Here is the text of our Food Security Microgrant award which weʻll be implementing over the next year, to give you a sense of our values and direction on this land.
Assistance Converting Ecotourism Residence to Productive Regenerative Farm
($1000 tools/amendments/seeds; $1500 aquaponics; $1000 vacuum packing; $1000 apiary; $500 irrigation)
In November, 2021, we purchased a seven acre property with good agricultural bones, but requiring adjustments for fuller production. Using permaculture principles, this project activates latent potential in the farm’s pre-existing systems, while adding significant new crops.
The health and quality of plants/fish in our medium-sized pond will be increased by integration with a series of small rainwater-filled tanks. Per year, these upgrades will produce staple crops (40#), vegetables (300#), duck eggs (150#), duck meat (40#), and tilapia (80#).
Bee resiliency, pollination, and honey harvest will be increased by construction of two top bar hives (120#/yr). Colony security will be increased with construction of a 12’X12’ sun/rain cover, gutters and trough for thirsty bees.
Korean Natural Farming (JADAM) and other amendments will be implemented for fertility/IPM, improving quality of new/existing crops. Value will be added to new/existing crops through a passive solar dehydration and hand-powered vacuum-packing system, annually producing breadfruit flour (100#), cassava flour (50#) and dried jackfruit (40#).
Seven small water catchments will be installed to harvest rainwater from pre-existing downspouts on four outbuildings. These will gravity-irrigate new plantings of seven dryland taro patches (350#/yr).
In addition to myself, this project will be implemented by an on-property crew of five gardeners/builders/designers benefiting directly from the production. Indirect beneficiaries are local trading partners. An educational video on dehydrator construction will be donated to 501c(3) Malama O Puna’s YouTube channel.