Learn from O'ahu's Master Farmers!

Aloha! O'ahu RC&D is pleased to share this latest news with you. Learn from O'ahu’s Master Farmers! We are excited to announce a series of workshops featuring Master Farmers across O'ahu. Each workshop includes talk story sessions with the Master Farmer and a tour of the farm operation, presentations on related topics, and resource materials. We hope you can join us! June 21 – Sustainable Agriculture with Paul and Charlie Reppun, Waianu Farm (Waiahole) July 5 – Value Added Products with Dean Okimoto, Nalo Farms (Waimanalo) July 19 – Aquaponics with Fred Lau, Mari’s Gardens (Mililani) August 1 – AgriTourism with Kyle Matsuda, Kahuku Farms (Kahuku) August 16 – Direct Marketing with Ed and Jonas Otsuji, Otsuji Farm (Hawaii Kai) All workshops are from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Registration fees apply, and cover the costs of refreshments and lunch. Registration deadline for each workshop is one week prior to the workshop date. See our website for more information and to register. Upon completing your registration, you will receive an email with directions to the farm. Seeking a Videographer! O'ahu RC&D is looking for someone to record and produce videos for our Master Farmer workshops. If you or someone you know is digitally savvy, let us know ASAP. Call Jean at 622-9026. You must provide your own equipment. A stipend is available to cover time and travel expenses. Have You Tried Sunn Hemp? Sunn hemp is a soil-building, nematode-killing, nitrogen-fixing plant that can be used as a cover crop in a farmer’s field or a backyard garden. Officially known as Crotlaria juncea, “Tropic Sun” sunn hemp is gaining popularity among Hawaii’s farmers for its ability to improve the soil and attract beneficial insects. O'ahu RC&D is excited to announce that it has seed available for sale thanks to a unique partnership with Pioneer Hi-Bred. If you are interested in trying sunn hemp in your garden or your farm, contact us by email or call 622-9026. We will send you pricing information. Congratulations! Congratulations to The Green House. Their project “Growing Green Schools” was the People’s Choice selection in Round 2 for the Island Innovation Fund. The Green House is a fiscal sponsored partner of O'ahu RC&D and will use the funds to convert food and paper waste from three local schools into valuable soil amendments for the school gardens. Read more about this innovative project. Grow Your Own Groceries O'ahu RC&D just completed a series of classes for North Shore residents to hone their gardening skills. Topics included building healthy soil, organic pest control, worms, chickens, herbs, and vegetables. Materials from the workshops are available on our website. Let us know if you’d like to host a series of workshops in your community! Call Ann at 622-9026 O'ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council PO Box 209 -- Kunia, Hawaii 96759 phone: 808-483-8600 x112 -- fax: 808-483-8619 The O`ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council is a non-profit organization improving the quality of life for the people of Oahu by encouraging activities that conserve and sustain our natural, human, cultural and economic resources. Visit our website for information on the variety of programs and services offered by the O`ahu RC&D. www.oahurcd.org

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