Organic Certification Cost-Share program - Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA)
UH CTAHR - Organic Agiculture Working Group
Hawaii Farmers Union
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Support for Organic Growers
Hawai'i SEED
2010 Hawai'i Community Stewardship Directory now available
Hawaii Invasive Species Committees
Hawai'i Agritourism Association
Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association
Big Island: Hawaii Homegrown Food Network
Hawaii State Department of Health - Permits
Big Island farmers getting federal help

Organic Certification Cost-Share program - Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA)

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has entered into two separate cooperative agreements with the Agricultural Marketing Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reimburse a portion of the cost of organic certification.  Both of these agreements are in effect between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010.  Under the terms of these agreements, certified organic producers and handlers may be reimbursed 75% of the cost of new or continued certification, up to a maximum of $750. This is a continuation of the previous cooperative agreements which expired on September 30, 2009.

USDA Organic Certification Cost-Share Programs

For the Application Form, click here

For the W-9 Form (Tax Form), click here

CONTACT INFO:

Hawai'i Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Development Division
Market Development Branch
1428 South King Street
Honolulu, HI, 96814-2512

Phone: (808) 973-9595
Fax: (808) 973-9590

E-mail:  hdoa.md@hawaii.gov   

HDOA homepage

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UH CTAHR - Organic Agiculture Working Group

University of Hawaii - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (UH CTAHR)
Organic Agiculture Working Group

CTAHR's Organic Pages

CTAHR's Sustainable Agriculture Newsletter "Hanai 'Ai"

[T]he mission of the Organic Agriculture Working Group at the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) is to:
• Improve the production, marketshare 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.

HAWAII-SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON ORGANIC FARMING

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Hawaii Farmers Union

Hawaii Farmers Union homepage

HFU is the newest subdivision of the National Farmers Union, established 1902. There are chapters on O'ahu, Kaua'i, Big Island, and Maui.

HAWAII FARMERS UNION MISSION STATEMENT

Hawaii Farmers Union advances the rights of farmers to create vibrant and prosperous agricultural communities for the benefit of all through cooperation, legislation and education.

HAWAII FARMERS UNION VISION STATEMENT

Hawai‘i Farmers Union serves as a resource and catalyst for the organization and empowerment of farmers. We advocate for the rights of people to earn a prosperous living through the restorative stewardship of our lands, waters, and communities.

Hawai‘i Farmers Union values the spirit of cooperation, education, and the development of cooperatives. We affirm food sovereignty and promote the creation of healthy, vibrant communities that feed everyone through respect for the ‘aina (that which feeds) and the pono (proper) use of our natural resources.

Hawai‘i Farmers Union honors the past and supports indigenous rights and cultural traditions in agriculture. We nurture and inspire our youth to expand and grow the vision of this organization. Hawai‘i Farmers Union provides a model of prosperity and abundance while recognizing our innate connection to all things. 

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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Support for Organic Growers

 EQIP Organic Home Page

Hawai'i SEED

Hawai`i SEED is a statewide non-profit coalition of grassroots groups composed of farmers, doctors, scientists, lawyers, concerned citizens, and Native Hawaiians. Hawai`i SEED works on five islands to educate the public about the risks posed by genetically engineered organisms, and are dedicated to promoting diverse, local, healthy and ecological food and farming that supports real food security for the Hawaiian Islands.

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2010 Hawai'i Community Stewardship Directory now available

The Hawai'i Community Stewardship Directory has been updated for 2010. It is now available for online viewing and/or download. Click here to view or download.

The Community Stewardship Directory is an ongoing effort of the Hawai‘i Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program to help community groups and organizations connect with each other to share their experiences and lessons learned in natural and cultural resources management. The Directory is one element to implement the Hawai‘i Ocean Resources Management Plan (ORMP). The ORMP, revised in 2006 and available through the CZM Program website, promotes place‐, culture‐, and community‐based approaches to natural and cultural resource management and charts a new course of action that advocates for the community and all levels of government to work together collaboratively. The Directory will be updated periodically.

The 2010 update includes 112 community-based organizations working in Hawai'i. The directory continues to expand and include ever more organizations that are working so hard to conserve, protect, and manage Hawai'i's precious natural and cultural resources.

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Hawaii Invasive Species Committees

Invasive Species Committees of Hawaii (ISCs)

The Invasive Species Committees of Hawaii (ISCs) are island-based partnerships of government agencies, non-government organizations, and private businesses working to protect each island from the most threatening invasive pests. Each ISC partnership also has a paid staff and field crew to implement rapid response and control plans.

The ISCs formed on each island to address the need for rapid response and control work on new invasive pests that have the potential to severely impact the economy, ecosystem, watersheds, human health, and quality of life. A driving objective of the ISCs is to control the most threatening pests while populations are still relatively small and it is economically feasible to control or eliminate them.

The Invasive Species Committees of Hawaii include:

Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)

Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC)

Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)

Molokai Invasive Species Committee (MoISC)

Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC)

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Hawai'i Agritourism Association

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Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association

Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association
http://www.foodsofhawaii.com/

Why foods made in Hawaii?

Diversity: World famous macadamia nuts, Kona coffee and golden pineapples are well known Hawaii products. But these are only the beginning of the creative products that reflect our island life. Other HFMA products include tropical fruits and vegetables, seasonings, cooking oil, meats, seafood, condiments, frozen dishes, snacks, beverages, and the list goes on.

Integrity: To qualify for membership in the HFMA, a member must be producing one or more products within the State of Hawaii. This means that HFMA members manufacture and distribute authentic products that represent genuine tastes and flavors of Hawaii. 

Quality: Superb ingredients add a distinctive measure of quality to our products. Rich volcanic soil, pristine coastal waters, and year-round tropical climate are ideal conditions for grass fed livestock, fresh seafood and produce.

Uniqueness: The foods of Hawaii reflect rich traditions and diverse cultures that make up contemporary Hawaii. Polynesian, Asian, European plus North and South American influences can all be found in our island cuisine.

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Big Island: Hawaii Homegrown Food Network

Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network

Building local, sustainable food communities on the Island of Hawai'i

Features information on:
 - becoming food self-reliant
  - events, resources, happenings, locally grown food
  - buying, selling, sharing, and learning
Sign up for their:
  - monthly newsletter
Online community, blog, and events listings.

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Hawaii State Department of Health - Permits

Organic Processors: please visit the Hawaii State DOH Food and Drug Branch's web page to access downloadable application forms for Food Establishment Sanitation Permits in your island/district.

For the text of the Hawaii state law that applies, visit the 
HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
TITLE 11 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CHAPTER 12 - FOOD ESTABLISHMENT SANITATION
§11-12-5 Permits

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Big Island farmers getting federal help

HONOLULU — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated the Big Island a primary natural disaster area, because of losses farmers suffered from volcanic emissions this year.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday in a Washington news release that he and President Obama understand the emissions from Kilauea volcano caused serious harm to farms.

Vilsack says the designation will provide help to hundreds of farmers who suffered significant production losses in the cut flower and fresh produce industries.

The Big Island was designated a natural disaster area Nov. 24. The action makes qualified Big Island farm operators eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the department's Farm Service Agency.

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