Ag In The Classroom

Grand Taste and Inaugural Grand Dessert at Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair [Maui Now]

The Grand Taste event at Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair just got sweeter, as presenter Maui County Farm Bureau adds on the final course: Grand Desserts. Both culinary events will take place during AgFest on Saturday, June 3, at War Memorial Special Events Field. Event organizers say, “Maui’s best chefs know that nothing tastes better than locally grown produce, island-raised meat and fresh-caught seafood.” In this year’s Grand Taste, sponsored by ʻUlupono Initiative, 11 Maui chefs will utilize specific ingredients to highlight in the competition to see who can create the best main dish or “potluck” dish. Maui’s top… Read More »Grand Taste and Inaugural Grand Dessert at Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair [Maui Now]

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ March 2022

MCFB Names New Board Members For the new two-year term, Maui County Farm Bureau retained some current board members and elected some new ones. New board members include Bobbie Patnode and Jayson Watts. Bobbie Patnode, DirectorBobbie Patnode is the “mom partner” in Patnode Family Farm, together with husband Jack and son Ben. The Patnodes have been farming commercially on Maui since 2012. Their farm on Crater Road grows mostly root vegetables such as Japanese and Korean daikon, beets, watermelon radish, onions, and more, all using organic methods.  Being up high (3,700 feet), they are able to grow fruits like peaches… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ March 2022

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ June 2021

New Country Market at Waikapū is all things Maui A few months ago, Manu Vinciguerra of Kumu Farms called to share the good news—they’re opening a bigger store in Waikapū dedicated to Maui agricultural produce and products. “We want to make AgFest happen every day at our store!” she said.  The Country Market at Waikapū officially opened on June 1 at Maui Tropical Plantation. Now instead of buying produce from the Kumu Farms Farm Stand, customers can expand their shopping in the spacious new store with many other local products, including artwork and specialty coffee, teas and accessories. The Country Market… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ June 2021

Maui County Farm Bureau Presents ‘Ag in the Classroom’ Video & Activity Booklet

KULA, Maui, HI (May 12, 2021) – Until regulations allow more than 1,200 second-graders to pile onto school buses and head Upcountry again, Maui County Farm Bureau is pleased to provide a virtual version of its popular “Agriculture in the Classroom” (AIC) program. The new video and activity booklet feature lessons from local farmers, ranchers and agriculture educators. Since 2006, MCFB’s AIC program has been sharing knowledge about local agriculture with students, both in their classrooms and on an annual field trip Upcountry to the heart of Maui’s ag community at Haleakala Ranch. With current conditions in 2021, a different… Read More »Maui County Farm Bureau Presents ‘Ag in the Classroom’ Video & Activity Booklet

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ May 2021

‘Agriculture in the Classroom’ Returns with Video & Activity Booklet This year, instead of the students coming to the farm, the farm comes to the students! Maui County Farm Bureau’s popular “Agriculture in the Classroom” (AIC) program has been around since 2006, and usually features an annual field trip that takes kids Upcountry to the heart of Maui’s ag community at Haleakala Ranch. But for 2021, teams from Haleakala Ranch, Maui Electric, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources and UH Maui’s Master Gardener Program, Bayer, and Maui Soil & Water Conservation Districts have put together an educational video and… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ May 2021

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ January 2021

First of all, we want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, the Year of the Ox. It is time to look ahead and work towards an improved future in Maui County. The new year brings the beginning of the state legislative session which began on Wednesday, January 20. We have heard from legislators that bills that require funding will be difficult to pass due to the projected $1.4 billion budget shortfall. Presently, there are many unknowns and the state’s spending will depend on current data. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau normally introduces a package of 8-10 legislative priorities every session.  However,… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ January 2021

MCFB E-Newsletter ~ December 2020

Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season from Maui County Farm Bureau Board of Directors On behalf of MCFB’s board of directors and myself, happy holidays! We wish all of you a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. In this special season, some Japanese families make Kadomatsu. Kadomatsu is a green decoration made of pine, bamboo and plum (ume) trees symbolizing longevity, prosperity and sturdiness. From right after Christmas until January 7, Kadomatsu is believed to provide temporary housing for the toshigami sama (deity) in order to ensure a great harvest and blessings from the family’s ancestors on everyone in… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ December 2020

Careers in Agriculture

More than 200 different agricultural-related careers exist, and as diversified agriculture, research, and technology expand, so do new opportunities. Ag careers roughly fall into four categories. Agricultural education for many of these careers can often be found within the State of Hawaii. Visit University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources for more information. Farming, Ranching, Agricultural Management: Focus: Entry-level positions. Education needed: Business- and computer know-how. Agricultural schooling is preferred. Agricultural Engineering: Focus: Economical solutions through cost-effective, commercial applications. Education needed: A college degree in science, mathematics, or computer programming is helpful. Agricultural and food science: Focus:… Read More »Careers in Agriculture