Specialty Farmer Workshop
Friday, December 1, 2017
9 AM – 3 PM
Hilo Yacht Club
AGENDA
1. Aloha &Welcome: Sharon K. Hurd, Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA)Market Development Branch (9:00-9:15)
2. Planning Your Ag Business: Judi Mellon, Hawaii Small Business Development Center (9:15-10:30)
3. Marketing Your Ag Business: Judi Mellon, Hawaii Small Business Development Center (10:40-11:30)
Lunch Buffet: 11:30-12:15
4. Mo‘ Better Buy Local: Diane L. Ley and Glenn Sako, County of Hawai‘i Department of Research & Development (12:15-12:45)
5. Update on Humu‘ula Douglas fir Plantings and Introduction to “Production & Evaluation of Mid to Low Elevation Locally-grown Trees to Replace Imported Christmas Trees”: Aileen Yeh, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC) (12:45-1:15)
6. Forest Stewards Network: J.B. Friday, PhD Extension Forester, UH College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources (CTAHR) (1:15-1:45)
7. Navigating the Regulatory Waters to Bringing in New Germplasm to Spur New Industry in Hawaii: John McHugh, PhD HDOA Plant Industry Administrator (2:00-2:30)
8. Christmas Tree Origin Inspection Compliance and Certification Protocol (CTOICCP): Lance C. Sakaino, HDOA Plant Quarantine Specialist (2:30-2:45)
9. Open Microphone: Attendees Share Experience Growing Christmas trees or Other Crops (2:45-3:00)
Pau: 3:00
Funders:
State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA)
US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Marketing Service
About the ‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project: The ‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project involves importing and propagating seed and outplanting fir seedlings on Hawai‘i Island. Our goal is to show that Douglas fir is suitable for Hawai‘i production and to establish protocols and methods to create top quality Christmas trees that can compete with the imported trees in our local markets. This workshop will also include an introduction to the next phase of the project titled “Production & Evaluation of Mid to Low Elevation Locally-grown Trees to Replace Imported Christmas Trees” by Horticulturalist Aileen Yeh.
Why Are We Growing Local Christmas Trees?: According to HDOA, shipments of Christmas trees from the Pacific Northwest have been found to be widely infested with slugs and other pests. Once an invasive pest or disease becomes established in Hawai‘i, it may have a devastating impact on Hawai‘i agriculture. Providing Hawai‘i with locally grown Christmas trees will support import replacement and promote the “Buying Local, It Matters” message.
‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project Partners: HDOA; Aileen’s Nursery; Hawai‘i Forest Institute (HFI); Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL); Hawai‘i Agriculture Research Center(HARC); DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW); County of Hawai‘i Department of Research & Development; College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources (CTAHR); Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Kulani Correctional Facility, Hawaii Invasive Species Council; and USDA Forest Service.