Hawaii Organic Farmers Association

HAWAII ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION Presents: "AMIGO" BOB CANTISANO! workshops on "Compost Production and Soil Fertility" coming to Maui, Big Island, and Kaua'i

Compost and Compost Tea at Hualalai Resort By: Cindy Salter

Hualalai Resort, an 865-acre residential community on the north Kona-Kohala Coast, just celebrated its 9^th anniversary in September. In addition to its residential communities, Hualalai Resort features two golf courses, a sports club and spa, cultural center, and hotel (Four Seasons Resort Hualalai). Roughly two-thirds of the resort’s 865 acres has been developed, with the remainder expected to be complete in the next 5-6 years.

Hualalai Resort is sited on an old lava flow, presenting unique challenges to tropical landscape development and maintenance. Whatever topsoil is needed has to be imported, as there is essentially none on site.

Erin Lee, Director of Resort Landscaping at the Hualalai Resort since 2002, oversees a staff of about 75 employees that maintain all of the resort’s lawns, common grounds, shrubs and planters. Her staff is also contracted to maintain the landscapes of the hotel and private residential areas.

Landscape Theme

The theme at Hualalai is a subtle, muted and elegant tropical landscape, featuring an assortment of plant material including many indigenous species. Fragrant white flowers of Singapore Plumeria and brilliant hibiscus bordering crisp green Bermuda grass lawns create an inviting and visually pleasing environment. Many of the native ground covers and commonly used plant materials are propagated on-site in a nursery overseen by Lee’s staff.

Composting Program

About 8 years ago, Hualalai Resort began a program to recycle its own green waste, as it was the responsible thing to do in keeping with theirr commitment to care for the land, not to mention the potential value in all that organic material. All of the resort’s grass clippings, shrub and tree trimmings, etc. are taken to an on site composting facility to be reborn into compost. The compost operation includes a chipper to process branches and larger woody materials, a front-end loader to mix materials and turn the compost piles, and a screener to produce a uniform product. The piles, averaging 10’ tall x 20’ wide by 300’ long, are irrigated to maintain adequate moisture during the composting process, which takes about 2-3 months from start to finish. The finished compost is then taken back to the resort, where it is used in planters, beds, nursery stock, and to top-dress lawns. In the future, the resort is considering other materials such as office paper and food waste to incorporate into the composting operation. At present, scrap food from the kitchen goes to local hog farmers. The resort uses all of the compost it can make, and even has requests from outside contractors for the product!

Compost Tea

Ms. Lee first heard about compost tea from an article she read in the journal Biocycle.

Having observed beneficial results from the use of compost in their operations, the department decided to extrapolate the potential of compost tea and purchased a 25-gallon compost tea brewer in 2000 from Michael Alms of Growing Solutions. Little by little, the landscape crew began to incorporate compost tea into their routines. Initially, it was used on plants infested with root-feeding nematodes such as pink hibiscus, using a combination of soil drench, root/basal application and some foliar application.

Visible results were observed in a very short period of time after compost tea was applied. Once her staff heard that it worked on hibiscus, they began trying it on many other plants with similar results. Thus began an internal race over who got the compost tea, so Lee decided to purchase a 100-gallon machine from Growing Solutions. Both machines now run essentially non-stop, and crews are given their respective allotment.

Compost tea is used on essentially all maintained areas of the resort. It is used regularly on 28 custom estate homes and 3 large association complexes (condominiums) with expansive common areas. It is also used on the hotel grounds (about 35 acres).

The compost tea is usually diluted 1:1 (tea to water), but sometimes diluted slightly more on new transplants. (Note: the resort installed a whole-system reverse osmosis water treatment unit recently because of high salts; this is used in all residential and hotel irrigation, compost tea production and dilution, as well as to water the compost pile.) The compost tea is applied to large areas with a 100-tank sprayer mounted on a Toro Workman with a spray wand. Other methods of application include 27-gallon sprayers (foliar and drench application), backpack sprayers, as well as buckets and watering cans.

Results/Conclusions

When asked if she had encountered any problems with incorporating compost tea into her landscape maintenance program, Lee firmly stated “no problems whatsoever.” When asked about effects of the compost tea, Lee says that visible results tell the story. “You’d have to be blind not to see it”, she jokes. When comparing the current situation with what existed before incorporating compost and compost tea into her program, Lee sees a huge difference in overall quality.

The resort no longer purchases orthene, diazinon, or malathion. She believes that compost and compost tea helped eliminate the need for these chemicals by increasing the health and vigor of plants. Therefore, fertilizer and pesticide expenses have gone way down. If there is a disease outbreak, target-specific chemicals are used judiciously. And of course there is the considerable cost avoidance of using their own green waste to make rich compost to use on-site vs. purchasing soil amendments from the outside.

