annual report 2018 · research station and included farm tours, farmer’s market, community...

2018Annual Report

O‘ahu Resource Conservation & Development Council

Cover Image:A field of kalo at University of Hawai‘i ’s Waimanalo Research Station.

Table of Contents O’ahu Resource Conservation& Development Council

1

Message from the Executive Director

About O‘ahu RC&D

2

Program Highlights

3-14

Financial Summary

15

Partners

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O‘ahu RC&D has been serving Hawaiʻi’s rural communities and farmers since 1997 through partnerships with community representatives to build leadership capacity and improve stewardship of natural resources.

Our programs focus on the social, economic and environmental nexus of sustainable agriculture and local food production, supporting healthy resilient communities. Jumping into 2019

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Above Image:Cacao producer learning about grafting at the O‘ahu workshop 2018.

1

2018 Board of Directors

Cindy GoldsteinTaylor KellermanMark Phillipson

Melissa Z. Rhoden Stephanie Whalen

Staff

Jean Brokish, Exec. DirectorNicole Correa, Office Mngr.Dave Elliott, Project Coord.

Frankie Koethe, Project Coord. Stephanie Mock, Program Mngr.

Kaelin Sylva, Kupu Intern

What’s O‘ahu RC&D’s key to success? I believe it is our ability to cultivate

connections with farmers and ranchers. Through site visits and listening to stories

of the land, our staff forges trusted relationships with people managing land

to produce food and agricultural products.

I’m especially grateful for the connections I’ve cultivated during my tenure with O‘ahu RC&D. In 2009, my primary

project responsibilities included working with farmers in the Waimānalo

Watershed. This past year, I had the honor of reconnecting with many of these

farmers like Shellee Machado (shown above). Talking stories about crops, keiki, and community over the years inspires

me and strengthens the foundation of our work.

The following pages feature projects of O‘ahu RC&D and the connections

created with farmers and ranchers that support Hawai‘i agriculture.

2

Cultivating Connection

O‘ahu RC&D’s Women Farmer Workshops provided hands-on training on production, marketing techniques, and fostered a network of women farmers and ranchers. Above, the attendees at the Kahuku Farms workshop enjoyed a farm tour with host Kylie Matsuda-Lum.

Provided hands-on training at 8 workshops

Awarded more than $130,000 to increase sustainable production of local food and to expand market opportunities

Provided conservation planning and monitoring assistance to 9,700 acres

Technical Assistance

On-Farm Training

On-farm Investments

Supporting Hawai‘i Farmers & Ranchers

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Planted 1,500 lbs of cover

crop seedand400

cacao seedlings

$130,000awarded directly to

farmers and ranchers

Hosted 8workshops and shared

information at 23 community events

137 volunteers donated 1,173 hours in total

Engaged with 265 farmers and ranchers

9,700+ acres were supported via technical assistance

Engaged with 2,300+ community members

13 conservation plans were developed

4

M A ʻ I L I ʻ I L I

The Maʻiliʻili, Waiāhole, and Ka‘alaea watershed restoration projects support community-wide adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to conserve water,

reduce soil erosion and restore watershed health, while supporting sustainable agriculture with a place-based management system.

“Hawaiʻi is at the forefront of sustainability, and local food production can shape our health and well-being.”

-Wai‘anae Community Member

$65,000 Invested in conservation practices forsustainable agriculture.

85 Tons of sediment prevented from entering the ocean.

Featured Outreach:Workshop: Rats, Slugs & Bugs – Integrated Pest Management

West O‘ahu Soil Water Conservation DistrictHawaii Farmers Union United Wai‘anae Chapter

Wai‘anae Neighborhood Board MeetingsWai Ma‘oli: Hawai‘i Fresh Water Initiative

Hawai‘i Conservation Conference

5

Watershed Restoration

Projects have been jointly funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, and the Hawai‘i State Department of Health, Clean WaterBranch. Additional funds are from a Supplemental Environmental Project settlement agreement between the City and County of Honolulu and the Clean Water Branch. Although theinformation herewith has been funded wholly or in part by a federal Grant to the Hawaii State Department of Health and the City and County of Honolulu, it may not necessarily reflectthe views of the Agency, the Hawaii State Department of Health, and the City and County of Honolulu, and no official endorsement should be inferred.

