ORGANIC CROP INSPECTION TRAINING COURSE

The International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) and Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) will offer Basic Organic Farm (Crop) Inspector Training to be held January 25-29, 2011, (4 ½ days) and Process and Handling Inspector Training to be held February 1-5, 2011, (4 ½ days) in Hilo, HI on the Big Island. Registration deadline is December 12, 2010

If you are presently an organic inspector or are interested in becoming an organic inspector, attendance is highly recommended. The course is also appropriate for certification agency review committee members, county extension agents, regulatory agency staff, organic processors and industry activists in order to better understand the organic inspection and certification process.

Unveils Newsletter and Improved Website

In April, 2009, Dr. Ted Radovich, Extension Specialist at CTAHR's Sustainable and Organic Farming Systems Laboratory, became the newly designated Coordinator of the Western Region Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education (WSARE) program. The WSARE Program annually offers several grant programs for innovative sustainable agriculture projects. Dr. Radovich is a strong proponent of research in organic growing methods and improving soil fertility.

Because of its many uses and services, moringa is known as a "miracle tree" around the world.

Almost all parts of the moringa tree are used for food, oil, fiber, and/or medicine. In the Pacific, the most important products are pods and leaves. Young pods are consumed as a vegetable. Very young pods are fiberless, and can be cooked like string beans. Because the weight is low on very young pods, most commercial production involves larger, more fibrous pods that are used in soups, stews, and curries. The nutritious leaves are eaten in many dishes including soups, stews, and stir fries. Sauteed young leaves and flowers are also eaten. The demand for home consumption of pods and leaves can generally be met by one or two backyard trees.

Coconut is one of the most useful tropical plants, both for subsistence and economic uses.

Except for the fairly recent commercialisation of coconut water from immature fruit, the principal products of the coconut palm come from the whole mature fruit: the husk fibre for ropes and mats (geotextiles, woven from coconut fibre, are used to stabilise fragile soils); the shell for charcoal (excellent for activation); and the kernel for oil (emulsified as cream or milk). Desiccated coconut was developed in the late 19th century (after 1895) and husk cortex (cocopeat) in the mid 20th century (after 1949). Copra (dried kernel) was the major item on international markets for much of the 20th century, as a source of oil for food preparation, candle, and soap making and glycerine for high explosives. Traditional uses include toddy (sap, from which sugar is crystalised by boiling or alcohol or vinegar are fermented); leaves woven for baskets and for shelter (atap), or for hats and party skirts; frond stems and dry bunch stalks for fuel; shell for cups, curios, and buttons; and structural and ornamental timber from the trunk. Two uses that may have future commercial prospects are coconut oil as a supplement or replacement for petroleum-based fuels, and heart of palm.

Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network

Food is a crucial issue for community health and welfare, especially in Hawai'i. Recognizing Hawai'i needs a vibrant, new food paradigm, the grantee engages in outreach to gardeners, farmers, students, teachers, retailers, distributors, suppliers, policymakers, reporters, food banks, farmers' markets, processing facilities, consumers -- and the grassroots organizations, non-governmental groups, and government agencies that support them.