Agroforestry.org - Kauai Workshop

Written by Craig Elevitch and Paul Massey. Posted in Projects

The 2-day "Creative Agroforestry for Home, Farm, and Community Landscapes" workshop was held at Anaina Hou Community Park on April 25-26, 2015. Fifty-five participants attended the lively workshop, which consisted of a series of presentations by eight presenters, followed by a day of field tours of agroforestry sites in the Kilauea area. Participants included landscapers, agricultural professionals, agricultural extension, community planners, farmers, ranchers, and homeowners.

The workshop began by honoring the wisdom and traditions of native Hawaiians, as expressed through agroforestry practices and ecological stewardship. The Hawaiian experience was placed within the larger context of Pacific islander agroforestry, each culture with its distinctive mix of species, yet repeating a consistent theme. Principles of integrated pest management and its application in agroforestry systems was explored. The University of Hawai’i’s ongoing research into cost-effective organic soil amendments with recommendations on their use was also covered. A primer was offered on proper planting, establishment, and pruning of fruit trees. Livestock can be a valuable addition to agroforestry systems, and some of the most popular choices for Hawai'i were presented. How we plan for, implement, and perpetuate agroforestry landscapes in private and public spaces is essential to their success, and example stories and suggestions were given. Discussion circles, led by the workshop presenters, allowed participants to explore their area of interest further. Visits to three contrasting field sites revealed the challenges and opportunities inherent to working agroforestry systems.

Fifty-five participants including landscapers, farmers, extension agents, and homeowners attended the workshop at Anaina Hou Community Park in Kilauea, Kauai.
Presenters (left to right): Paul Massey, Bino Castelo, Craig Elevitch, Amjad Ahmad, Milan Rupert, Talia Abrams, Colleen Carroll, and Hector Valenzuela. Not pictured: Matt Stevenson.
Presenters gave a talk plus had one-on-one conversations with participants during a one hour breakout session. Here, Hector Valenzuela covers concepts in natural pest and disease control.
An ono vegetarian lunch prepared from local ingredients was catered by Natalie Urminska.
Bino Castelo led tours of the agroforestry landscapes at Kaua'i Mini Golf & Botanical Garden.
Kaua'i Mini Golf & Botanical Garden takes visitors on a journey through indigenous, culturally significant, and introduced flora.
Bino introduces participants to the wauke (paper mulberry) patch at Kaua'i Mini Golf.
Paul Massey (back to camera) leads participants in a tour of Kaua'i Food Forest.
Mark Olson leads a group of participants through the Kaua'i Food Forest.
Sun Hadley leads the tour of One Song Farm, which promotes "Genuine Sustainability."
Sun Hadley guided participants through a young agroforest at One Song Farm.
Chuck Estin explains the pond system and legacy agroforestry systems at One Song Farm.

Speakers included

Bino Castelo (Cultural perspectives on agroforestry)
Craig Elevitch (Traditional Pacific Island and modern agroforestry systems) Craig's presentation #1 Craig's presentation #2
Hector Valenzuela (Pests and diseases) Hector's presentation
Amjad Ahmad (local sources of soil fertility) Amjad's presentation
Milan Rupert (Edible landscaping) Milan's presentation
Matt Stevenson (livestock in agroforestry) Matt's presentation
Colleen Carroll (Urban forestry)
Talia Abrams (Kaua'i urban forestry project)

The field tours were presented by

Sun Hadley Owner, One Song Farm
Bino Castelo, Botanical Manager, Kaua'i Mini Golf
Paul Massey Director, Regenerations Botanical Garden and Kaua'i Food Forest
Mark Olson, Rob Cruz, Krista Ruchaber, Nicolai Barca, and Aroshn Gudbrandsen, Kaua'i Food Forest