\n<p>Many additional organizations provide access to financial support, land, facilities, contribute labor\/time, resources and expertise to support program participants. Program supporters and collaborators include: <span aria-label=\"Kauai\">Kaua&#699;i<\/span> Community College; <abbr>UH<\/abbr> Maui College; Corteva Agriscience; <abbr>CTAHR<\/abbr> Cooperative Extension, <abbr>Hi!Ag<\/abbr> Consortium; <abbr>UH<\/abbr> Sea Grant; The Kohala Center; <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Department of Public Safety; City and County of Honolulu; County of <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>; <span aria-label=\"Kauai\">Kaua&#699;i<\/span> County Office of Economic Development; Farm Service Agency; Natural Resource Conservation Service; <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Tourism Authority; <span aria-label=\"Oahu\">O&#699;ahu<\/span> Resource Conservation &#38; Development Council; North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership; Farm Link <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>; Agricultural Leadership Foundation of <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>; <span aria-label=\"Hoola\">Ho&#699;ola<\/span> Veteran Services; Sustainable <span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span>; and the <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> <abbr title=\"Agricultural Tourism\">Agritourism<\/abbr> Association.<\/p>\n<p>This effort is an example of <abbr>UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s goal of <a href=\"https:\/\/manoa.hawaii.edu\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/manoa-2025-strategic-plan.pdf#page=28\">Building a Sustainable and Resilient Campus Environment: Within the Global Sustainability and Climate Resilience Movement<\/a> (<span class=\"small-text\"><abbr title=\"Portable Document Format\">PDF<\/abbr><\/span>), one of four goals identified in the <a href=\"https:\/\/manoa.hawaii.edu\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/manoa-2025-strategic-plan.pdf\">2015&#8211;25 Â鶹´«Ã½<\/a> (<span class=\"small-text\"><abbr title=\"Portable Document Format\">PDF<\/abbr><\/span>), updated in December 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The gift supports <abbr>GoFarm<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, one of the largest and most successful beginning farmer development programs in the nation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,12],"tags":[222,212,811,1314,1468,73,319,9,56],"class_list":["post-134649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","category-video","tag-agriculture","tag-college-of-tropical-agriculture-and-human-resilience","tag-gofarm-hawaii","tag-manoa-sustainability","tag-manoa-sustainable-and-resilient-campus-environment","tag-sustainability","tag-uh-foundation","tag-uh-manoa","tag-video-2","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134649","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134649"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134649\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":134682,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134649\/revisions\/134682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}