Okay, now I am excited. Why? In a word, "biochar." In his introduction to this July 25, 2010 workshop, Craig Elevitch said that biochar will permanently change the way we do agriculture. Yes, it could very well help save ourselves from industrial, high-input agriculture, helping to rapidly repair the soil damage our species has caused while sequestering carbon for a very long time. Organic matter that might otherwise contribute to mounting landfills can also be diverted to the biochar process.

New project announcement—Your input requested

The Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network is pleased to announce Ho'oulu ka 'Ulu, a project to revitalize 'ulu (breadfruit) as an attractive, delicious, nutritious, abundant, affordable, and culturally appropriate food. Please help us assess the Hawai'i Island community's interest in reviving 'ulu by completing a 5-minute survey by Sunday, September 12, 2010. Your survey response is important to help us get started in the right direction on this essential work (and you could win a prize).

Natural Farming with Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) is a method of farming using naturally occurring soil microorganisms that are deliberately collected and cultured. It has been practiced throughout Asia and Korea for centuries. It enhances soil fertility and plant nutrient uptake through the introduction and proliferation of beneficial soil microbes or mycorrhizae. The originator and founder of Natural Farming, Mr. Han Kyu Cho, has visited Hawaii several times and this practice is taking root, getting attention and support from the county and state as well as from many small-scale and commercial farmers.

For years, any time we passed by the Waimea Homestead Farmers Market site it was usually during a week day and the market was closed. A couple of months ago when we were on our way to the Kohala area on a Saturday, we decided to make a stop and check out the market. Two weeks later, a friend invited us to meet her at the market for breakfast. There is a breakfast tent she recommended and that is where we had a long breakfast while being introduced to some of her friends. The breakfast tent feels like the social hub of the market. Here you will find a bit of everything that is made fresh, including a delicious plate of Eggs Benedict. We have been back three times in the past two months!