Field trip for
Hawaii farmers

California practices can show
them what's new, the organizer says

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By Lyn Danninger
ldanninger@starbulletin.com

Hawaii's farmers could use some new ideas.

So Jim Hollyer wants them to go to California. The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources professor is organizing an information-seeking trip that will take Hawaii farmers to some of Northern California's most productive farming regions.

Hollyer organized the trip in conjunction with the college, The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and the state Department of Agriculture.

Hollyer said the idea is to expose farmers to new products, methods of production, and business and marketing ideas from some of the most progressive small farms and businesses in Northern California. Most of all, they need to meet with the farmers themselves.

"Ag is a tough business. There is a lot you have to do well so the idea is to expose them to the attributes of successful agro-entrepreneurs," he said.

Highlights of the trip include visits to a number of small but innovative farms, fresh-cut processing and cold storage facilities, large retail produce markets, major supply and equipment stores, a Napa Valley winery, large roadside produce stands, University of California-Kearney research station and the San Francisco wholesale market.

"When I travel I see lots of opportunities out there but they don't seem to make the jump across to Hawaii," Hollyer said.

While the college and others involved in the state's agriculture can present seminars and offer information, it's not the same as seeing some of the ideas up close, Hollyer said.

"When you are walking around someone's farm you get to see what it's really like," he said.

Moreover, areas from Napa and Fresno over to Salinas have attracted a lot of very innovative farmers from different areas of world, particularly Asia, in recent years. Because they are willing to experiment with all kinds of new products and farming ideas, it's these kind of people that Hollyer believes Hawaii farmers could learn much from.

Thanks to the phenomenal worldwide success of entities such as the Food TV Network and celebrity chefs, more new produce gains exposure every day. As exotic produce becomes known and accepted, that represents opportunities for Hawaii farmers, Hollyer said.

"I think there is a whole food movement," he said.

With food safety issues now on the front burner in many areas of the country, Hawaii's farmers also need to come up to speed with what will be mandated requirements for those wishing to sell their produce commercially, Hollyer said.

"You have no choice. It's the private sector saying we want you to tell us that the food coming off your farm is safe," he said.

Waimanalo farmer Dean Okimoto of Nalo Farms, who is about to start building his own food processing facility, wants to go on the tour to learn more about how such operations run in California.

While Okimoto has been growing cut salad greens for about 11 years, he wants to see how California processing facilities handle more than one product at a time. He's also on the lookout for any new product ideas.

For Maui farmer Eric Mitchell of Volcano Veggies, who farms onions and some salad greens, the trip to Northern California is also a must-do.

"It's one of those things that you can't not afford to experience," he said.

Mitchell believes the trip will help hone a competitive edge.

"You can see where Hawaii is going to head sooner than people who never leave," he said.

UH's Hollyer said the list of new kinds of produce constantly being introduced in California from all over the world is long, thanks to University of California researchers and farmers willing to try growing the new products.

Hollyer notes a specialty handbook on minor crops published by the University of California at Davis lists 80 new crops that have been introduced in recent years and are now being grown. Hollyer believes Hawaii farmers could successfully grow many of these new products.

"If it can grow in California, it's likely it can grow here," said Hollyer.

The deadline to hold a seat on the "Think out of the Field" tour is April 22. A $40 deposit is required.

The cost of the tour, including air fare, hotel and transportation will be approximately $1,000. For more information and a reservation form, call (808) 956-8336.