Getting to the Roots of the Problem in Aquaponics.

After about a month of not visiting this aquaponics system, I found the plants over-running it, which they seem to do when I don't bother them. The problem was was wasn't cycling well. Fish were okay and plants got water that wicked up through the cinder, but the ants love to move in and nest in the cinder if the water isn't rising to a flood level in the cinder bed.
The tomato sent roots down through about 8 feet of pipe and had slowed the water flow. A little roto root type work and water is flowing again.

Midwest Farming Gangnam Style

These farmers are a great example of how to have fun farming or doing any job, when you take time to make it that way.

Expect this to go viral.

Farming Gangnam Style via scoop.it

Farmer Style (Gangnam Style Parody)by ThePetersonFarmBros107,762 views on youtube 12-5-12

No Tractor Needed Farming

Getting ready to clear some roots from my siphon pipes, my okra gets out of hand. Leeks are doing pretty good, maybe it's their roots. Suspecting roots because the siphon isn't kicking in as often, which in the past has usually meant that the roots had grown from the grow bed, down through the siphon.

Looking at making a space to move my celery (in bucket) from it's last place among the taro plants in the flow bed of my jacuzzi aquaponics system. 

My grandson's old electric John Deere tractor had me reflecting on how many farm type tools and equipment aren't needed with aquaponics.

  
Check out my earlier post for the Christmas specials going on. The Online Aquaponics Gardening Course and Sylvia Bernstein's Aquaponic Gardening book. Some think of it like the bible for aquaponics.

Aquaponics Online Course and Book for Christmas

Great News in time for Christmas!

 

Sylvia Bernstein's Aquaponic Gardening Online Course, along with her book Aquaponic Gardening are now bundled and priced for Christmas.

 

The course is a great way to see all the steps involved with building and maintaining an aquaponics system at home. Sylvia`s book has become a reference book for many people I know, myself included.

 

One day I heard a friend was getting into aquaponics and when I stopped by to see him, there he was eating his lunch and reading his copy of the Aquaponics Gardening he had just gotten.

Here is Sylvia Bernstein giving an intro on the course. You can order your course and book or any combination of them through the links in the video.

Maui Venture Forum- Moving Forward

Maui Venture Forum - Moving Forward! - Eventbrite
Community-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and professional service providers interested in innovative new ventures will want to participate in the return of the Maui Venture Forum on Friday, November 16th at the Maui Tropical Plantation from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. featuring a locavore lunch, interactive presentations, and lots of networking.
Michael Snyder will introduce the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Network which expects to launch in the first quarter of 2013. Lynn Rasmussen will demonstrate a prototype of SkillStory.com, a system to first quarter of 2013.
Lynn Rasmussen will demonstrate a prototype of SkillStory.com, a system to organize and get credit for non-institutional learning experiences.
Vince Mina will present on how very small scale agriculture can be economically viable on Maui.

Event organizer David Fisher will provide an update on the Hawaii Community Exchange which will soon launch and help match-make entrepreneurs with accredited investors.

David LeFevre will introduce the Regenerative Community Initiative, a part of a new national movement to connect grass roots support with impactful projects building sustainable local economies. LeFevre's first focus here on Maui is on building added value market economies for organic farmers so they are incentivized, without the need for subsidies, to grow more food for communities.
The event will be free of charge, although there will be a $25 charge for lunch. Registration is at http://mauiventureforum.eventbrite.com
Videos from past venture forums including presentations by Pacific Biodiesel, Bamboo Technologies, International Underwater Explorations, and Icanology are at http://CoolProjectsMaui.com, click on "venture forums".

Maui Farmers Union United November Meeting

Maui Farmers Union United

Tuesday Nov. 20th 2012

Haiku Community Center

Doors open at 5:30

Dinner and mtg. 6pm sharp

Meeting Agenda

6:40-6:50 Vincent Mina Announcements
6:50-7pm Bill Greenleaf MFUU report
7:00-7:15 Justin Pardo- Chef Corner- Creative Thanksgiving Leftovers
7:15-7:30 Ryan Eareheart- Squashes Varieties Planting and Consuming.
7:30-7:40 Harriet Witt- Cycles of light and Life
7:40-8pm Jayanti Nand- Mulching it 101
Networking 8:00 to 9pm

Locavore Potluck Bring your favorite locally grown dish to share

Potluck is 10$ for non members and 5$ for members.

Dinner is on us if you sign up as a voting member. ($30 a year!)

If possible, label your dish and ingredients.

Produce Swap Bring your home grown produce, seeds or plant starts to share and go home with what someone else brought.

Please label your produce for the lesser known items.

Trash free event Remember to bring your own vessel and utensils or purchase our recyclable ones at a nominal cost.

Produce Swap Table MFUU October Meeting

 HFUU: http://www.hawaiifarmersunionunited.org/

MFUU: http://mauifarmersunionunited.weebly.com/

Aquaponics Plumbing Problems

Just when you think you have the plumbing in your aquaponics system is running right.

 

Not all plumbing problems can be avoided, but it`s a good idea to start with good quality parts.

Aquaponics Plumbing Kits 

Glenn Martinez demo at Greenleaf Farm

Glenn Martinez of Olomana Gardens and President of the Hawaii Farmers Union United stayed over on Maui after the Maui Farmers Union United meeting. He set up some aquaponics demonstrations at Bill & Marta Greenleaf's Farm in Kula.
Using Greenleaf Farm's aquaponics system as a working system and Olomana Garden's portable aquaponics systems, Glenn, Natalie Diaz-Cash and Adrian Liu, also with Olomana Gardens, spent a few hours talking to a number of people that took up the open invitation.

In light of holiday spending, severe weather and uncertain economic outlook, maybe a gift this year based on people growing food for themselves.
There are a number of places people can buy gardening gifts.
For a variety of Aquaponics related products, this is a site I am an affiliate for.

Aquaponics Source Gift Certificates.

Improvements to Aquaponics Plumbing

Murray Hallam, one of the leaders in aquaponics, demonstrated these EZ Release Fittings in his videos.
When it comes to plumbing in an aquaponics system, getting your pipe layout right BEFORE gluing is critical. One way to make life a whole lot simpler, is to use the fittings at the crucial points in your system.

Alan Berstein of the Aquaponics Source did a video showing how to use them in a system. A pretty good idea to check these out and have some on hand when building your system or to retrofit and existing system.

  Alan Demonstrates EZ Release Fittings

Pass The Mayo Please!

I really like using mayonnaise in sandwiches, dips, and as coatings with chicken and fish.

I'm somewhat of a fanatic about the taste of coconut. Also knowing that it's one of the healthiest foods to use in it's many forms, I was searching the recipes online and found this video.

I usually go back and forth between "normal" mayonnaise and veganaise.

I would love to hear from anyone that tries this recipe. Perhaps your own variations to it too.

Never eat the mayonnaise while still in the blender.....

Aquaponics in every home

A year ago, I jumped into aquaponics after being given a lettuce plant that was grown in an aquaponics system.

Aquaponic Lettuce

Not knowing much about aquaponics, I even mistakenly had this picture saved under hydroponics.
For those that don't know the difference. aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (raising plants in water without soil).

My lettuce became a center piece arrangement in my kitchen. Each day, I looked at that lettuce, I was spurred on to the internet and began researching aquaponics.

The Lettuce in it's new Aquaponics home

 Without dragging this post out too far. My lettuce gift, turned into a year long adventure into aquaponics that has taken me to the point of having multiple types of system spread between my home and a friends home. A lot of the knowledge, like many others in aquaponics, was learned through trial and error. From information read about or seen, mostly on the internet.