Ms. Lee is always looking for ways to make her program better and more sustainable in the future. She has been talking with an extension agent about the possibility of adding vermicomposting (composting with worms) to her organic materials processing operation. She also supports Hualalai Resort’s goal of serving as a model of sustainability for other properties with similar goals.

Organic Nematode Management
By: Amigo Cantisano

Some species of nematodes are plant parasitic, eating the roots of plants. These near microscopic "worms" eat the tips of young roots, inhibiting plant vigor and sometimes causing plant death. Many species infect the roots with pathogens carried within the nematode; others allow the disease organisms entrance to the root through the wounds caused by the nematode feeding. Attack by some species stops the flow of water through the root system, causing stunting and premature plant death due to desiccation, particularly during prolonged drought or heat stress. There are many species of plant parasitic nemas, but most are under biological control by other microbes which exist in the soil. Many farming practices starve the good guys leaving only the host susceptible crop for the pest nemas to feed on. Water stressed crops and plants grown on low organic matter, gravelly or sandy soils are most susceptible, but nemas can appear in many soils and crops. Nemas are more commonly a problem on perennial plants but can also damage annual crops.
Crops infected with nemas will show signs of reduced, weak growth, smaller than normal leaves, reduced cane or limb growth, damaged roots and if very high populations are present, plant death. If you suspect nema damage check the roots of the plants with a magnifying lens to determine if they have been eaten, stunted or otherwise damaged. Damaged roots may appear stubby, "knotty", constricted, "scraggly", pinched, black or dark brown as compared with normal white pointed root tips. Some species cause abnormal swelling of portions of the roots. Laboratory testing can confirm species and level of infestation.

The best overall technique to reduce nematodes is to increase the soils organic matter and humus content using compost, manures and cover crops. These materials feed beneficial soil microbes as they decompose, stimulating the good guys that feed on nemas. Most nema infected soils will dramatically respond to increased organic matter and humus. There are a number of nematode predatory fungi which can be stimulated through compost applications.

Apply at least 10 tons per acre high quality aerobically composted manure based compost, incorporated immediately after spreading. In perennials apply at least 50% under the vine or tree row, the remainder in the alleys. Annual applications at this rate are recommended until reduction or control is achieved.

Grow vigorous legume and grain cover crops in rainy months, in combination with the mustards and radish varieties noted below.

For immediate reduction of a population of nemas causing plant damage the following plants and materials offer excellent pest reduction using non-toxic, organic methods.
African Marigolds (Tagetes Minuta) This plant secretes a compound which is toxic to nematodes. Planted in a solid stand as rotation cover crop, interplanted in perennials or harvested when in bloom, extracted using water, the extract can be irrigated onto the soil as a nematicide. Planted at 8-12 pounds per acre during warm weather. Needs irrigation, except in rainy warm climates. California Poppy This drought tolerant perennial can be interplanted in perennials, where it secretes compounds toxic to nematodes. Suited only for non tilled sites, as the poppy takes at least a year of undisturbed growth to effect reduction of nemas. Planted at 6-15 pounds per acre. Best where occasionally irrigated during dry months. Cowpeas Vigorous hot weather cover crop legume reduces some species of nemas when incorporated after bloom. Planted at 20-40 # per acre during warm months. Requires 100 days to maturity. Needs limited irrigation in most climates. Iron and Clay, or Chinese Red varieties have the highest nematicidal activity.

Farewell and Biolizer NC Biological Nematacides -- These are cultures of beneficial Streptomyces bacteria which feed on Chitin, a major component of the structure of soil pests such as nematodes, phylloxera, root aphids and symphyllans. The organism secretes an enzyme which destroys the skeletal structures of it's host thus causing death. Field trials show 60+% reduction in most nematodes in less than 30 days. The Streptomyces feed on all stages of the pests, eggs through adult and are suspended in a culture of food which ensures their growth in the field. When they come in contact with the pests, they consume them and multiply, thus ensuring future control. Endswell and Biolizer NC are water soluble and can be applied through irrigation systems and sprayers. Rates of use vary, based on soil temperature and texture. Application rates range from 5-15 gallons per acre, per application. Two treatments, 2-3 weeks apart are commonly effective. Biolizer also contains enzyme digested fish. DiTerra Biological Nematicide--This environmentally safe biological fungicide and nematicide contains strains of live, naturally occurring Pseudomonas cepacia soil bacteria that colonize and grow on plant roots, preventing attack by fungi and rootknot, lesion, spiral, lance and sting nemas. This material is applied as a liquid through the irrigation system during the active root growing period. Application rates vary with the level of the infestation and the time of the year and growth rate.

