LIFE-CTAHR: aquaculture

Showing posts with label aquaculture. Show all posts

Monday, June 4, 2012

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

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Understand the legal risk involved in the use of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone in aquaculture to control maturation and spawning of fish

May 26, 2012, 10.00 – 1.00

Maui College, Community Service Building

(CTAHR building, COMSERVE building on Maui Community College Campus)

One of the most widely used hormonal products for controlling maturation and spawning in fishes is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). In Hawaii it is used primarily by farmers who culture Chinese Catfish as this species does not spawn in captivity and final maturation and spawning must be induced by hormonal intervention.

WHY COME TO THIS WORKSHOP:

1) A presentation that will cover the mode of action of HCG in controlling maturation and spawning in fishes is to be covered by Dr. Clyde Tamaru, Ph,D, Aquaculture Specialist, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. He will also be providing some information regarding what CTAHR has to offer regarding Risk Management for farmers.

2) HCG is a prescription product restricted to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For those farmers or stakeholders who are currently or plan to use this prescription drug a meeting with the veterinarian , Dr. Michael Wong, DVM, University of Hawaii Laboratory and Animal Service, who will cover the oversight of the purchase and distribution of HCG is to take place. If you are not present at this meeting you will need to make your own special arrangements in order to obtain this prescribed drug.

Seating is limited to only 40 individuals and an RSVP is required to reserve a seat. Final date for RSVP May 25, 2012. Contact: Robert Howerton howerton@hawaii.edu or by phone: 808-268-3246 to make reservations. There are no charges to attend this workshop and parking is free.

SPEAKERS

Dr. Clyde Tamaru, CTAHR: Controlled reproduction in fishes with particular emphasis on the use of HCG.

Dr. Michael Wong, DVM. Rules and regulations on the use of HCG

Monday, April 30, 2012

Grower Inspired Aquaponics Field Day and Risk Management Update

LIFE and RMH would like to thank Mr. Ramiscal and Mr. Saguibo, Wailua grower cooperators, for allowing us to hold an educational workshop and field day on their property. Over 40 participants learned about the LIFE and Risk Management programs offered via UH CTAHR and the USDA Risk Management Agency. Special thanks to Steve Fukuda for working with the grower cooperators in organizing the demonstration.

Dr. Clyde Tamaru provided a sound foundation on aquaculture, hydroponics

& aquaponics based on Hawaii generated research based information

Jason Shitanishi of the USDA FSA covered the USDA FSA Disaster and Transporation Reimbursement Programs. Mr. Shitanishi explained the USDA transportation reimbursement program can assist growers in getting back approximately 5% of crop inputs expenses such as fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, etc.

TJ Nii shared information about the various USDA farm loans available

Daryl Arai elaborated on the ag loans available through HDOA

Both speakers provided information on government supported financial loan programs that could be explored to help fund new and existing agricultural related ventures, like aquaponics. Growers were advised by LIFE and RMH to talk with loan officers about the best package and rates for their respective businesses.

Jensen Uyeda of the Sustainable and Organic Program talked about the role of vermicompost in seedling media and worms in the grow bed systems.

Participants learned from the cooperators the growing pains and opportunities in starting a aquaponics system in Hawaii

4H Agent, Rose Saito explained to growers about worm habitat while Agent Jari Sugano showed growers how to minimize food safety risk when harvesting

Dr. Clyde Tamaru showcased the two growing system designs (cinder vs floating beds), the bell siphon-ebb and flow water system and talked about the new disease affecting talapia.

Growers were able to see blue and red talapia and the Chinese catsish species.

Growers learned to section off talapia offsprings to minimize losses

Special mahalo to Dr. Clyde Tamaru, Jason Shitanishi, TJ Nii, Daryl Arai, Jensen Uyeda for 'showing' growers ways to take on new agribusiness ventures through management of ag risk.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Grower Inspired Field Day: Waialua Oahu

Ramiscal Farms
68-369 Olohio Street
Waialua, Oahu
April 30, 2012
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join LIFE and Risk Management Hawaii in a ‘grower inspired’ field day on April 30, 2012 at 10:00 am. Project collaborators, Andres Saguibo and Eulogio Ramiscal will be hosting a field day to demonstrate the use of aquaponics in cultivating leafy greens and various vegetable crops using this new and innovative system. Learn first hand about the growing pains and opportunities involved in starting and maintaining a small scale aquaponics unit in Waialua, Oahu.

LIFE partners, Dr. Clyde Tamaru and / or Cathy Montgomery Hopkins, CTAHR Aquaculture and Aquponics specialists will be on hand to talk about the fundamentals behind aquaponics and the integration of fish into vegetable production. Dr. Ted Radovich and/ or Jensen Uyeda from the Sustainable and Organic Agriculture program will share how aquaponics fits into sustainable agriculture systems. Jason Shitanishi of the USDA FSA will be available to talk about the various USDA programs available. Melissa Motosue of the USDA FSA will talk about low interest farm loans. Team LIFE and RMH will share strategies for managing risk in Hawaii Agriculture . Agent Jari Sugano will talk with growers about ways to heighten food safety in handling produce grown in aquaponics systems. Come join us for an morning filled with fish, vegetables, collaborative partnerships, and fun.

Please contact Lynn at the Wahiawa Extension Office to reserve your spot and for last minute changes at 622-4185 or via email at wahiawa@ctahr.hawaii.edu

DIRECTIONS TO RAMISCAL FARMS: WAIALUA, OAHU

Take Farrington Highway in Waialua, you will pass in front of Waialua High School. Continue west toward Mokuleia about a mile and a half to two miles, the first right will be Olohio St. Enter Olohio about 150 to 200 yards and 68-369 will be on the left, enter driveway that has coconut trees on both sides of entrance. If parking lot is full you may park along Olohio St.

Open to everyone without regard to race, age, sex, color or disability. Educational activities are accessible for individuals with disabilities. For information or to request an auxiliary aid or service (e.g., sign language interpreter, designated parking, or materials in alternate format), contact Lynn Bessara @ (808) 622-4185 seven days before the activity/event.