2025 Award of Excellence in Programming for a Team

1. Demonstrated High Impact

A. Issue and Situation: Hawai‘i is reliant on imported food for an estimated 85% of its food supply (Loke and Leung 2013), creating risks for the islands’ food security and community resilience. Policy goals and community initiatives call for increased production and consumption of local food, but as Hawai’i transitions from a focus on plantation-scale production of export crops to a more diversified agricultural system (La Croix and Mak 2021), training and support for farm businesses is in high demand. To address these challenges, GoFarm Hawai‘i (GFH) launched the Business Technical Assistance Program in 2003, providing local farmers with critical support to create sustainable and profitable businesses. Recognizing farmers’ struggles
with financial planning, marketing, and market access, GFH bridges these gaps through targeted training and personalized support, enabling farmers to build economically resilient operations. In 2013, GFH expanded its efforts, adding a Beginning Farmer Training Program as a field-based learning pathway to establish and grow farm enterprises. A phased approach at 5 sites combines classroom learning, hands-on fieldwork, and real-world application, with graduate access to incubator plots, equipment, and coaching to ensure long-term success.

B. Stakeholders & Input: GFH serves a diverse range of stakeholders, including current and aspiring farmers, local communities, agricultural service providers, policymakers, and nonprofits. During the program’s development, input was gathered through surveys, focus groups, and consultations to ensure it addressed the practical and cultural needs of Hawai‘i’s agricultural sector. Stakeholder input remains integral, informing the recent creation of added services which include assistance with land access, crop-specific management and revenue opportunities, and market readiness. Feedback and continuous refinement ensure that the program remains aligned with the evolving needs of its audience.

C. Impact Assessment: The program’s measurable impacts demonstrate its effectiveness. GFH has trained over 600 participants, resulting in nearly 300 established farm businesses. Our data shows that each year’s graduates will produce 1.8 million lbs of food in the first 5 years, enhancing local food security. 90% of GFH alumni continue to work in agriculture and the food system, producing diverse crops, creating jobs, and strengthening the agricultural economy. The mentorship-driven model fosters a collaborative farming community across the islands.

D. Innovative Approaches:

• Phased Curriculum: Integrates hands-on practice with classroom learning and real-world application, instilling the confidence and skills necessary to pursue farming as a career. Content is adapted to each site’s unique climate and soil, and combines wholesale production with individual participant responsibility for a 7-week CSA.
• Cultural Heritage Integration: Incorporates traditional Hawaiian agricultural crops and practices, helping to preserve Hawai‘i’s cultural heritage and food sovereignty and equipping farmers to meet local market demand.
• Tailored Support for Diverse Communities: Provides culturally relevant training through initiatives like the CTAHR Local and Immigrant Farmer Education (LIFE) Project to ensure inclusivity for immigrant farmers through language access (Thai, Mandarin, Ilocano). Participants include socially disadvantaged farmers, veterans, and Native Hawaiians.
• Economic Empowerment through Niche Markets: Offers agritourism and specialized courses like AgOrchard and AgriFloristry to help farmers explore diversified revenues.
• Capital Access: Offers $100K in grants annually to support fledgling businesses.
• Peer-Mentorship Model: Experienced farmers mentor new participants, fostering a supportive learning environment that builds confidence, practical skills, and community connections.

These approaches are innovative in method and scope, and address systemic barriers through a holistic, community-driven framework. GoFarm Hawai‘i exemplifies a responsive approach that not only strengthens local agriculture but also creates resilient farming communities.

2. Recognized Excellence:
GFH is recognized as a critical resource within the local agriculture and food system and is sought after for collaboration and to share expertise. Team members serve on external advisory groups for value-added production, agritourism, youth education, land access, and finance. GFH is a founding and convening member of the local AgTraining and Technical Assistance Network, facilitating over 35 local technical service providers to discuss stakeholder needs and potential collaboration.

The program’s success is evident in its diverse funding sources, including federal, state, county, and philanthropic support. Over the past decade, GFH has secured 87 grants totaling over $17 million to support the program and a $1.5 million grant pool to help farmers scale and improve efficiency. Collaborative partnerships and innovative program design highlight GFH’s leadership in agricultural extension.

Extension Focus & Research Base: GFH’s extension focus is providing comprehensive, experiential outreach education that integrates research-based knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. The research base for GFH includes decades of research on Hawai‘i’s soil types and characteristics, cropping methods, variety trials, and agro-ecological system design. GFH’s
curriculum incorporates readings and content from CTAHR, and researchers provide instruction that includes their latest project results on topics such as cover cropping and nutrient and pest management. GFH provides a link between the latest agricultural research and hands-on learning, so that researchers are addressing current production challenges, and participants are learning from the latest knowledge advancements. This approach not only optimizes teaching of practical skills for new farmers but also contributes to the broader agricultural knowledge base in Hawai‘i.

3. Demonstrated Scholarly Impact:
GFH has developed a robust library of resources, including curricula, educational manuals, resources, and digital tools. These materials have been shared with agricultural professionals locally and nationally (through the Farm Answers system and FIELD Network), extending the program’s influence beyond Hawai‘i. Online resources and virtual training modules ensure the program remains accessible to a wider audience, reflecting its adaptability and forward-thinking approach. The following reflect a sample of resources developed by GFH:

• Hawai‘i Agribusiness Guidebook: A guide for operating an agricultural business in Hawai‘i is made available on the GFH website.
• Canoe Crop Resources: Canoe crops are traditional Polynesian-introduced plants thathold cultural, agricultural, and nutritional significance in Hawaiʻi. GFH has scientific and academic information, indigenous knowledge and context, and cost-of-production resources on the GFH website.
• Upland Taro Cultivation Manual: developed to support participant education.
• Resource Library: developed to support participant education.
• Land Access: Local resources have been developed to address this particularly
  challenging issue for new farmers in Hawaiʻi. Resources, opportunities, and a land matching process are available on the GFH website.
• Farm Succession: Resources and services are being provided to address farm succession and transfer. Resources and process information is available on the GFH website.
• AgTraining and Technical Assistance Network: Information to navigate locally available technical assistance is available on the GFH website. This resource has been translated into multiple languages and distributed at outreach events.
• Community Edition: Tips and resources to help residents grow food at home is available on the GFH website.
• Social Media Outreach: GFH has an active and effective social media presence with over 10,300 followers.

4. Multidisciplinary & Collaborative Components:
The program integrates agronomists, economists, educators, community leaders, and agriculturalists to deliver a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum. CTAHR Extension Agents in Edible Crops contribute localized
knowledge and strategies to enhance production, while researchers and practitioners, both within and outside of CTAHR, provide instruction and insights. Local farm business owners and experts also participate in class sessions, offering advice based on their experiences and fostering professional connections for participants.

Strategic Alliances: Collaborations with organizations such as Hawai‘i Food Hub Hui, Feed the Hunger Fund, Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and American Farmland Trust enable access to resources in markets, land, capital, and production. The AgTA Network facilitates cross-sector collaboration to address systemic agricultural challenges, while partnerships with the American Farmland Trust, Hawai‘i Land Trust, and GFH Land Access Database help participants overcome the critical barrier of securing agricultural land. GFH also works with American AgCredit and the Regional Food Business Center to directly provide grant
capital to farm businesses.

Expanding Reach Through Partnerships: By collaborating with the CTAHR LIFE Project (with language access and culturally relevant training for immigrant farmers) and Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center, GFH broadens its impact beyond its core training program and fosters connections. Partnerships with researchers address practical challenges, such as variety trials and on-farm compost systems, while collaborations with institutions like Leeward Community College and UH-West Oahu support agricultural pathways and provide funded for-credit internships. Partnerships with private agricultural companies like Corteva and Mahi Pono enhance farm training sites and offer participants professional exposure.

Focus on Agritourism and Specialty Education: GFH collaborates with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Hawai‘i Agritourism Association to connect farmers with resources and insights into agritourism opportunities. Specialty courses, such as AgOrchard and AgriFloristry, provide tailored agribusiness education and mentorship, equipping farmers with the tools needed to expand revenue opportunities.

5. Diversity:
Committed to inclusivity, GFH actively seeks funding to support underrepresented groups, including Native Hawaiians, women, immigrants, socially disadvantaged, veterans, and beginning farmers. Tailored support ensures participants access resources, training, and mentorship, empowering them to overcome challenges. These efforts strengthen the social fabric of Hawai‘i’s agricultural sector while elevating diversity within the community. GFH has successfully managed or collaborated on Beginning Farmer Rancher, Socially Disadvantaged Farmer and Rancher, Rural Development, Alaska Native Native Hawaiian Serving, and Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veteran grants. In addition, the program provides training to staff, farmers, and local service providers on cultural awareness and sensitivity. GFH outreach efforts extend broadly throughout communities, with targeted initiatives designed to reach socially disadvantaged populations. Average underrepresented participant rate is close to 70%.

References:
Loke, M. & Leung, P. Hawaiʻi’s food consumption and supply sources: benchmark estimates and measurement issues. Agric. Food Econ. 1, 10 (2013)

La Croix, S. and Mak, J. Reviving agriculture to diversify Hawaii’s Economy. UHERO Brief. 1/21/2021.