Sesame Stalks and Roots-- Sesame contains high levels of at least three compounds toxic to nematodes, yet non toxic to humans and animals. When incorporated into the soil, and activated with water, sesame stalks and roots slowly dissolve, releasing the active compounds. Scientific and farmer confirmed reports of plant growth response and high nematode reduction when is grown in rotation or added to nematode infected soils. Active against most species of nemas including Root Knot, Dagger (XI & XA), Ring, Pin, Lesion, Stubby Root, Spiral, Citrus and others. Application rate is 200-500# per acre of dried sesame stalk; approximately 2000-3000# per acre of fresh material. Sesame is a hot weather annual grown as a cover crop with irrigation.

Oil Seed Radish--Specially bred radish contains compounds which reduce many nema species when incorporated after growing as a cover crop. Generally grown as a cool weather annual. Particularly active against cyst and sting nematodes. Seed may be harvested for oil pressing, similar to Canola qualities. Planted at 20-40# per acre, broadcast or drilled (1/2-2 pounds per 1000 sq. ft). There are various varieties of oil seed radish on the market.

Caliente 119 and Oriental Mustards- These are varieties of mustard high in the mustard oil compounds (metho isocyanates) which act as nematicides. Fall planted at 15-40# per acre; can be mixed with other cover crop species. Spring blooming. Can also be spring or summer planted in mild or coastal climates, with irrigation or regular rainfall. Maximum effect when incorporated immediately after mowing during full bloom. Growth to 4 feet, good weed suppression ability.

Shrimp or Crab Shell Meal-- A combination slow release organic fertilizer and nematicide derived from ground shrimp or crab shells. Shrimp and crab shells are very high in Chitin and feed Chitin eating fungi as the meal decomposes. When the fungi have consumed the meal they are now in high population and hungry for more Chitin. At this point they begin feeding rapidly on nemas, adults and eggs, as the "skin" of nemas are very high in chitin. This material will take 4-8 months to reduce the nemas, but has the benefit of providing fertility to the crop as it decomposes. Most active in warm, moist soils. Quicker decomposition and nematode reduction if incorporated with a high Nitrogen fertilizer such as blood meal, fish meal, or manure or when turning under a high N legume cover crop. Contains 5% Nitrogen, 8% Phosphate, 15% Calcium, 18% Chitin and trace minerals. Application rates are 500-2000 pounds per acre (12-50 pounds per 1000 sq. ft.) The heavier rates are for high levels of nema damage or for use as a slow release fertilizer. A micronized version of this material, Eco Poly 21, offers the convenience of fertigation application through most irrigation systems including drip. This material is used at rates of 10-50# per acre, with 2-3 applications needed for optimum control. Best applied when soils are warm and moist.

Sudangrass--This hot weather corn relative adds copious quantities of organic matter (growth to 8' in some soils) and secretes cyanic acid from it's roots as it decomposes. This compound is active against nematodes, phylloxera, symphyllans. Plant in warm weather at 35-50 pounds per acre (1-2 pounds/ 1000 sq. ft.)

On-site consultation available in February 2006 with Amigo!

Organic Ag Advisors:

530-292-3619 office
530-292-3688 fax
orgamigo@jps.net

Announcing CTAHR’s Organic Website By: Hector Valenzuela, Jody Smith, and Ted Radovich

On behalf of the newly established UH CTAHR’s Organic Working Group, we wish to announce the launch of our new website Organic Agriculture at CTAHR: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/organic/

CTAHR’s Organic Working Group is composed of a wide spectrum of agricultural professionals within our college who are interested in and dedicated to promoting organic farming and ecological agriculture in Hawai‘i. Some of us are well known to Hawaii’s organic community, while others may be newcomers or long-time researchers who bring years of training and experience to share with the organic farming community. We provide guidance to our college relating to organic production within the areas of research, extension and instruction.

CTAHR’s scientists and staff aspire to:

Improve the production, market share and quality of organic agricultural products in Hawai'i

Increase our understanding of ecological processes in organic systems, and

Develop new academic program options for undergraduate and graduate students interested in organic agriculture.

Our CTAHR Organic Website is modest at this point; however, it has three features that are immediately helpful to organic farmers.

List of CTAHR contacts: Use this list of resource people and their emails to network with our agricultural professionals.

Resources and Links: Access introductory information on topics related to organic agriculture and suggest new links to add.