Featured Outreach: Workshop: Best of the Bunch – Banana Production Workshop

Windward Soil Water Conservation DistrictHawai‘i Farmers Union United Convention

Waiāhole – Waikāne Community Association

$78,000 Invested in conservation practices for sustainable agriculture.

229 Tons of sediment prevented from entering the ocean.

Featured Partners in Watershed Projects:

6

Watershed Restoration

WAIĀHOLE AND KA‘ALAEA

8

Parade of Farms

Mahalo to our community sponsors:

Parade of Farms – ‘Nalo Style was held at the Waimanalo Research Station and included farm tours, farmer’s market,

community exhibitor fair and keiki activities. Parade of Farms highlights the importance of local agriculture in building healthy

communities, local businesses and our local food system.

7

O‘ahu RC&D is conducting on-farm research to improve cacao orchard establishment. Project activities and workshops on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island engaged 46 farmers and other community members through: - Hands-on training with local experts- Planting and pruning demonstrations- Farm tours of established cacao orchards- Opportunities to discuss cacao with other growers.

8

On-Farm Research

Supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2016-38640-25383 through the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Also produced with funds from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture.

10

Investing in the Future

“This internship has provided me with an experience like no other… You get to meet leaders within our local agricultural community and learn alongside them.”

- Kaelin Sylva, KUPU Intern9

Mini-grants provided more than $6,000 in technical support towomen farmers across the state

This material is based upon work supported by USDA / NIFA under Award 2015-49200-24227, with additional support provided by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and Corteva Agriscience.

Workshops and mini-grants provided women farmers and ranchers financial resources and hands-on training to enhance women-owned agribusinesses. Strong

focuses were on value-added products, agritourism, and marketing in Maui, Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.

The Hawaiʻi Women Farmers Network was established in October 2018 as a space for women in agriculture across Hawaiʻi to connect, share ideas,

collaborate, explore, and create community.

96 women farmers and ranchers received hands-on training

2018 Kona Workshop Attendees

Women Farmers Network

10

2018 Maui Workshop Attendees in the field

61 conservation plans drafted with the assistance of our on-line conservation planning tool

Conservation Planning & Monitoring

Direct technical assistance provided on over 9,700 acres, representing 43% of active cropland on O‘ahu

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O‘ahu RC&D works one-on-one with farmers and ranchers to evaluate soil and water resources and recommend conservation practices that

support sustainable production of agricultural products.

$8,000,000 Estimated value of agricultural products produced on farms with conservation plans

developed by O‘ahu RC&DO‘ahu RC&D’s conservation planning and monitoring program is funded in part by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and the City and County of

Honolulu; in partnership with the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and made possible by Hawai‘i’s farmers and ranchers.

‘Tropic Sun’ Sunn Hemp

'Tropic Sun’ Sunn Hemp is a cover crop that is utilized throughout the islands as a low maintenance weed suppressant and to improve soil health. For many years O‘ahu RC&D has produced sunn hemp seed and made it available to farmers, ranchers, and gardeners.

On-farm trials led by O‘ahu RC&D used sunn hemp in combination with other cover crops, and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has utilized our ‘Tropic Sun’ sunn hemp for ongoing trials evaluating its ability to suppress nematodes and to boost soil fertility.

12

Growing Green

Mahalo to our cover crop partners!

Oʻahu RC&D serves as a fiscal sponsor to several organizations in Hawaiʻi with goals similar to our own. Providing fee-based

administrative support expands their capacity to provide services that benefit Oʻahu’s communities.

