GoFarm Hawaiʻi seeking people interested in farming for its 15th Kauaʻi cohort

GoFarm Hawaiʻi, a farmer development program, is recruiting for its 15th Kauaʻi cohort that begins on Oct. 2 with an informational webinar.

Since its inception in 2012, GoFarm Hawaiʻi has offered a nontraditional pathway to a career in agriculture. Through its programs across the state, the organization works to enhance Hawaiʻi’s food availability and economy by increasing the number of sustainable agricultural producers.

The most popular program is the beginning farmer training program, which allows people of all ages to learn about the various aspects of farming. Some participants may want to become commercial farmers, while others seek help with their personal gardens.

Participants are asked to complete the intensive program by progressing sequentially through three phases.

The first phase is called “AgCurious,” which is a free informational webinar that explains the entire program. The two-to-three-hour class is set for 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 2, and will also provide instructions about how to apply for the next phase called “AgXposure.”

The second phase, which spans four to five weekend days, allows students to complete theoretical and practical coursework related to the fundamentals of crop farming. “AgXposure” requires an application and a $50 fee.

Participants in this phase have the opportunity to visit commercial farms and learn what life could be like if an agricultural career is pursued.

After “AgXposure,” participants are invited to apply for the “AgXcel” phase of the program.

It is a more competitive phase and costs $500. The phase includes six months of classes held online on one weeknight and in person every Saturday.

The third phase gives participants a chance to practice on-farm techniques related to small-scale commercial production and apply lessons learned in class to establish, plant and maintain a 2,500-square-foot plot.

Participants will learn the fundamental principles underlying a broad spectrum of agriculture, specifically in production and business. They develop a business goal, sell and market a product they are growing, meet a specific sales goal, and network to learn about resources available to further their knowledge after the program.

Students can expect to put a minimum of 20 hours per week into maintaining crops outside of class. If all requirements are met, participants receive a Certificate of Professional Development and are invited to expand their knowledge with more programs.

In 2024, GoFarm Hawaiʻi reported that it had 88 AgXcel students statewide, with 50 graduating from the program and 38 continuing their education. The average age of participants was 44.

“We have a huge demographic of people who apply to this program, with the average age being around 40,” GoFarm Hawaiʻi Director Janel Yamamoto said. “It is a life-consuming process, so you have to be dedicated and make sure your family members are all in for the ride.”

In the past three years, 90% of GoFarm graduates have launched a farm business or entered the agricultural workforce.

As a hobby beekeeper and gardener, Kurt “Toke” Rutter applied for the GoFarm program in Kauaʻi in 2022 with the intention of creating a self-supporting farm that provides supplemental income beyond expenses.

“I had pretty good knowledge about food security, but knew almost nothing about growing plants, and absolutely nothing about planning, growing and marketing produce,” Rutter said. “The program accelerated our growth and helped us start seriously growing our business into an LLC and sustainable farm operation.”

After completing AgXcel, Rutter joined GoFarm’s AgIncubator program, where he farms half an acre of land at Kauaʻi’s Haʻikū site, where his family is also able to work. Tokabago Farm grows cucumbers, asparagus, tomatoes, peppers, edamame, cabbage, lettuce and more.

“We see so much potential for agriculture in Hawaiʻi to diversify and grow, and we also see broad support from the community, industry and government towards this mission,” Yamamoto said. “We choose to create and participate in these collective efforts across the food system to build a network of people working towards the same goal.”

For those interested in improving farming production and agribusiness skills or learning more about the program at Kauaʻi’s Haʻikū site, register for “AgCurious” online.