FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2013
Free value-added guide for Hawai'i producers released
HOLUALOA, HAWAI'I – A free 58-page guide entitled, Adding Value to Locally Grown Crops in Hawai‘i: A Guide for Small Farm Enterprise Innovation is now available. Because of the high cost of labor, land, and materials in Hawai‘i, family farms are only economically sustainable if they can produce high-quality products that are valued above cheap imports. This guide helps growers add value to all aspects of their farm enterprise and offers resources for further developing their strategies. “If you cherish the farming lifestyle and want to keep farming, you have to make your farm profitable. This guide goes a long way towards showing how to escape from the fatal trap of commoditization by adding value for the consumer,” observes Dr. Kent Fleming, an extension economist who has developed numerous cost-of-production spreadsheets for the University of Hawai'i and other organizations worldwide.
The guide was authored by Craig Elevitch and Ken Love with input from agricultural professionals statewide. Elevitch is an agroforestry educator whose most recent book Specialty Crops for Pacific Islands (2011) provides insights into sustainable cultivation and processing techniques for local and export markets with an emphasis on production methods, postharvest processing, and marketing. Love, widely known as a passionate advocate for the innovative small farm, is co-owner of Love Family Farms in Kona, Hawai'i, which produces a range of value-added products including jams, jellies, dried fruits, and coffee.
"Adding value is an essential component of small farm sustainability," says Love, who has extensive experience working with farm enterprises. "There are many different ways to add value in growing, processing, and marketing products. This guide is about finding ways of adding value to your operation that are best suited for you and that are ultimately profitable."
The publication was produced with funds from the State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, the Agribusiness Incubator Program of the University of Hawai‘i, and the County of Hawai‘i Department of Research and Development. The guide is available as a free download and a limited number of free hard copies will be available throughout Hawai'i. Distribution locations and a link to download the free guide are listed at www.valueadded.info.
Download your copy of the value-added guide
Download the new publication Adding Value to Locally Grown Crops in Hawai‘i: A Guide for Small Farm Enterprise Innovation by Craig Elevitch and Ken Love (PDF file).
Pick up a hard copy of the value-added guide (limited quantities!)
A limited number of hard copies will be available for pick up at the following locations beginning May 15-20:
Hilo, Hawai'i Island: UH Komohana Research Extension Center, 875 Komohana Street, Hilo, HI 96720, regular office hours
Kona, Hawai'i Island: Keauhou Farmers Market, Saturdays 8:00 am - 12:00 noon
Puna, Hawai'i Island: Kua O Ka La Public Charter School, Makai side main office (Directly beside ‘Ahalanui County Park [warm pond]), school days 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Waimea, Hawai'i Island: Waimea Homestead Farmers Market, Honopua Farms' booth (Roen and Ken Hufford), Saturdays 7:00 am - 12:00 noon
Lihue, Kaua'i: Kaua'i Cooperative Extension Service, State Office Building, 3060 Eiwa Street, Room 210, Lihue, regular office hours
Honolulu, O'ahu: UH Honolulu Extension Office, 1955 East-West Rd. Ag Sci III Room 217, Honolulu, HI 96822, regular office hours
Pearl City, O'ahu: UH Pearl Urban Garden Center, 955 Kamehameha Hwy., Pearl City, regular office hours
Kahuhui, Maui: UH Kahului Extension Office, 310 Kaahumanu Ave., Bldg. 214, Kahului, HI 96732, regular office hours
Moloka'i: UH Moloka'i Cooperative Extension Office, Hoolehua, regular office hours
Inspiration, Imagination, Innovation
Even though hundreds of new crops have been introduced to Hawai‘i over the past 200 years, few continue to be economically viable for family farms when sold as raw commodities. The high cost of labor, land, and necessary supplies to produce a crop in Hawai‘i make most products from the U.S. mainland and many countries far cheaper than local products, despite the costs of shipping.
Most family farms in Hawai‘i can only be economically sustainable if they harvest, process, package, transport, sell, and provide services in ways that add value to their crops. Participants of this workshop will learn about
- An expanded view of adding value to all products and practices
- Ways to focus efforts at minimal cost for maximum effect
- Approaches that control risk
- Resources for planning and funding
Topics covered include adding value in the following areas
- Selecting crops and varieties
- Developing market niches
- Ensuring optimal crop quality
- Processing a range of profitable products
- Packaging and labeling for increased sales
- Developing a valuable brand identity
- Certifications (organic, etc.) that increase sales and profits
- Customer service to strengthen customer loyalty
- Pricing for a range of different markets (wholesale, retail, direct, etc.)
- Market development to increase sales
