Over 65 high school and college students attended AG2017.
Read about the impacts the conference had on them and how they felt about participating.
Read about the impacts the conference had on them and how they felt about participating.
Future Farmers of America (FFA) High School Participants
FFA Student 1
This year’s 2017 Agriculture Conference theme was “Our world is changing. You can shape its future.” Throughout the conference those two sentences were very prevalent. It was really amazing to be there and I enjoyed every aspect, it made me even more proud to be apart of FFA.
One of the biggest highlights for me was attending the (K)new Agriculture workshop. I loved what the presenters had to say and how heartfelt and sincere each one was. It was very inspirational and I teared up when Kau’i Sana spoke. Something that I really took to heart was when she said “... to feed someone is the most precious and humble thing…” because it’s a beautiful feeling to know that you can provide for someone and share with them something so special as the outcome from growing your own food.
I took home a lot of valuable points about indigenous thinking and the idea of using traditional knowledge to create systems that work in today’s society. I look forward to helping those that are younger than me become educated on how important agriculture is and I will be doing a couple presentations for the middle school students. I hope to teach them all that I know and learn from them, as well as build a larger community of people who understand and support agriculture.
I really want to give a special shoutout and thank you to the Agriculture Leadership Foundation of Hawaii for supporting FFA. It was an amazing experience and opportunity that changed my life for the better. I now have even more of a drive to be apart of all that agriculture provides and is. Thank you so much for everything because what I learned I know will help me be a better leader and the whole experience was humbling.
FFA Student 2
The Agriculture Conference and the subsequent FFA chapter leadership conference that took place over the following days of August 28 August 30, 2017 was an eye-opening conference that led me to educate myself on important issues within the ag community along with connecting with fellow FFA members during my time spent in the FFA chapter sessions. It was incredibly thoughtful and generous of Agriculture Leadership of Hawaii to have sponsored the Hawaii FFA chapters to attend and stay nearby the Ag conference. They created an opportunity for students from all the different islands to come together and to collaborate, and learn, and share their thoughts on various issues. For me the highlight of the conference had to be the FFA sessions that were organized by the National FFA team that came in and helped the FFA members cultivate teamwork amongst the groups and teaching us about the real life applications of the fun activities we competed in. From what I took away and will apply to the FFA community is to organize communications with the fellow FFA Oahu chapters and to visit them as a Hawaii FFA state officer and hear what they have to say and the kinds of agriculture projects or personal projects they wish to accomplish and how the Hawaii FFA can help.
FFA Student 3
This leadership conference was a great experience for me as FFA member as well as a president. It was a two-day conference full of presentations as well as learning activities in order to further improve my chapter as well as my duties as an officer. We first began with a booth walk through with many agricultural companies showing us how they contribute to our agriculture system. Then right after we were jam packed with many group activities as well as learning presentation. Not only did the group activities make you learn as well as contribute but it also made me used what I learned and take it back to my school and my community in order to prosper.
What I took back from this was that as a community and a society we have to work together in order to sustain as well as provide for everyone's well-being. That starts at tradition and culture. It takes a village to raise a child everyone is contributing. Whether the community is reliant on gathering or technology they all have to work with intellect in order to survive. One of our activities was to extract DNA from a strawberry. This was done as a team to show how back then the importance of extracting a seed and reproduce it in large amounts in order to create forms.
We were also able to seek out new information from other presentations of communities such as human management which meant the responsibility of the land of give to the community who used it for example how the Hawaiians give back to the land when using it. As well as the passing down of traditions and cultures within its society and it's importance. What I am able to take back to my own school as well as society is that in order to make something happen whether it's change or helping out you have to make your voice heard. You have to not only participate but also spread the word be a voice. This helps not only your cause but your community to work together and become one.
FFA Student 4
Thank you for allowing me to be able to attend the Hawaii Ag Conference. I learned a lot during my time at the conference. I learned about different ways people were helping their communities and sharing about how their projects are bridging the people in their communities. I learned a lot in the leardership sessions as well.
One thing I learned that really stuck with me was that we need to advocate so more people know about FFA. I also learned that we as young people need to speak up because we have a voice. We need to use our voices because we are the future and we need to speak up so everyone can learn about FFA and what it is about. It’s not just farming. If we don’t speak up and educate others about our program, we run the risk of losing funding and support. We might just lose our programs in the future. We are the ones who have to carry on our programs so that our future generations can experience FFA like we have.
The conference taught me a whole bunch of new things and I feel that it is a very good conference to attend. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to attend the conference and show everyone in the agriculture world that we FFA members have a lot to share. I learned new things and I even heard some things that I already knew and being at the conference shined new light on those subjects. So I thank you very much for the opportunity.
FFA Student 5
While wearing the historic blue corduroy FFA jacket, I experienced one of the most meaningful agricultural conferences that I have ever attended. As an FFA member, I was aware of the importance of agriculture on a national level. However, during my attendance during the Hawaii Agriculture Conference 2017, my eyes were opened to see how many people in Hawaii care so much for Hawaii’s agriculture. Inspired and motivated by many, I learned how important the Hawaii FFA Association is in the future of Hawaii’s agriculture. As I was constantly made aware of the fact that the average age of farmers is rising, I feel that it is my duty as an FFA member to promote and support the next generation of agriculturists, and also, the next generation of agricultural educators. Premier leadership and personal growth are two elements that the National FFA Organization strives to instill into FFA members; I believe that the Hawaii Agriculture Conference successfully instilled the values of premier leadership and personal growth to all FFA members who were attending. I hold an immense sense of gratitude for those who have allowed FFA to be part of this historic conference. I am proud and thankful that Hawaii FFA has been a part of this extraordinary experience.
FFA Student 6
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to experience an event that brought so many aspects of agriculture together. Being at the conference really opened my eyes as to how many people in Hawaii depend on agriculture as their livelihood. My experience at the convention was great because I got to learn more about what is happening in our environment. It was inspiring to me to know what people in the community are doing to help the FFA organization and farmers in general. Thank you again for letting me be a part of the 2017 Hawaii Ag Conference. I had a great time!
FFA Student 7
The 2017 AG conference was sure an eye opener for me. I got to interact with others kids and adults around the state who share the same desire for agriculture whether it was spreading agriculture or preserving it. A true highlight for me during this AG conference was the breakout session I got to attend with the rest of the conference goers, it really opened my eyes as I got to talk to adults on their views and ideas on certain topics. As a state officer this year, it was great to help leaders grow and take it back to their chapters.
FFA Student 8
The 2017 Hawaii AG Conference was a very interesting and an incredible experience that my students and myself had. I enjoyed that there were many business and people involved in agriculture at the conference as it opened my mind to different ideas and to what others were doing in Hawaii. One of the most influential parts of the conference was the breakout session about climate and native agriculture. It made me realize that Hawaiian can obtain sustainability if we try local native crops that are adept to this type of climate. I would really like to thank the folks who put this conference together by giving FFA a room at the conference, paying for our hotel, and making us feel like a big part of the conference.
FFA Student 9
The 2017 agriculture conference was a wonderful experience as an FFA member. Everyone was very welcoming and informed on our organization. Having a collection of leaders and authorities of the Hawaiian Agricultural community along with us the the “Future” leaders all in one place was not only a place full of learning and experience but also a humbling environment that everyone enjoyed. From the viewpoint of me, a youth, I was extremely intrigued about the involvement of private businesses based in Hawaii and had great experiences with the vendors and teachers of the venue. If possible I would love to attend this venue again and would want many others to experience it for themselves.
FFA Student 10
It was very exciting to participate in the Hawaii Agriculture Conference. This was my first time attending a conference like this and I really learned and experienced many things about agriculture. It surprised me to see so many people interested or worried about agriculture. I learned so much from this conference, including that most of our food here is imported and not grown here on Kauai (and the other islands). I think this is bad for us because we can't always rely on other people to grow our food and we must grow our own food so we know how it's grown and nothing is wrong with it. There was so much that I didn't know and it was really interesting to see how people wanted to change the world and help Hawaii with its economy, but they also know that it was no easy task to be done, since we are dealing with government and with climate change. Also, I learned that 10% of food grown goes to waste because it either decays or falls on the ground and doesn't get used. It is conferences like this that make the farmers or people who want to help stand up and makes them get into action and help people and other farmers. I feel that since we have excellent people leading our agriculturalists, then I feel that agriculture industry is going to start to expand.
FFA Student 11
First and foremost, I’d like to give a big thank you for everyone who made this 2017 Ag Conference and FFA Leadership possible. I remember counting down the days for the event to come and it came and went so quickly. I honestly loved everything about it. Being a state officer and having the opportunity to put us younger generations out there was simply amazing. My highlight was seeing how much people were willing to help us after our State Officer and college student panel discussion. It felt as if it was their job to help us to become the next generation to advocate and make a change in our islands. Another would highlight would be for example, attending some of the discussion rooms and having to hear about cracking down on affordable housing and many ways that people wanted to propose to solve the issue here in Hawaii. Honestly, everyone can take a part of their proposal and come together to solve the problem. Another highlight I have was seeing how a lot of us came together no matter what kind of background of agriculture we came from. I’d like to also add that the food and drink tasting we had was AMAZING! I loved all the new flavors and foods I wouldn’t have imagined trying! But I’d like to give the biggest thank you to Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii (ALFH). Without them, we wouldn’t be given this amazing opportunity to meet with people who
have the similar interest as we do. Thank you for supporting agriculture funding here in Hawaii! I look forward for more opportunities like this to happen for future generations to come.
FFA Student 12
I had an amazing time at the 2017 agriculture conference. I really enjoyed all the times I got to spend with all the other students from the other schools while learning about real world situations of farming as well as the food that was given to us for lunch and dinner. It was nice to reunite with some people and meet new people at the same time. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to learn more about some of the situations that has to do with Ag and just for the opportunity of meeting new people.
FFA Student 13
I would like to start off by thanking those who made this program possible for all of the students in Hawaii. This program was an amazing experience. It gave me the opportunity to learn more about agriculture in Hawaii, current issues, and possibilities for the future. Overall, I believe the most important aspect of the convention was meeting new people and being able to learn from them. I was able to learn about different ways of agriculture, businesses, and most importantly ways to work with new people. Through our FFA sessions we were put into separate groups with different people we never met before. We learned to effectively work with each other and by the end of the sessions we all actually became good friends. I can personally say that this program is an amazing experience and I hope that future students are given the opportunity to experience it.
FFA Student 1
This year’s 2017 Agriculture Conference theme was “Our world is changing. You can shape its future.” Throughout the conference those two sentences were very prevalent. It was really amazing to be there and I enjoyed every aspect, it made me even more proud to be apart of FFA.
One of the biggest highlights for me was attending the (K)new Agriculture workshop. I loved what the presenters had to say and how heartfelt and sincere each one was. It was very inspirational and I teared up when Kau’i Sana spoke. Something that I really took to heart was when she said “... to feed someone is the most precious and humble thing…” because it’s a beautiful feeling to know that you can provide for someone and share with them something so special as the outcome from growing your own food.
I took home a lot of valuable points about indigenous thinking and the idea of using traditional knowledge to create systems that work in today’s society. I look forward to helping those that are younger than me become educated on how important agriculture is and I will be doing a couple presentations for the middle school students. I hope to teach them all that I know and learn from them, as well as build a larger community of people who understand and support agriculture.
I really want to give a special shoutout and thank you to the Agriculture Leadership Foundation of Hawaii for supporting FFA. It was an amazing experience and opportunity that changed my life for the better. I now have even more of a drive to be apart of all that agriculture provides and is. Thank you so much for everything because what I learned I know will help me be a better leader and the whole experience was humbling.
FFA Student 2
The Agriculture Conference and the subsequent FFA chapter leadership conference that took place over the following days of August 28 August 30, 2017 was an eye-opening conference that led me to educate myself on important issues within the ag community along with connecting with fellow FFA members during my time spent in the FFA chapter sessions. It was incredibly thoughtful and generous of Agriculture Leadership of Hawaii to have sponsored the Hawaii FFA chapters to attend and stay nearby the Ag conference. They created an opportunity for students from all the different islands to come together and to collaborate, and learn, and share their thoughts on various issues. For me the highlight of the conference had to be the FFA sessions that were organized by the National FFA team that came in and helped the FFA members cultivate teamwork amongst the groups and teaching us about the real life applications of the fun activities we competed in. From what I took away and will apply to the FFA community is to organize communications with the fellow FFA Oahu chapters and to visit them as a Hawaii FFA state officer and hear what they have to say and the kinds of agriculture projects or personal projects they wish to accomplish and how the Hawaii FFA can help.
FFA Student 3
This leadership conference was a great experience for me as FFA member as well as a president. It was a two-day conference full of presentations as well as learning activities in order to further improve my chapter as well as my duties as an officer. We first began with a booth walk through with many agricultural companies showing us how they contribute to our agriculture system. Then right after we were jam packed with many group activities as well as learning presentation. Not only did the group activities make you learn as well as contribute but it also made me used what I learned and take it back to my school and my community in order to prosper.
What I took back from this was that as a community and a society we have to work together in order to sustain as well as provide for everyone's well-being. That starts at tradition and culture. It takes a village to raise a child everyone is contributing. Whether the community is reliant on gathering or technology they all have to work with intellect in order to survive. One of our activities was to extract DNA from a strawberry. This was done as a team to show how back then the importance of extracting a seed and reproduce it in large amounts in order to create forms.
We were also able to seek out new information from other presentations of communities such as human management which meant the responsibility of the land of give to the community who used it for example how the Hawaiians give back to the land when using it. As well as the passing down of traditions and cultures within its society and it's importance. What I am able to take back to my own school as well as society is that in order to make something happen whether it's change or helping out you have to make your voice heard. You have to not only participate but also spread the word be a voice. This helps not only your cause but your community to work together and become one.
FFA Student 4
Thank you for allowing me to be able to attend the Hawaii Ag Conference. I learned a lot during my time at the conference. I learned about different ways people were helping their communities and sharing about how their projects are bridging the people in their communities. I learned a lot in the leardership sessions as well.
One thing I learned that really stuck with me was that we need to advocate so more people know about FFA. I also learned that we as young people need to speak up because we have a voice. We need to use our voices because we are the future and we need to speak up so everyone can learn about FFA and what it is about. It’s not just farming. If we don’t speak up and educate others about our program, we run the risk of losing funding and support. We might just lose our programs in the future. We are the ones who have to carry on our programs so that our future generations can experience FFA like we have.
The conference taught me a whole bunch of new things and I feel that it is a very good conference to attend. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to attend the conference and show everyone in the agriculture world that we FFA members have a lot to share. I learned new things and I even heard some things that I already knew and being at the conference shined new light on those subjects. So I thank you very much for the opportunity.
FFA Student 5
While wearing the historic blue corduroy FFA jacket, I experienced one of the most meaningful agricultural conferences that I have ever attended. As an FFA member, I was aware of the importance of agriculture on a national level. However, during my attendance during the Hawaii Agriculture Conference 2017, my eyes were opened to see how many people in Hawaii care so much for Hawaii’s agriculture. Inspired and motivated by many, I learned how important the Hawaii FFA Association is in the future of Hawaii’s agriculture. As I was constantly made aware of the fact that the average age of farmers is rising, I feel that it is my duty as an FFA member to promote and support the next generation of agriculturists, and also, the next generation of agricultural educators. Premier leadership and personal growth are two elements that the National FFA Organization strives to instill into FFA members; I believe that the Hawaii Agriculture Conference successfully instilled the values of premier leadership and personal growth to all FFA members who were attending. I hold an immense sense of gratitude for those who have allowed FFA to be part of this historic conference. I am proud and thankful that Hawaii FFA has been a part of this extraordinary experience.
FFA Student 6
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to experience an event that brought so many aspects of agriculture together. Being at the conference really opened my eyes as to how many people in Hawaii depend on agriculture as their livelihood. My experience at the convention was great because I got to learn more about what is happening in our environment. It was inspiring to me to know what people in the community are doing to help the FFA organization and farmers in general. Thank you again for letting me be a part of the 2017 Hawaii Ag Conference. I had a great time!
FFA Student 7
The 2017 AG conference was sure an eye opener for me. I got to interact with others kids and adults around the state who share the same desire for agriculture whether it was spreading agriculture or preserving it. A true highlight for me during this AG conference was the breakout session I got to attend with the rest of the conference goers, it really opened my eyes as I got to talk to adults on their views and ideas on certain topics. As a state officer this year, it was great to help leaders grow and take it back to their chapters.
FFA Student 8
The 2017 Hawaii AG Conference was a very interesting and an incredible experience that my students and myself had. I enjoyed that there were many business and people involved in agriculture at the conference as it opened my mind to different ideas and to what others were doing in Hawaii. One of the most influential parts of the conference was the breakout session about climate and native agriculture. It made me realize that Hawaiian can obtain sustainability if we try local native crops that are adept to this type of climate. I would really like to thank the folks who put this conference together by giving FFA a room at the conference, paying for our hotel, and making us feel like a big part of the conference.
FFA Student 9
The 2017 agriculture conference was a wonderful experience as an FFA member. Everyone was very welcoming and informed on our organization. Having a collection of leaders and authorities of the Hawaiian Agricultural community along with us the the “Future” leaders all in one place was not only a place full of learning and experience but also a humbling environment that everyone enjoyed. From the viewpoint of me, a youth, I was extremely intrigued about the involvement of private businesses based in Hawaii and had great experiences with the vendors and teachers of the venue. If possible I would love to attend this venue again and would want many others to experience it for themselves.
FFA Student 10
It was very exciting to participate in the Hawaii Agriculture Conference. This was my first time attending a conference like this and I really learned and experienced many things about agriculture. It surprised me to see so many people interested or worried about agriculture. I learned so much from this conference, including that most of our food here is imported and not grown here on Kauai (and the other islands). I think this is bad for us because we can't always rely on other people to grow our food and we must grow our own food so we know how it's grown and nothing is wrong with it. There was so much that I didn't know and it was really interesting to see how people wanted to change the world and help Hawaii with its economy, but they also know that it was no easy task to be done, since we are dealing with government and with climate change. Also, I learned that 10% of food grown goes to waste because it either decays or falls on the ground and doesn't get used. It is conferences like this that make the farmers or people who want to help stand up and makes them get into action and help people and other farmers. I feel that since we have excellent people leading our agriculturalists, then I feel that agriculture industry is going to start to expand.
FFA Student 11
First and foremost, I’d like to give a big thank you for everyone who made this 2017 Ag Conference and FFA Leadership possible. I remember counting down the days for the event to come and it came and went so quickly. I honestly loved everything about it. Being a state officer and having the opportunity to put us younger generations out there was simply amazing. My highlight was seeing how much people were willing to help us after our State Officer and college student panel discussion. It felt as if it was their job to help us to become the next generation to advocate and make a change in our islands. Another would highlight would be for example, attending some of the discussion rooms and having to hear about cracking down on affordable housing and many ways that people wanted to propose to solve the issue here in Hawaii. Honestly, everyone can take a part of their proposal and come together to solve the problem. Another highlight I have was seeing how a lot of us came together no matter what kind of background of agriculture we came from. I’d like to also add that the food and drink tasting we had was AMAZING! I loved all the new flavors and foods I wouldn’t have imagined trying! But I’d like to give the biggest thank you to Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii (ALFH). Without them, we wouldn’t be given this amazing opportunity to meet with people who
have the similar interest as we do. Thank you for supporting agriculture funding here in Hawaii! I look forward for more opportunities like this to happen for future generations to come.
FFA Student 12
I had an amazing time at the 2017 agriculture conference. I really enjoyed all the times I got to spend with all the other students from the other schools while learning about real world situations of farming as well as the food that was given to us for lunch and dinner. It was nice to reunite with some people and meet new people at the same time. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to learn more about some of the situations that has to do with Ag and just for the opportunity of meeting new people.
FFA Student 13
I would like to start off by thanking those who made this program possible for all of the students in Hawaii. This program was an amazing experience. It gave me the opportunity to learn more about agriculture in Hawaii, current issues, and possibilities for the future. Overall, I believe the most important aspect of the convention was meeting new people and being able to learn from them. I was able to learn about different ways of agriculture, businesses, and most importantly ways to work with new people. Through our FFA sessions we were put into separate groups with different people we never met before. We learned to effectively work with each other and by the end of the sessions we all actually became good friends. I can personally say that this program is an amazing experience and I hope that future students are given the opportunity to experience it.
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and UH West O‘ahu College Participants
Cherisse Chun, Food Science Graduate Student, CTAHR
As a first time attendee of the Hawaii Agriculture Conference, I did not have a prior understanding of the magnitude of this event. I was amazed to see over 600 people, all of whom care about the future of agriculture in Hawaii, come together with shared goals and interests. I learned that 85-95 percent of our food is imported, so just a modest 10 percent increase in our agricultural yield could result in 300 million dollars of revenue that could stay in Hawaii. Also, by supporting local farms and creating thousands of jobs for our residents, we could strengthen our economy and decrease our dependence on imported goods. However, I also learned that this is no easy task; instead it is a collective long-term effort. We need to focus on sustaining our land, water, and natural resources, in addition to politically addressing agricultural hurdles at the county, state, and federal levels of government. It is through conferences like these, where people are able to share their ideas on how to build a stronger food system, keep farm foods safe, and incorporate new technologies to make farming more efficient, that we take the steps necessary towards reaching our goals. With so many passionate individuals leading the narrative on local agriculture, I feel confident that Hawaii’s agriculture industry will continue to grow and thrive.
Kristen Harmon, CTAHR
The Hawaii Agricultural Conference was a unique experience for me. I presented a poster on an interdisciplinary project I am working on as part of my graduate research, with one aspect of the project focusing on agricultural needs. As an ecologist by trade, it was refreshing to hear perspectives from individuals who specialize in agriculture. I received extremely valuable feedback on my project, and interacted with individuals who share similar interests, which paved a way for potential collaboration on future projects. I was especially impressed by the technological advancements that have been made to make farming more efficient. My favorite session of the conference was entitled Biosecurity and Agriculture; this session included a panel of individuals with diverse expertise who discussed the issue of invasive species that are threatening Hawaii's watershed, human health, and agriculture. One of the panelists spoke about the State’s 10-year comprehensive biosecurity plan, which includes improving offshore security, certificates of inspection, risk assessments, and an increase in inspection staff. One of the take home messages of the session was that it is more expensive to manage invasive species once they have established, than it is to pay for prevention. Another panel participant, a local farmer, suggested immediate eradication of pest species, as farmers often absorb the cost of management of these pest species once they establish. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend this year's conference, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge of Hawaiian Agriculture.
Brytni Kalei K-aloha, CTAHR
I would like to start off with a mahalo nui for allowing me as a student to attend and participate in the conference. As a masters student completing a degree in Food Sciences it is important to understand Hawai’i connection to food source. I have never attended a conference relating to agriculture and food this provided a platform of knowledge for the future of Hawai’i. Any conference I attend I enjoy learning about what people are doing and the impact they have on their communities. I believe this conference portrayed a connection to community. I was able to learn about those who are working hard to make sure Hawai’i becomes more sustainable by providing the resources necessary toward agriculture. Currently, I am an intern at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and through this process I was able to witness and be a part of the legislation process. One take away was that we need better representation in the legislation. Attending the conference only confirmed that we need the next generation to pay attention to legislation and start to talk about politics. More work needs to be done in the legislation, but as a community I believe those in agriculture are making an impact and working hard to have a voice.
Megan Manley, Entomology Graduate Student, CTAHR
I am a first time attendee of the Hawaii Agriculture Conference; in fact, this was the first conference I had ever attended! I didn’t know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised with conference as a whole, and after attending, it confirmed for me that this field of work is something I truly enjoy and am happy to have chosen for my future. Many different topics relating to agriculture in Hawaii were discussed, but one of the sessions that really stood out to me the most was The (K)new Agriculture: Generational Perspectives of Growing Farmers on the Land. It was a very moving/inspiring group of panelists and I learned a lot about wanting to reconnect the community with the land, teaching the next generation how to preserve and care for this land, and what the panelists called “indigenous thinking”. I also learned that the average age of a farmer in Hawaii is 59, which to me, put even more significance on the fact that we need new farmers and teaching the next generations about sustainable agriculture is highly important. Overall, I think that the conference was a great success and it brought together groups of people who all want to work towards the same goal and make strides within agriculture for the future of Hawaii.
Michael “Ty” Martinez Sepulveda, CTAHR
I was most intrigued about how we can use technology in farming to reduce labor costs. Because often the biggest cost in farming is labor, the more we can automate systems on a farm the more efficient we can be. I learned a lot about the various technologies available to farmers, like water and weather sensors that prevent crop damage, and technology that can monitor for pests. In addition to the technology providing data, it can also collect and analyze data so farmers can make better decisions about when to do tasks like planting and harvesting and how to maximize yield. The biggest challenge at present with some of this technology is making it low cost, because most farms in the world are actually small to medium size. Ergo, something with a low upfront cost is needed. Many of the speakers talked about how they were making this happen. Learning about some of this technology that is becoming available was my biggest takeaway from the conference. Mahalo.
Anthony Mau, PhD Student CTAHR and Co-founder of Kupu Place Aquaponics, LLC
Mahalo for the support to attend the Hawai’i Ag Conference 2017. One significant aspect of this conference we all benefited from is the open panel discussions. ALL stakeholders spoke out about their issues in agriculture; and there was an attempt to understand as many sides to a story as were presented. One take away from Scott Enright was this: if we are working in Hawai’i’s agriculture industry, we are inherently tied to politics and must participate.
Another key aspect of this conference that I enjoyed partaking in was the Grower & Buyer Meet-up. As a grower, it was an awesome opportunity to share my products and learn how deals are made. It allowed me to interact with potential clients that I didn’t know were out there. There are some unique tools, technologies, and services out there to improve farming and distributing food! Overall, I would like to say mahalo, again, for the opportunity to listen (and share my thoughts) with some of the industry leaders. It was an honor.
Asuka Suzuki, RD, Doctoral Student, CTAHR, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences
Thank you very much for such a great opportunity to participate in the 2017 AG conference. Before I participated in this conference, I did not realize that Hawaiiʼs agricultural industry faces many obstacles. One of the challenges is the lack of labor. It has been a big issue that has caused many farmers to turn away from farming, as well as deterred young people from stepping into the agricultural industry. It is unfortunate to hear that, although they themselves are farmers, parents will not encourage their children to become farmers due to the demanding work and insufficient profit. It was an exceptional opportunity to hear that a lively exchange of views regarding challenges that small- to medium-sized farmers are facing. The issues that were discussed included not only personal obstacles but also the difficult political situation faced by many farmers. It is important to improve efficiency to increase their production-- i.e., passing legislative amendments to allow the importation of practical agricultural machines from different countries or government assistance such as subsidies. In addition, we need to tackle immediately the task of changing the image of farming from a "dirty" to a "noble" profession, as well as to spread information about the physiological and psychological benefits of farming.
These issues cannot be resolved immediately; however, sharing and recognizing the problems are the first steps of changing the circumstances. As a nutritionist, I would like to consider what I can do for the agricultural industry and what I can positively contribute to solve the labor shortage issue and help grow local Hawaiian crops to promote safe and nutritious food to everyone in the people of Hawaii.
Francesca Diaz, UH West O‘ahu
Aloha, my name is Francesca, I am an agricultural student attending UH West and this was my first time attending an agricultural conference I thoroughly enjoyed it, and what I learned while there. One day I am going to have an organic plant nursery and all of the sessions regarding sustainability, Hawaiian agricultural practices, land stewardship, and agro tourism gave me ideas to help with this vision. The Lean Farm talk was one of my favorites as to running a smooth business with less clutter. I enjoyed the refreshments and tasters in the end as well. I want Hawai’i to be self-sustainable and am more encouraged to promote locally made items. The promotion of the overall well being of the earth theme was valuable and I will continue to share its importance within my family and y friends. We need more people going into the school systems promoting and teaching these things to the next generations. Thank you so much for this opportunity, I am excited for the future ahead and hope to attend more agricultural conferences. Mahalo nui loa.
Anonymous, Thankful Attendee from UH West O‘ahu
Mahalo to the sponsors for providing the way to attend my first Agriculture Conference in Hawaii. The gathering of the agricultural community was “lokahi” in action – simply impressive. I am thankful to have the opportunity to glean a wealth of knowledge present in one location for two days. Every workshop was a goldmine of information and awareness. The question and answer portion displayed brilliant ideas and wisdom in how to move Hawaii agriculture to the next sustainable level. The conference presented a diverse set of topics that are pressing issues in Hawaii agriculture. It was very hard to decide which workshop to attend. I am sure that future Ag Hawaii Conferences will expand and continue to educate and generate the “way forward” in Ag sustainability. The conference was a great forum to hear how Ecoagriculturists, farmers, government officials, and academia want to knock down those barriers constraining for a sustainable food system in Hawaii. The cohort of new ideas and approaches was inspiring. For me to pick the best workshop that displayed the “way forward” for Hawaii was the Farm to School Initiative. That program captured the essence of a sustainable food system. No doubt there are governmental and economical incentive obstacles. But the bottom line benefit is that children will receive a whole food healthy diet that will result in an enhanced health effect. The Farm to School program shows a promising pathway to expand to all areas that will benefit local farmers, students, families, and just a better way in Hawaii. Thanks again for the opportunity to attend.
Cherisse Chun, Food Science Graduate Student, CTAHR
As a first time attendee of the Hawaii Agriculture Conference, I did not have a prior understanding of the magnitude of this event. I was amazed to see over 600 people, all of whom care about the future of agriculture in Hawaii, come together with shared goals and interests. I learned that 85-95 percent of our food is imported, so just a modest 10 percent increase in our agricultural yield could result in 300 million dollars of revenue that could stay in Hawaii. Also, by supporting local farms and creating thousands of jobs for our residents, we could strengthen our economy and decrease our dependence on imported goods. However, I also learned that this is no easy task; instead it is a collective long-term effort. We need to focus on sustaining our land, water, and natural resources, in addition to politically addressing agricultural hurdles at the county, state, and federal levels of government. It is through conferences like these, where people are able to share their ideas on how to build a stronger food system, keep farm foods safe, and incorporate new technologies to make farming more efficient, that we take the steps necessary towards reaching our goals. With so many passionate individuals leading the narrative on local agriculture, I feel confident that Hawaii’s agriculture industry will continue to grow and thrive.
Kristen Harmon, CTAHR
The Hawaii Agricultural Conference was a unique experience for me. I presented a poster on an interdisciplinary project I am working on as part of my graduate research, with one aspect of the project focusing on agricultural needs. As an ecologist by trade, it was refreshing to hear perspectives from individuals who specialize in agriculture. I received extremely valuable feedback on my project, and interacted with individuals who share similar interests, which paved a way for potential collaboration on future projects. I was especially impressed by the technological advancements that have been made to make farming more efficient. My favorite session of the conference was entitled Biosecurity and Agriculture; this session included a panel of individuals with diverse expertise who discussed the issue of invasive species that are threatening Hawaii's watershed, human health, and agriculture. One of the panelists spoke about the State’s 10-year comprehensive biosecurity plan, which includes improving offshore security, certificates of inspection, risk assessments, and an increase in inspection staff. One of the take home messages of the session was that it is more expensive to manage invasive species once they have established, than it is to pay for prevention. Another panel participant, a local farmer, suggested immediate eradication of pest species, as farmers often absorb the cost of management of these pest species once they establish. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend this year's conference, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge of Hawaiian Agriculture.
Brytni Kalei K-aloha, CTAHR
I would like to start off with a mahalo nui for allowing me as a student to attend and participate in the conference. As a masters student completing a degree in Food Sciences it is important to understand Hawai’i connection to food source. I have never attended a conference relating to agriculture and food this provided a platform of knowledge for the future of Hawai’i. Any conference I attend I enjoy learning about what people are doing and the impact they have on their communities. I believe this conference portrayed a connection to community. I was able to learn about those who are working hard to make sure Hawai’i becomes more sustainable by providing the resources necessary toward agriculture. Currently, I am an intern at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and through this process I was able to witness and be a part of the legislation process. One take away was that we need better representation in the legislation. Attending the conference only confirmed that we need the next generation to pay attention to legislation and start to talk about politics. More work needs to be done in the legislation, but as a community I believe those in agriculture are making an impact and working hard to have a voice.
Megan Manley, Entomology Graduate Student, CTAHR
I am a first time attendee of the Hawaii Agriculture Conference; in fact, this was the first conference I had ever attended! I didn’t know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised with conference as a whole, and after attending, it confirmed for me that this field of work is something I truly enjoy and am happy to have chosen for my future. Many different topics relating to agriculture in Hawaii were discussed, but one of the sessions that really stood out to me the most was The (K)new Agriculture: Generational Perspectives of Growing Farmers on the Land. It was a very moving/inspiring group of panelists and I learned a lot about wanting to reconnect the community with the land, teaching the next generation how to preserve and care for this land, and what the panelists called “indigenous thinking”. I also learned that the average age of a farmer in Hawaii is 59, which to me, put even more significance on the fact that we need new farmers and teaching the next generations about sustainable agriculture is highly important. Overall, I think that the conference was a great success and it brought together groups of people who all want to work towards the same goal and make strides within agriculture for the future of Hawaii.
Michael “Ty” Martinez Sepulveda, CTAHR
I was most intrigued about how we can use technology in farming to reduce labor costs. Because often the biggest cost in farming is labor, the more we can automate systems on a farm the more efficient we can be. I learned a lot about the various technologies available to farmers, like water and weather sensors that prevent crop damage, and technology that can monitor for pests. In addition to the technology providing data, it can also collect and analyze data so farmers can make better decisions about when to do tasks like planting and harvesting and how to maximize yield. The biggest challenge at present with some of this technology is making it low cost, because most farms in the world are actually small to medium size. Ergo, something with a low upfront cost is needed. Many of the speakers talked about how they were making this happen. Learning about some of this technology that is becoming available was my biggest takeaway from the conference. Mahalo.
Anthony Mau, PhD Student CTAHR and Co-founder of Kupu Place Aquaponics, LLC
Mahalo for the support to attend the Hawai’i Ag Conference 2017. One significant aspect of this conference we all benefited from is the open panel discussions. ALL stakeholders spoke out about their issues in agriculture; and there was an attempt to understand as many sides to a story as were presented. One take away from Scott Enright was this: if we are working in Hawai’i’s agriculture industry, we are inherently tied to politics and must participate.
Another key aspect of this conference that I enjoyed partaking in was the Grower & Buyer Meet-up. As a grower, it was an awesome opportunity to share my products and learn how deals are made. It allowed me to interact with potential clients that I didn’t know were out there. There are some unique tools, technologies, and services out there to improve farming and distributing food! Overall, I would like to say mahalo, again, for the opportunity to listen (and share my thoughts) with some of the industry leaders. It was an honor.
Asuka Suzuki, RD, Doctoral Student, CTAHR, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences
Thank you very much for such a great opportunity to participate in the 2017 AG conference. Before I participated in this conference, I did not realize that Hawaiiʼs agricultural industry faces many obstacles. One of the challenges is the lack of labor. It has been a big issue that has caused many farmers to turn away from farming, as well as deterred young people from stepping into the agricultural industry. It is unfortunate to hear that, although they themselves are farmers, parents will not encourage their children to become farmers due to the demanding work and insufficient profit. It was an exceptional opportunity to hear that a lively exchange of views regarding challenges that small- to medium-sized farmers are facing. The issues that were discussed included not only personal obstacles but also the difficult political situation faced by many farmers. It is important to improve efficiency to increase their production-- i.e., passing legislative amendments to allow the importation of practical agricultural machines from different countries or government assistance such as subsidies. In addition, we need to tackle immediately the task of changing the image of farming from a "dirty" to a "noble" profession, as well as to spread information about the physiological and psychological benefits of farming.
These issues cannot be resolved immediately; however, sharing and recognizing the problems are the first steps of changing the circumstances. As a nutritionist, I would like to consider what I can do for the agricultural industry and what I can positively contribute to solve the labor shortage issue and help grow local Hawaiian crops to promote safe and nutritious food to everyone in the people of Hawaii.
Francesca Diaz, UH West O‘ahu
Aloha, my name is Francesca, I am an agricultural student attending UH West and this was my first time attending an agricultural conference I thoroughly enjoyed it, and what I learned while there. One day I am going to have an organic plant nursery and all of the sessions regarding sustainability, Hawaiian agricultural practices, land stewardship, and agro tourism gave me ideas to help with this vision. The Lean Farm talk was one of my favorites as to running a smooth business with less clutter. I enjoyed the refreshments and tasters in the end as well. I want Hawai’i to be self-sustainable and am more encouraged to promote locally made items. The promotion of the overall well being of the earth theme was valuable and I will continue to share its importance within my family and y friends. We need more people going into the school systems promoting and teaching these things to the next generations. Thank you so much for this opportunity, I am excited for the future ahead and hope to attend more agricultural conferences. Mahalo nui loa.
Anonymous, Thankful Attendee from UH West O‘ahu
Mahalo to the sponsors for providing the way to attend my first Agriculture Conference in Hawaii. The gathering of the agricultural community was “lokahi” in action – simply impressive. I am thankful to have the opportunity to glean a wealth of knowledge present in one location for two days. Every workshop was a goldmine of information and awareness. The question and answer portion displayed brilliant ideas and wisdom in how to move Hawaii agriculture to the next sustainable level. The conference presented a diverse set of topics that are pressing issues in Hawaii agriculture. It was very hard to decide which workshop to attend. I am sure that future Ag Hawaii Conferences will expand and continue to educate and generate the “way forward” in Ag sustainability. The conference was a great forum to hear how Ecoagriculturists, farmers, government officials, and academia want to knock down those barriers constraining for a sustainable food system in Hawaii. The cohort of new ideas and approaches was inspiring. For me to pick the best workshop that displayed the “way forward” for Hawaii was the Farm to School Initiative. That program captured the essence of a sustainable food system. No doubt there are governmental and economical incentive obstacles. But the bottom line benefit is that children will receive a whole food healthy diet that will result in an enhanced health effect. The Farm to School program shows a promising pathway to expand to all areas that will benefit local farmers, students, families, and just a better way in Hawaii. Thanks again for the opportunity to attend.
KUPU
Erin Feeney
Being able to attend the Hawai'i Agriculture Conference as a volunteer was a real privilege. As a door monitor, I got to sit in on some really interesting sessions on topics ranging from fishpond restoration to agritourism to indigenous agriculture. The opportunity to hear experts speak on all the ways that we can incorporate ancestor practice and cultural knowledge into food production - to the benefit of conservation as well - was really inspiring. To have a brighter future, we need to look to the past, to the hundreds of years of research and development that native Hawaiians did and actively applied to these islands. It was also fascinating to hear about Oregon's agricultural industry as a model for and comparison to Hawai'i. It seems like there are a lot of lessons to be learned from our neighbor to the east about how to replace the void left by sugarcane by doing things like diversifying and creating value added goods. Overall, attending the conference was a truly valuable and memorable experience, made even better by the delicious pupus served at the end of the day!
Kepa Barrett
As a first-timer attending the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference last week, I had no idea what to expect. I attended fantastically unique breakout sessions ranging in topics from Cracking the Nut on Affordable Housing on Farmland in Hawaiʻi, featuring various property managers and city officials to Next Gen: The future of Agriculture in Hawaiʻi, highlighting college students and youth from Future Farmers of America. Out of all these topics, the session with which I resonated most was entitled Indigenous Ag & Climate Change. This session featured three Ph.D panelists presenting their key research findings on how Indigenous agricultural practices of Kanaka Maoli are crucial in the conversation of climate change adaptation in Hawaiʻi. These panelists explained that Indigenous agricultural practices are important because (1) they are demonstrated systems of resilience, (2) these practices can be applied to various landscapes, and (3) they preserve biodiversity. There is also an incredible potential for Hawaiʻi to produce ʻUlu (breadfruit), given the research that’s been done on cultivating and producing this staple food. One of my key takeaways from this session is the opportunity for agriculturalists and conservationists to work together. Specifically, as the environmental limits for agriculture rise to higher elevation levels towards the mountain areas, these limits will reach the lower boundaries of many conservation districts. These areas of conservation districts often contain a disproportionate number of invasive species that agricultural intervention may help mitigate and create a buffer zone for the upper conservation district areas in our watersheds. Ultimately, the panel highlighted Hawaiʻi’s trend of drying climate due to the overall warming of our planet and how Indigenous Ag practices can play a huge role in increasing future resiliency of Hawaiʻi’s agriculture.
Gabriella Gualano
I found the AG 2017 Conference very helpful in reconnecting myself with the agricultural community in Hawaii. I was able to meet old acquaintances I haven’t seen in awhile, as well as some really great leaders in agriculture that I only knew of by reading about them (or seeing them in television shows). It was also exciting to see the different reports in the poster session which were about water availability, hop production, and food waste. All these topics have crossed my mind more than once, so I am glad to see some answers to my thoughts. The session that stuck with me was titled “Grow Me the Money.” It was about recommendations of ways to receive monetary support as a farmer. I did research on loans two summers ago while I interned at a nursery in Waimanalo; so it was amazing to learn more about loans, as well as to see how much support individuals have here if they want to start a farm. Thank you so much for this opportunity to attend this conference!
Raeanne Cobb-Adams
Aloha mai! This was the first Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference I had the privilege to attend. I was so excited and grateful for the opportunity to learn more about farming in Hawaiʻi, to connect with real farmers, and to listen and think about current issues affecting Hawaiʻiʻs farmers and Hawaiʻiʻs food security. One of my favorite talks I went to was entitled “Cracking the Nut on Affordable Housing on Farm Land in Hawaiʻi.” This topic caught my interest because I have talked to some burgeoning farmers who also encountered the issue of being unable to find affordable agriculture land and affordable housing nearby or on the property. I believe that working the land helps humans have a better connection and respect for our natural resources. I would love to see more small family farms and family farms providing a livelihood and food for our island community. It was a complex issue which sparked great conversation between the audience and the esteemed panelists. The conference was really inspiring and I felt so invigorated to get more involved with the issues affecting our food security. Mahalo for the wonderful opportunity and experience.
Erin Feeney
Being able to attend the Hawai'i Agriculture Conference as a volunteer was a real privilege. As a door monitor, I got to sit in on some really interesting sessions on topics ranging from fishpond restoration to agritourism to indigenous agriculture. The opportunity to hear experts speak on all the ways that we can incorporate ancestor practice and cultural knowledge into food production - to the benefit of conservation as well - was really inspiring. To have a brighter future, we need to look to the past, to the hundreds of years of research and development that native Hawaiians did and actively applied to these islands. It was also fascinating to hear about Oregon's agricultural industry as a model for and comparison to Hawai'i. It seems like there are a lot of lessons to be learned from our neighbor to the east about how to replace the void left by sugarcane by doing things like diversifying and creating value added goods. Overall, attending the conference was a truly valuable and memorable experience, made even better by the delicious pupus served at the end of the day!
Kepa Barrett
As a first-timer attending the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference last week, I had no idea what to expect. I attended fantastically unique breakout sessions ranging in topics from Cracking the Nut on Affordable Housing on Farmland in Hawaiʻi, featuring various property managers and city officials to Next Gen: The future of Agriculture in Hawaiʻi, highlighting college students and youth from Future Farmers of America. Out of all these topics, the session with which I resonated most was entitled Indigenous Ag & Climate Change. This session featured three Ph.D panelists presenting their key research findings on how Indigenous agricultural practices of Kanaka Maoli are crucial in the conversation of climate change adaptation in Hawaiʻi. These panelists explained that Indigenous agricultural practices are important because (1) they are demonstrated systems of resilience, (2) these practices can be applied to various landscapes, and (3) they preserve biodiversity. There is also an incredible potential for Hawaiʻi to produce ʻUlu (breadfruit), given the research that’s been done on cultivating and producing this staple food. One of my key takeaways from this session is the opportunity for agriculturalists and conservationists to work together. Specifically, as the environmental limits for agriculture rise to higher elevation levels towards the mountain areas, these limits will reach the lower boundaries of many conservation districts. These areas of conservation districts often contain a disproportionate number of invasive species that agricultural intervention may help mitigate and create a buffer zone for the upper conservation district areas in our watersheds. Ultimately, the panel highlighted Hawaiʻi’s trend of drying climate due to the overall warming of our planet and how Indigenous Ag practices can play a huge role in increasing future resiliency of Hawaiʻi’s agriculture.
Gabriella Gualano
I found the AG 2017 Conference very helpful in reconnecting myself with the agricultural community in Hawaii. I was able to meet old acquaintances I haven’t seen in awhile, as well as some really great leaders in agriculture that I only knew of by reading about them (or seeing them in television shows). It was also exciting to see the different reports in the poster session which were about water availability, hop production, and food waste. All these topics have crossed my mind more than once, so I am glad to see some answers to my thoughts. The session that stuck with me was titled “Grow Me the Money.” It was about recommendations of ways to receive monetary support as a farmer. I did research on loans two summers ago while I interned at a nursery in Waimanalo; so it was amazing to learn more about loans, as well as to see how much support individuals have here if they want to start a farm. Thank you so much for this opportunity to attend this conference!
Raeanne Cobb-Adams
Aloha mai! This was the first Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference I had the privilege to attend. I was so excited and grateful for the opportunity to learn more about farming in Hawaiʻi, to connect with real farmers, and to listen and think about current issues affecting Hawaiʻiʻs farmers and Hawaiʻiʻs food security. One of my favorite talks I went to was entitled “Cracking the Nut on Affordable Housing on Farm Land in Hawaiʻi.” This topic caught my interest because I have talked to some burgeoning farmers who also encountered the issue of being unable to find affordable agriculture land and affordable housing nearby or on the property. I believe that working the land helps humans have a better connection and respect for our natural resources. I would love to see more small family farms and family farms providing a livelihood and food for our island community. It was a complex issue which sparked great conversation between the audience and the esteemed panelists. The conference was really inspiring and I felt so invigorated to get more involved with the issues affecting our food security. Mahalo for the wonderful opportunity and experience.