Page 10 - Living Aloha Magazine March/April 2017 Issue

no matter where you live, there are ways to get involved

growing the growers

by evan ryan

Hawai‘i has seen immense transformation funding to agricultural education and support systems
within a very short period of time. Native forests such as Korean Natural Farming and nutrient recycling
and ethno-botanically diverse ahupua‘a systems once centers. HFUU has also launched the Farm Apprentice
provided food, clothing, and shelter for the entire Mentoring Program that is offering new farmers the tools
population living in Hawai‘i. With colonization, the land and skills they need to be successful at farming in Hawai‘i.
was turned into large monoculture crop plantations,
invasive flora and fauna were introduced, and massive These programs are just a few examples of the
deforestation left barren desert landscapes throughout organizations throughout the state that are supporting
the islands. Wetlands were filled for urban development, functional land care systems that will support our local
while erosion, runoff and over-fishing continue to communities economically and environmentally, while
deplete our vibrant ocean reef systems. It is important to putting nutrient-rich, locally-grown food on our tables for
reintroduce a sense of responsibility to our roles as land years to come.
caretakers within a very small, yet diverse ecosystem. No matter where you live, there are ways to get involved

Regardless of where we were raised, we all have gardeners in the farm and garden movement by supporting
in our lineage, who were strongly connected with the the various organizational efforts, shopping at your
land. In the past, land care techniques and practices were local farmer’s market or tending a garden in your own
passed down through multi-generational mentorships backyard. By doing so, you create a cleaner, richer
that honored the land, streams, and oceans as sacred. This environment, providing food, medicine, beauty, clean
is rarely practiced today, leaving us seeking teachers in our air, abundant water, healthy soil, and an inspired, well-
communities, and guidance in local libraries, bookstores, nourished island community.
and online.
StrategieS for Starting
Hawai‘i and many places in the world are currently a HoMe garDen
witnessing a regenerative agricultural revolution. More
and more people are supporting the local, organic food Excerpt from the book
movement, and more and more organizations are working Hawaii Home Gardens
to build a thriving agricultural model for the future. by Evan Ryan and Lehua Vander Velde
www.hawaiihomegardens.com
Throughout the state the school garden networks are
engaging children of all ages with thriving school garden Where to begin? Order seeds? Start digging? Ask advice
programs in most schools. The Hawai‘i Farmers Union from others? Research online? A common strategy is to
United has continued to birth and support various excitedly purchase a bunch of vegetable starts at a local
governmental policies directed towards regenerative nursery, or buy seeds and plant them right away in small
agriculture, and have helped direct public and private pots. This approach typically leads to disappointment if

10 FEATURES Living Aloha | MARCH–APRIL 2017