Aloha everyone!
We wanted to share some really fun updates about what's happening in our farming community. As we spend time with our farmers and reflect on our own experiences growing on our land, we noticed what we have and what we're missing. We are always aiming for both short and long term success for the entire community, and that takes a lot of work to put into action. As we continue to reflect, we wanted to share our reflections and success!
Supporting local agriculture means more than simply purchasing ingredients. We truly believe in investing in the farmers who help make our teas possible and creating opportunities that strengthen Hawaiʻi's agricultural community for the long term.
Over the past year, we've distributed more than 10,000 seeds and seedlings to farmers across Hawaiʻi Island through our Seed Share Program. These seeds help farmers diversify their crops, experiment with new growing opportunities, and build more resilient farms. By making planting materials more accessible, we hope to remove some of the barriers that can make expansion difficult for small growers.
We've also developed digital and printable moon planting guides to help farmers stay connected to traditional planting practices while organizing their growing schedules. These easy-to-use resources provide a practical way to track planting cycles throughout the year and support successful harvests. (Link coming soon!)
For farmers interested in expanding beyond crop production, we've created mini workbooks and educational activities designed to support agritourism efforts. Whether welcoming school groups, community organizations, or visitors to the farm, these resources help farmers create engaging educational experiences while sharing their knowledge and generating additional income streams.
When local farmers succeed, entire communities benefit. Strong farms create local jobs, strengthen food security, preserve agricultural knowledge, and keep more resources circulating within Hawaiʻi.
We're grateful for every farmer who chooses to grow alongside us, and we remain committed to finding new ways to support the people who care for the land and help nourish our communities.
We'd love to hear from you! Our inbox and comment section is always open for suggestions and thoughts.