ORGANIC-L Listserve: Hawaii's forum for discussion about organic agriculture, sign up to exchange ideas about everything organic – policy, helpful hints, marketing, the latest news.

What does the future hold for us? Some of our short range plans include:

Getting farming plots at our experiment stations certified, to allow us to conduct research

Survey our partners within the organic community to prioritize research needs for the industry

Develop grant proposals relating to organic agriculture

Obtain funding to hire additional CTAHR faculty and staff to work in organics and agro-ecology

Partner with HOFA to deliver introductory workshops on organic farming.

We recognize that HOFA has been a pioneer in the promotion and development of organic agriculture in Hawai’i. As the Organic Working Group moves forward with these efforts, we encourage HOFA members and others interested in ecological agriculture to contact us with your ideas, suggestions and insights.

We invite you to visit our website and to join the ORGANIC-L listserve. We look forward to hearing from you and working together towards a common goal of supporting Hawaii’s organic industry.

Mile Marker 16; An Apprentice Story By: Lisa Waud

At Mile Marker 16 on Kula Highway, the back way to Hana, you take a right onto a dirt road overlooking Kihei and the West Maui mountains. After a mile of potholes, you’ll see the wooden gate with a carved name—Herenui. Be sure to shut the gate behind you so Kona and Kava, the farm dogs, don’t get out. You pull up the driveway in an old farm truck, a Maui Cruiser as they call it.

On your right is the nursery. The glycine you weeded last year has come back, as expected. Later tonight, after it cools off, you’ll pull the vine off the shade house and from under the lava-rock wall. The repotted cacao plants will need watering in the morning, and tomorrow, as with everyday, you’ll marvel at your job, nurturing organic chocolate plants. You smile, thinking of your newest discovery—ice cream bean. A pod that you crack open to suck out creamy nectar. Only in the tropics can you find such a delight.

As you drive up near the garage, you see Barbara’s truck in her spot. She’s the caretaker of Herenui, and indeed takes great care of the farm. Up early Monday, Wednesday, Friday, when you meet in the nursery for the morning work session. Tuesdays and Thursdays she has yoga in Haiku, and you have your landscaping job in Kula for extra cash. Weekends are yours to explore the island, hiking the lava tubes up Olinda, camping at Seven Pools, visiting friends in Lahaina.

After switching off the truck (and leaving the keys in the ignition, Maui style) you can hear the birds that live in the mango grove. They crackle and rustle until the neighborhood rooster belts out his squawk to silence them. You’re almost used to the bird’s internal clock, which is random, though always once during the night. It doesn’t startle you anymore, similar to the thump of avocados on the metal roof of your cabin.

Your cabin, the studio off the garage, is yellow with turquoise trim. You share it with your traveling companion and it’s the perfect size. You don’t spend much time inside, anyway, even at night, the weather is idyllic. You haven’t worn more than a t-shirt and shorts in a couple weeks. The cabin is primarily for sleeping, especially considering that all the facilities are outside. The toilet is on the western edge of the property, under a breadfruit tree. And the shower—the shower is unbelievable. Set on a platform made of smooth rocks hauled from the south shore and curtained in potted bamboo, you scrub the salt out of your hair while the whales breech near the little crater of an island, Molokini.

Just beyond Molokini, the sun sets over Kaho’olawe. You watch the show from the pool deck, where you write postcards or read. Some nights, when you have visitors, you have a potluck dinner. A few folks are relatives, most are friends, but together you create your Maui Ohana. One of the first words you learned in Hawaiian was ohana, the word for family.

Most mornings, you water the nursery plants, then do some weeding. You’ve also helped Barbara clean out the garage, tidy up the owner’s house. She has an arrangement with the land owner, and you have an arrangement with her. The days you work together, you talk and laugh. She is your mom away from mom, and coincidentally grew up just miles from your own mother in Michigan. She tells you about sailing around the world and loving her sons and her activism—modestly she’ll tell you she’s a founding member of GMO Free Maui. Then she asks you what your childhood was like, how you found out about the work-trade program in Hawaii, and what happened in-between. Working with Barbara, you notice that she walks like a dancer, twists her hair when she talks, and calls you her little angels.

It’s an incredible trade—you stay in Maui in exchange for a handful of hours of your time (although quite literally blood, sweat, and tears.) But you like to think of it in terms of Maui taking care of you, and you taking care of Maui. And in that sense, you discover the spirit of aloha.

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA)
P.O. Box 6863, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 969-7789 Toll Free: (877) 674-4632 Fax: (808) 969-7759
Email: hofa@hawaiiorganicfarmers.org
Copyright 2002