Posted: Jan 31, 2021
Link to video and sound (details below): https://bit.ly/36oalPn
American AgCredit (AAC) has pledged $2 million to support GoFarm Hawai‘i, one of the largest and most successful beginning farmer development programs in the nation. The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) program provides business technical assistance, educational opportunities and access to a suite of resources designed to remove barriers to farming and agribusinesses. It also operates five beginning farmer training sites across four islands and an agricultural technician training program at the Waiawa Correctional Facility.
“Food sustainability and economic diversification are key post-pandemic priorities for our state,” UH President David Lassner said. “Many of the GoFarm Hawai‘i program’s alumni have started independent businesses or secured jobs in the agricultural industry. This strategic philanthropic investment from AAC
Farm Link Hawaii
Today we put agriculture in the spotlight. The pandemic has underscored the need to become more resilient when it comes to our food supply. The state has lofty goals for the islands to increase our sustainability. One way to do that is to encourage new farmers.
Joining us today are:
Pomai Weigert – AgBusiness Consultant for GoFarm Hawaii and a Board Director for the Hawaii Agritourism Association and The Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii. Pomai brings experience in marketing, community relations, agritourism, and collaborations across multiple business and community sectors.
Rob Barreca – In 2012, he left his career in web application development to focus on increasing local food consumption in Hawai‘i. He enrolled in GoFarm Hawai‘i, a new farmer training program, and launched Farm Link Hawai‘i, a web application that empowers farmers to sell to many O‘ahu restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores.