News

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ March 2022

MCFB Names New Board Members For the new two-year term, Maui County Farm Bureau retained some current board members and elected some new ones. New board members include Bobbie Patnode and Jayson Watts. Bobbie Patnode, DirectorBobbie Patnode is the “mom partner” in Patnode Family Farm, together with husband Jack and son Ben. The Patnodes have been farming commercially on Maui since 2012. Their farm on Crater Road grows mostly root vegetables such as Japanese and Korean daikon, beets, watermelon radish, onions, and more, all using organic methods.  Being up high (3,700 feet), they are able to grow fruits like peaches… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ March 2022

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ December 2021

MCFB’s board of directors will continue to serve our members and work hard in support of a viable agricultural industry. Leading the way is Kyle Caires (20-22) who was re-elected board president; Joshua Shyloh Stafford-Jones (21-23) re-elected as vice president; Jayson Watts (21-23), one of two new directors who was elected secretary; and returning director and re-elected treasurer Tim Stevens (21-23).  Rounding out the board is the second new director Bobbie Patnode (21-23). She joins returning board members – Rodrigo “Rudy” Balala (20-22), Brendan Balthazar (20-22), James “Kimo” Falconer (20-22), Teena Rasmussen (20-22), and Heidi Watanabe (21-23) .  Our sincerest aloha… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ December 2021

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ Oct/Nov 2021

MCFB Ramps Up ‘Grown on Maui’ Awareness for HolidaysMaui County Farm Bureau wants everyone to know: now is the time to get serious about buying local! With the holiday season quickly approaching, MCFB is kicking off a comprehensive Fall/Winter campaign to reinvigorate the Grown on Maui trademark and remind residents and visitors to buy Grown on Maui produce, products, proteins, flowers and plants. The GOM marketing pieces are free of charge and can be requested online at www.mauicountyfarmbureau.org. Retail outlets may also request to be listed on MCFB’s website as a place to purchase Grown on Maui goods. “We are… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ Oct/Nov 2021

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ September 2021

SAVE THE DATE: MCFB’s Virtual Meeting – Oct. 14 Maui County Farm Bureau will hold its Annual Membership Meeting online on Thursday, Oct. 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The webinar will be produced by Akakū Studios. MCFB will mail meeting packets to members on Friday, Oct. 1. Registration information will be in that packet. You will also receive a Mail Chimp notice in your email which you can easily click to register. Once you register, a Zoom link will be sent to your email. The meeting will include the announcement and presentation of MCFB’s 2021 Member Awards for Member… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ September 2021

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ August 2021

Maui County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors and its Executive Director Warren K. Watanabe gathered to honor Woody and Carmen Goble of Goble’s Flower Farm as MCFB’s 2020 “Maui Legacy Farmers” Award honorees. MCFB’s “Maui Legacy Farmer” Award was established in 2016 to honor those in the agriculture industry on Maui for their lifetime achievement in Maui agriculture and contributions to our community. Traditionally presented at MCFB’s annual pancake breakfast at the Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair. The 2020 award was presented at a small dinner held at MauiWine on August 3. “Together Woody and Carmen have created a wonderful legacy of… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ August 2021

Native Hawaiian Farmers Encouraged to Apply for Renter and Homebuyer Programs

Wailuku, Maui, HI (July 27, 2021) – Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) is aiming to fill a critical need in the community with a new financial assistance program for Native Hawaiian farmworkers. Farmers are encouraged to apply and receive practical help in a variety of areas. Among other possible benefits, applicants to the program may: get help to qualify for rental and mortgage loans; access loans up to $100,000 for home buying costs (income and other program restrictions apply); qualify for up to $11,500 in grant funds for home purchase; and learn about HCA’s grants for first month’s rent/deposit up to… Read More »Native Hawaiian Farmers Encouraged to Apply for Renter and Homebuyer Programs

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ July 2021

Welcome Back!MCFB Announces In-Person General Meeting & Mixer Calling all members & friends of the Maui County Farm Bureau! (or at least 75 of them) MCFB is thrilled to announce our first in-person event since December of 2019. The FREE outdoor event will be held on Tuesday, August 3, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at MauiWine in Ulupalakua. MauiWine’s scenic venue fits the bill for gathering again with an outdoor covered pavilion, plenty of parking and full use of kitchen and facilities. Due to COVID-19 restrictions still in place, attendance will be capped at 75 people through online registration. So… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ July 2021

MCFB Receives Continued funding for Farm Produce Purchases

Maui County Farm Bureau is pleased to announce that the County of Maui has extended COVID-19 pandemic relief funding to keep MCFB’s Farm Product Purchase Program (FPPP) going for through September 30. In total, the program now exceeds $530,000. Commercial farmers who have produce available are welcome to join this program. Membership in MCFB is not a requirement. Weekly produce orders are taken on Thursdays and produce delivery is scheduled on Tuesdays from 7 am – 12 pm. To participate, call Heidi Watanabe, FPPP produce coordinator, (808) 357-8593.

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ June 2021

New Country Market at Waikapū is all things Maui A few months ago, Manu Vinciguerra of Kumu Farms called to share the good news—they’re opening a bigger store in Waikapū dedicated to Maui agricultural produce and products. “We want to make AgFest happen every day at our store!” she said.  The Country Market at Waikapū officially opened on June 1 at Maui Tropical Plantation. Now instead of buying produce from the Kumu Farms Farm Stand, customers can expand their shopping in the spacious new store with many other local products, including artwork and specialty coffee, teas and accessories. The Country Market… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ June 2021

Maui County Farm Bureau Presents ‘Ag in the Classroom’ Video & Activity Booklet

KULA, Maui, HI (May 12, 2021) – Until regulations allow more than 1,200 second-graders to pile onto school buses and head Upcountry again, Maui County Farm Bureau is pleased to provide a virtual version of its popular “Agriculture in the Classroom” (AIC) program. The new video and activity booklet feature lessons from local farmers, ranchers and agriculture educators. Since 2006, MCFB’s AIC program has been sharing knowledge about local agriculture with students, both in their classrooms and on an annual field trip Upcountry to the heart of Maui’s ag community at Haleakala Ranch. With current conditions in 2021, a different… Read More »Maui County Farm Bureau Presents ‘Ag in the Classroom’ Video & Activity Booklet