The Green House

The Green House educates children, adults, families, and communities to adopt sustainable living practices that build on traditional knowledge with respect for the ‘āina. Key programs include Eco Explorer Camp where school age kids explore gardening and sustainability, and Eco Hikers where keiki experience the outdoors by exploring our wonderful parks.

More information available at http://thegreenhousehawaii.com

O‘ahu RC&D has fiscally sponsored The Green House since 2011.

Other fiscally sponsored organizations include

Double D Farm & Ranch

Pop-Up Labs for STEAM

West O‘ahuSWCD

Mea Kanu Inc.

Fiscal Sponsorship

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http://thegreenhousehawaii.com/

Fiscal Sponsorship

Windward Zero Waste School Hui

Garbage to Gold! The Windward Zero Waste School Hui is a partnership of Windward O‘ahu schools working cooperatively in the pursuit of waste reduction, soil restoration, and applied environmental education. Everyday, students and staff collect all organic waste (food, paper, green waste) and compost it on site to create nutrient-rich soil amendments. The finished compost is applied to school gardens and any surplus is sold, generating funds for school garden programs.

More information available at

https://zerowasteschoolhui.org/

O’ahu RC&D has fiscally sponsored this program since 2014.

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https://zerowasteschoolhui.org/

Financial Summary

O‘ahu RC&D’s programs are supported by a diverse revenue stream comprised of multiple grants, fiscal client revenues, program service fees, and fundraising. Program-related expenses include personnel for both O‘ahu RC&D programs and fiscal clients, and contracts and awards given directly to farmers and ranchers to enhance environmental stewardship and expand business opportunities.

Fiscal Clients28%

Federal Grants

41%

Local Govt Grants

14%

Program Services

8%

Fundraising7%

Foundation Grants

2%

Fiscal Clients25%

Contracts & Awards

15%

Personnel48%

Other Program Costs

6%

General Management

6%

Total Revenue = $637,853

Total Expense = $642,285Unrestricted net assets = $126,000

Mānoa Botanicals LLC | Matson Inc. | Lyndsey and Bradford Whitcomb | Hartung Brothers Inc. Sustainer ($2,000+)

Protector ($1,000+)Kualoa Ranch Hawai‘i Inc | Island Palm Communities L.L.C. | David Morgan | Merck Foundation | Carolyn Eaton

Conserver ($500+)Stephanie Whalen | Bayer Crop Solutions | Mark Phillipson | Jason Akamine

FriendsTaylor Kellerman | Anthony Matchett | Townscape Inc. | Alan and Annabel Gottlieb | Cindy Goldstein | Takenaka Landscaping | Ag Tech Pacific | John McHugh | John Russell | Lisa Rhoden | Tin Roof Ranch | The Plant Place | SWCA incorporated | Nutrien Ag Solutions | Mulkern Landscaping | S. Thornton | Gail Kuba | Ken Kajihara | Sarah Halpern

Mahalo to our supporters!

O‘ahu RC&D greatly appreciates the support of the community. We strive to recognize all of our supporters accurately and appropriately. If there is an error within the list, please contact us with concerns or corrections.

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Jumping into 2019Some things to look forward to in the upcoming year!

- Informative workshops

- Expanding the Hawai‘i Women

Farmers Network

- Parade of Farms in Wai‘anae

- Increased capacity for Conservation

Planning & Monitoring

- Capacity building through Fiscal

Sponsorship

- Promoting soil health

practices

- Grants available in multiple

watersheds

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Back Image:Kalo growing at the foot of the Ko‘olau Mountains.

Ways to keep in touch

@O‘ahu Resource Conservation And

Development@OahuRCD @oahurcd

Image Above:A ground cover of Perennial Peanut reduces soil erosion and improves soil health.

[email protected]

808-622-9026

P.O. Box 20992-1770 Kunia Road

Kunia, HI 96759

http://oahurcd.org/

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annual report 2018 · research station and included farm tours, farmer’s market, community...

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