Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association
Specialty Farmer Business Training Workshop
Friday, October 21, 2016
9 AM – 3 PM
Hilo Yacht Club
77 Laehala Street
Hilo, HI 96720
RSVP: hfia@hawaiiforest.org by October 1, 2016
The workshop is free of charge with limited seating. Morning coffee and lunch will be served.
About the Workshop
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Hawaii Business Instructors will conduct the Specialty Farmer Business Training Workshop. While this workshop is part of the ‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project, topics will be applicable to those interested in growing or selling Christmas trees as well as other agricultural crops.
Topics:
Business Planning
Financial Management
Marketing
Workshop Funders
State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture
US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Marketing Service
About the ‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project
The ‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project involves importing and propagating seed and outplanting fir trees on Hawai‘i Island. Our goal is to show that Douglas fir and Grand fir are suitable for Hawai‘i production and to establish protocols and methods to create top quality Christmas trees that can compete with the imported trees in our local markets. The project also includes webpages, educational materials, and workshops.
Why Are We Growing Local Christmas Trees?
According to the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, shipments of Christmas trees from the Pacific Northwest have been found to be widely infested with slugs and other pests that are not found in Hawai‘i. The concern about the heavy infestation of slugs is that they may carry the parasite, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, or rat lungworm, which causes a disease that affects the human brain and spinal cord. Once an invasive pest or disease becomes established in Hawai‘i, it may have a devastating impact on Hawai‘i agriculture by causing damage to crops and is often costly for the state and growers to control. These invasive species can be very harmful to Hawaii’s unique ecosystems. Providing the Hawaiian Islands with locally grown Christmas trees will support import replacement and promote the “Buying Local, It Matters” message.
‘Āina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project Partners
Hawai‘i Forest Institute; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife; County of Hawai‘i Department of Research & Development; College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; Hawaii Invasive Species Council; USDA Forest Service; Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance.