KeOlaMagazine.com | May-June 2018
Future Plans There are other 3rd Annual Farm Festival branches of the hub that are in the Hāmākua Harvestʻs 3rd Annual process of creation Farm Festival is a growing event including a fullthat draws from all corners of service nursery, Hawai‘i Island. Being the official selling local trees, kickoff for Honoka‘a Western vegetables starts, Week, the market brings in and plants, while about 45 vendors, musicians also creating and performers, educational income to support workshops, and a silent auction. the organization. There is something for everyone, In their effort to including the keiki who will enjoy utilize green waste, three times more activities at Hāmākua Harvest this year’s festival than at last is planning to year’s. Michael says, “We put a have a compost lot of focus on education during production facility. the festival.” The Farm Festival is A farm store will Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 8am be on the property to 3pm at Hāmākua Harvest. to support vendors even further and offer a haven of locally made goods to consumers. Local farmers and artisans will have a venue to sell and promote their products and build their business. Michael says, “Hāmākua Harvest will not only be self-sufficient from the standpoint of energy but with all the activities that go on here. For example, we take all the waste from the farmers’ market,
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landscape maintenance, the orchard, or anywhere there is organic waste and we turn it into compost. Then we sell compost by the bag at the nursery, or use it in the orchard or for the kidsʻ program.” As part of their expansion, Hāmākua Harvest will build a processing facility to help farmers with their value-added products. The licensed commercial kitchen will be used for washing and sorting produce to fermenting and flash freezing. This will provide local businesses with a processing facility at an attractive rate in their community. A learning center is also in the works and will be a place to learn both in the classroom and in the garden. It will be a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about farming, agriculture, and sustainability. There are also plans to have an affordable housing model that will inspire builders to be more sustainable, using local materials and renewable energy technology. Vision As stated by the board of Hāmākua Harvest, “Our vision is a thriving and resilient Hāmākua community where our rich agricultural heritage is honored and cultivated into a collaborative and sustainable future.” ■ For more information: hamakuaharvest.org