Farm tour
to California
set for June
Last June, about 20 local farmers explored a host of production, business and marketing ideas at some of California's most successful small farms.
The success of last year's trip led to an encore planned for this year, said Jim Hollyer, University of Hawaii professor at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
"One of the reasons we are doing it again is because people told us they got a lot of value out of it last year," Hollyer said.
The "Think out of the Field" tour is June 8-12. The cost is $1,000, which includes lodging, air fare and transportation, Hollyer said. The trip is being sponsored by the college, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and the state Department of Agriculture.
Hollyer describes this year's trip as "eclectic and educational."
"This year we are going to a lot more different types of places," he said.
On tap are tours to farms growing fruit and flowers, a tour of the University of California Davis and its swine facility, visits to retail distribution and marketing outlets, a look at several small farm production systems and talks with wine-, oil- and cheese-making families.
There will also be a tour of Copia, a museum and educational center built by winemaker Robert Mondavi and others dedicated to wine, food and the arts.
The tour has room for about 30 people, Hollyer said. Those interested need to contact organizers by tomorrow. For more information contact, Luisa Castro at 956-8336.