Malama Kauai has provided Kauai farmer support for over 15 years, hosting a variety of programs, events, workshops, and grant programs. Our programs are designed in direct response to our farmers’ needs and interests based on our 2017 Kauai Farmer Survey and annual Kauai Farmer Focus Groups.
We also provide fiscal sponsorship and grant writing/management services for small farming groups on Kauai – such groups have included Moloaa Irrigation Cooperative, Kalalea Anahola Farmers Hui, and Waioli Valley Taro Hui.
Current Mālama Kaua‘i Programs & Resources for Farmers:
- Coming Soon-FEED Orchard Grants: grant program, providing funds for orchard expansion and a 2-day intensive orchard management workshop with Ken Love of HTFG
- New-FEED: Farmers Enhancing Equitable Distribution Grant Program: grant program, in partnership with the County of Kaua‘i, providing funds to Kaua‘i farmers and ranchers selling into local food access markets to expand production and fill market gaps
- PEEP: Poultry Egg Education Project – is a chicken egg production startup program for beginning farmers that provides education, startup supplies, and a built-in market for egg sales
- KauaiLocalFood.com Sales Channel – MK provides local aggregation and distribution services for residents as well as commercial accounts; providing marketing and distribution services for farmers
- Kauai Farm News e-newsletter – an email newsletter providing ]resources such as grants, educational programs, special events, and more for Kauai farmers
Other Kauai Farmer Support Resources:
- GoFarm Hawai‘i – GoFarm offers educational programs and free AgBusiness consulting with business planning, marketing, financial analysis, and other guidance.
- Small Business Development Center – Hawai‘i SBDC provides professional business advice, research and training to business owners and new entrepreneurs.
- CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service – CTAHR’s CES program providing science-based information and educational programs in agriculture, natural resources, and human resources. Services include individual consultations, soil testing, and sharing agricultural research.
- Kaua‘i County USDA Farm Service Agency – Provides a variety of farm programs, grants and loans including Organic Certification Reimbursement, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, and more.
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – Offers a variety of reimbursement programs for conservation-related projects on ag land, including agroforestry, irrigation improvements, & more.
- HDoA Agriculture, Aquaculture & Livestock Support Services –
Kaua‘i Food-Based Farming Associations:
- Hawaii Farmers Union United, Kauai Chapter
- Kauai Cattlemens Association
- Kauai Beekeepers Association
- Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association