Want to farm on the Garden Isle? AgXposure course still accepting applications on Kaua‘i

Interested in growing crops on Kaua‘i? Potential farmers on the Garden Isle have until Sept. 30 to submit applications to AgXposure, a month-long course introducing participants to the ins and outs of small-scale commercial farming.

AgXposure is one of several courses offered by GoFarm Hawai‘i, a University of Hawai‘i program that promotes fresh, locally-grown produce throughout a state that imports about 90% of its food.

“GoFarm’s main mission is to help create a more resilient food system by increasing local production,” said Lily Nguyen, GoFarm’s program manager. “We hope to do that through small-scale farming and empowering small-scale farmers to be part of that change.”

Prior farming experience is not needed to participate in the 14th AgXposure cohort on Kaua‘i, which will meet semiweekly throughout the month of October.

GoFarm is supported through a variety of federal, state, county and private funding. Participants pay a nominal fee. AgXposure costs $50, while more advanced programs’ costs are dependent on certain factors. They also are provided with all the necessary materials and supplies.

Online classes held Thursdays will focus on the business of small-scale farming, while field trips on Saturdays will take the participants to established farms across the island.

Farms visited in past years have included Umi’s Farm in Kekaha, Jerry O’s Farm and Tropical Flowers Express in Wailuā, Rainbow Roots in Puhi, as well as operations in Moloa‘a and Lāwa‘i.

AgXposure participants get their hands dirty during these tours of local farms with planting, weeding, pruning and pulling crops like lettuce, vanilla and kalo, or taro. Sometimes there are bird nets to be sewn, irrigation leaks to repair and barn roofs to be secured.

Jin-Wah Lau is GoFarm’s farm coach on Kaua‘i. Since 2014, 175 individuals have participated in AgXposure on the island.

The vast majority of GoFarm participants find employment in the agriculture business, with 80% going on to work in farming. Another 10% work in the food system in some other way.

“Participants hear from farmers about their crop decisions, how their farm journey began, challenges in farming and why they stuck with it,” said Lau, who’s also leading a free cucumber course this autumn. “They’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions, make connections and see if farming is what they want to pursue.”

Graduates of AgXposure may go on to join AgXcel, a six-month course requiring its farmers to maintain a 2,500-square-foot vegetable plot.

AgXcel leads into AgIncubator, an up to three-year course providing access to equipment, infrastructure, coaching and one quarter-acre or less of land at a GoFarm site behind Kaua‘i Community College in Puhi.

GoFarm’s AgBusiness Team helps participants develop agricultural businesses through workshops on marketing, cost of production and financial planning.

“I had pretty good knowledge about food security from reading … But almost nothing about growing plants and absolutely nothing about planning, growing and marketing produce at the start of the program,” said Kurt Rutter, a member of the 11th AgXposure cohort on Kaua‘i.

Rutter, now in AgIncubator while operating Tokabago Farm, added: “The program accelerated our growth and helped us start seriously growing our business into an LLC and a sustainable farm operation.”

For more information about AgXposure, the Kauaʻi cucumber screenhouse course and other GoFarm programs throughout Hawai‘i, visit Gofarmhawaii.org.

Applications for AgXposure and the Kauaʻi cucumber screenhouse course may be found here and here. AgXposure applicants are expected to view a recorded informational session available on YouTube.