HOFA MISSION STATEMENT
HOFA's HISTORY AND PURPOSE
WHAT IS HOFA?
WHAT SERVICES DOES HOFA PROVIDE?
WHO IS HOFA?
WHY IS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IMPORTANT?

HOFA MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to protect the life of the land and the health of our communities through education about organic land care practices.
Developing and strengthening certified organic farms enhances Hawaii's many fragile ecosystems and provides a base for a sustainable local economy.

HOFA's HISTORY AND PURPOSE

Hawaii has a long history of feeding her people with an abundance of wholesome, organically grown food. Only in the past century has self-sustaining agriculture been replaced by chemically based monoculture and the importation of basic foods. Now, in these changing times, Hawaii's farmers, and her organic farmers in particular, are again looking to supply a great variety of foods to meet the local needs of an expanding health-conscious population.

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) was formed in September 1993 in response to the federally mandated Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) of 1990. The purpose of OFPA is to set consistent organic production standards nationwide, and to boost consumer confidence in food claimed to be "organically grown." Any produce claiming to be "organic" in the USA must be certified as such by a USDA-NOP accredited certification agency.

What is organic?
Organic production is a system that is managed in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990 and regulations in the National Organic Program (NOP; Title 7, Part 205 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations) to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. NOP develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards.

WHAT IS HOFA?

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) is a non-profit membership organization that administers organic certification in the State of Hawaii. HOFA promotes organic and sustainable agriculture through research, education, and by providing organic certification services in compliance with the Federal Organic Rule enacted in 2000.

WHAT SERVICES DOES HOFA PROVIDE?

Certification:

HOFA is federally accredited to offer Basic Crop, Wildcrop, Livestock, and Processing/Handling certifications. For more information, please see the Certification page.

Information & Education:

HOFA offers many publications and resources to assist producers and consumers with tropical organic agriculture. HOFA conducts workshops, conferences and participates in trade shows. 

Research:

HOFA collaborates with farmers and researchers on projects pertaining to organic and sustainable tropical agriculture.

WHO IS HOFA?

HOFA members are people like you who care about the food they eat and its impact on the environment. Our membership is made up of local organic farmers, distributors, retailers, students, and consumers wishing to support and promote organic agriculture in Hawaii. You do not need to be an organic producer to be a member. Members receive regular newsletters and notices of events, workshops, conferences and seminars.

HOFA is organized with a seven-member volunteer Board of Directors. The Board represents all of the counties in the State of Hawaii. HOFA has three staff administrators to facilitate day-to-day operations of the organization and maintains an office at 474 Kalanikoa Street in Hilo.

HOFA’s Organic Certification Program is administered by qualified HOFA members appointed to the Certification Committee. A team of independent and IOIA-trained inspectors provide contract services to HOFA’s Certification Program.

WHY IS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IMPORTANT?