News

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ May 2021

‘Agriculture in the Classroom’ Returns with Video & Activity Booklet This year, instead of the students coming to the farm, the farm comes to the students! Maui County Farm Bureau’s popular “Agriculture in the Classroom” (AIC) program has been around since 2006, and usually features an annual field trip that takes kids Upcountry to the heart of Maui’s ag community at Haleakala Ranch. But for 2021, teams from Haleakala Ranch, Maui Electric, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources and UH Maui’s Master Gardener Program, Bayer, and Maui Soil & Water Conservation Districts have put together an educational video and… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ May 2021

Maui County Farm Bureau Hosts “Cooking Hawaiian Style”

“Cooking Hawaiian Style,” a locally produced television show, set up its outdoor kitchen at Kula Country Farms and Kaonoulu Ranch on the Valley Isle this week. The backdrop chosen by show director/partner Ruben Carrillo was one of Maui’s most picturesque—and most vulnerable—features: crop and ranch lands. Vast working, green space stretches from upper Kula past the Kula Ag Park in Pūlehu and Ōmaʻopio down to the central valley, which was once filled with sugarcane and is now being planted with a range of agricultural crops by Mahi Pono. Framing the shot is the southern coastline to the left and the… Read More »Maui County Farm Bureau Hosts “Cooking Hawaiian Style”

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ March 2021

Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair to Return in 2022 We had high hopes for Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair this year; however, due to Covid-19 and the rules and regulations surrounding public health and safety, MCFB’s signature event will not take place at War Memorial in 2021. In place of our popular event, MCFB plans to launch a Grown on Maui marketing campaign, and our event partner, the Maui 4-H Youth Livestock Association, will host a livestock show (no auction). Continue to save the date for June 5, and stay tuned for more information about the campaign and… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ March 2021

105 Small Farms in Maui County Awarded Micro Grants

Maui County’s $2.5 million Agricultural Micro Grants Program, administered by Maui Economic Opportunity, purchased tractors, chippers and other supplies; put up fencing and sheds; and established an online presence for 105 small farms in the county. MEO Business Center Director David Daly said today that his team is working on putting the finishing touches on the last couple of grants.    The Agricultural Micro Grants Program was established to allow small Maui County farms to receive grants of up to $25,000 to directly increase the availability of local produce, livestock, poultry and farm products while increasing agricultural capacity, productivity, name… Read More »105 Small Farms in Maui County Awarded Micro Grants

Emergency Assistance Program Established for Moloka‘i and Maui Ag Operations Suffering Losses due to Excess Deer Population.

The Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has opened an emergency assistance program for farming and ranching operations on Moloka`i and Maui that have suffered losses due to excessive deer populations. HDOA has committed a total of $200,000 for this relief program through the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Qualified agricultural and livestock operations on Moloka‘i and Maui may apply for up to $10,000 in assistance via the state’s procurement platform at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/19971. The application deadline is noon on March 8, 2021.  On Jan. 26, 2021, Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation declaring the County of Maui a… Read More »Emergency Assistance Program Established for Moloka‘i and Maui Ag Operations Suffering Losses due to Excess Deer Population.

2021 Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislative Priorities

2021 Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislative Priorities (In Priority Order) Relating to the Land Leases – SB 693/HB530 & HB 469 Purpose: The current Act 90 SLH 2003 has not been fully implemented to fulfill the intent of transferring land in agricultural use from the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to the Department of Agriculture (HDOA). Justification: The success of ranchers and farmers is a key component in the State’s Sustainable Hawaii Initiative to double local food production by 2030. Ranchers need long-term leases in order to prudently invest in infrastructure improvement on the leased land. HDOA rules are… Read More »2021 Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislative Priorities

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ February 2021

MCFB Prepares a Re-Launch of ‘Buy Local’ Campaign and Sponsors ‘Cooking Hawaiian Style’ The importance of “Grown on Maui, Buy Local” took on a whole new meaning after restaurants and hotels shut down in spring 2020. We all saw first-hand just how essential it was that our main food supply be rooted here in the islands. Now even as tourism returns to Maui, we want to keep up that vigilance and not return to the old, dependent ways. Given low visitor arrivals, we need to do our best to drive residents (and visitors) to restaurants, grocery stores and farmers markets.… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ February 2021

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ January 2021

First of all, we want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, the Year of the Ox. It is time to look ahead and work towards an improved future in Maui County. The new year brings the beginning of the state legislative session which began on Wednesday, January 20. We have heard from legislators that bills that require funding will be difficult to pass due to the projected $1.4 billion budget shortfall. Presently, there are many unknowns and the state’s spending will depend on current data. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau normally introduces a package of 8-10 legislative priorities every session.  However,… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ January 2021

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ December 2020

Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season from Maui County Farm Bureau Board of Directors On behalf of MCFB’s board of directors and myself, happy holidays! We wish all of you a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. In this special season, some Japanese families make Kadomatsu. Kadomatsu is a green decoration made of pine, bamboo and plum (ume) trees symbolizing longevity, prosperity and sturdiness. From right after Christmas until January 7, Kadomatsu is believed to provide temporary housing for the toshigami sama (deity) in order to ensure a great harvest and blessings from the family’s ancestors on everyone in… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ December 2020

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ November 2020

We are near the end of 2020, and this has been a year of many challenges for our members. The many issues confronting us have tested our resolve to remain vigilant and focused on efficiencies in our operations. The year started as any normal year. But things changed dramatically as the coronavirus began to take hold in Hawai‘i, the U.S., and around the world. This novel virus was new to everyone, and science knew little about it. Our members’ sales decreased to serious levels, and the focus turned to our producers. We all are aware of the many government assistance… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ November 2020