Malama Kauai

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“We launched the kauai school garden network in 2010 to provide support services for gardens, farm-to-school activities, and sustainability initiatives in schools across kaua'i. The majority of schools now have garden program - congratulations kaua'i year after year we are moving more towards a capacity-building model that supports schools to build sustainable programming and keep these initiatives alive into the future. Although we have been working collaboratively with the hawaiian charter schools on gardens and food service for years, in august 2017, kaua'i's first farm-to-school pilot program, mala'ai kula, officially launched we're excited to create and discover the benefits and impact to our community, including local agriculture, the economy, and our keiki's health. The program is now a part of national farm to school network's seed change in native communities cohort. Village harvest is an award-winning collaborative partnership between malama kaua'i and the kaua'i master gardener program. Village harvest utilizes ctahr's 4 acres of productive fruit orchards, malama kaua'i's community farm, and community donors to harvest, pack and deliver fresh produce to schools, after-school programs, and food banks across kaua'i.through continued partnership with university of hawai`i ctahr's kaua'i master gardener program, the village harvest gleaning program has had a successful roll-out of the project into a full-time program village harvest has become well-known as an island-wide community-based gleaning network that diverts produce from becoming waste and redirects it to those who need it most. We expanded our ag internship program involving hawaii-based students in a highly interactive, hands-on, paid internship program which allows students to gain valuable life and professional experience, as well as offering opportunities for future career development and mentorship. During the program, interns participate in various workshops and service projects including working on-site with local farmers, gaining experience in permaculture and sustainable farming, and learning valuable techniques used in agribusiness. In addition to a stipend, several students will receive a 1,200 educational award to help pay for college. The 8-acre community farm, located in wai koa plantation, is our base of operations, hosting the 42-plot kalihiwai community garden, 2-acre kaua'i food forest agroforestry project, livestock pastures, demonstration farm plots, a youth garden, and more. The farm had a growth filled year where we saw new partnerships form, and are excited to see what the new year will bring. After welcoming the addition of several new members, the community garden is running smoothly and continues to provide a friendly and open environment to garden and grow your own food. Whether growing crops for market, or just to feed the family, the garden exists as a valuable resource for gardeners of all levels to grow whatever they like, whenever they like. This past year, we began a deeper exploration into how we can build the capacity of minority farmers and ranchers on kaua'i to support increased food production. In january, we held two all-day workshops for farmers, with 45 attendees in anahola and kekaha, highlighting opportunities in government programs, grants, sales opportunities, and more. Feedback from the workshops was incredibly positive, inspiring future ones. We believe that visitor arrivals and spending can give back to our island rather than take from it. We've set out on a mission to educate and engage visitors to do just that. In alignment with internationally recognized sustainable development goals (sdss), volunteer kaua'i envisions an engaged and involved visitor industry. One that ensures the protection of ecosystems, creates sustainable green jobs, promotes authentic local culture and products, and emphasizes the conservation and sustainable use of our natural resources.”

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