A new home for my First and Second Aquaponics Systems

 

First Aquaponics with Plants

 Eventually, I came across what many would think of a must have book for this type of aquaponics systems. It was the Aquaponics Gardening book by  Sylvia Bernstein.
Get a copy today!

Second Aquaponics System Startup

With a copy of Aquaponics Gardening always handy, I continued working on my systems and began joining a number of forums online. There are about 5 or 6 forums spread around from Australia to the US that are quite popular.
Sylvia Bernstein created the Aquaponics Community Forum, which I joined and this led to becoming a member of the Aquaponics Association.

Second Aquaponics System with Plants and Fish

First Aquaponics System Planted

The Aquaponics Source has just announced the addition of Aquaponics Gardening Course.

This online course is based on Sylvia Bernstein`s popular Aquaponic Gardening: A Step by Step Guide to Growing Fish and Vegetables Together.

The online course is discounted through August 2012 and there is a special package that combines the online course, with a free copy of the book. Find it here.

First Aquaponics System Fish Tank View

Greenhouse View of First and Second Aquaponics System

Second Aquaponics System Flourishes

I think many people are attracted to building aquaponics systems for various reasons and it would be great to see them in most yards and even inside homes. Building them from scratch and learning all the ins and outs is fun and almost an addicting part, but I would suggest that anyone even considering it, might want to get Sylvia`s book and even online course to really know what is involved. It can save a lot of time, money and uncertainty in the long run.

New Aquaponics System idea takes shape

I would also suggest that people become a member of a forum. There are a number of them out there. The aquaponics source community forum has over 7000 members at this point and growing, so it's a pretty good one to start with.

My Rack Mount Aquaponics in the Drive way

The Old Jacuzzi becomes a Fish Tank and the latest Aquaponics System

Whether your new to aquaponics or have been into it for awhile, joining the Aquaponics Association would also be a great move. Beyond being a member and it's benefits, I believe that as the world looks for solutions to food and environmental issues, aquaponics is standing out more and more. By being a member of an association for Aquaponics, it gives a much needed voice to the people doing it and tells the politicians, governments, financial and business communities, that aquaponics is a serious way to produce food and here to stay.

Don't have the space outside or just want to enjoy seeing your aquaponics system. Here is the designer AquaBundance system that would compliment any home.

Maui Farmers Union United August 2012 Meeting

MFUU Meeting LARGER SPACE THIS MONTH

Maui Farmers Union United Aug 28, 2012 Meeting Haiku Community Center Tuesday night doors open 5:30pm Dinner opening circle 6:00 pm sharp

HAIKU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GARDEN TOUR AND PRESENTATION 5PM TO 6PM We are pleased to announce our collaboration with the Maui School Garden Network and Community Work Day program in our outreach to the greater Maui community. We will be meeting at the Haiku school garden, Mala O Ha'iku, promptly at 5:00 pm. ( The garden is behind the school on the Haiku Community Center side of the school and should be approached from the Haiku Community Center rather than from the front of the school itself.) Rebekah Kuby of the Community Work Day program, Robin Imonti, a Haiku El parent volunteer who started the garden herself, and Jenna Tallman, the current school garden coordinator, will give an overview of the school garden program at Haiku El. Following this will be the dedication of the Kahalu'u Avocado tree that has been planted. Mahalo to Jayanti Nand for grafting and donating the tree to MFUU and Jerry Isdale for making the plaque with all of the participants' names who made this happen for na keiki. Finally, Jenna Tallman will be give us a demonstration on how to brew Bokashi to speed up the composting process while Vincent Mina will demonstrate the making of Fermented Plant Juice. Two very beneficial and easy fermentations that can be used in composting and feeding plants organically.

When the garden tour is finished at 6:00 pm, the group will proceed back to the HCC building for our locavore potluck dinner and rest of the evening MFUU program. (Food will be received from 4:45pm at HCC for those attending the garden tour and demonstrations.)

Meeting Agenda: Haiku Community Center

6:00pm-6:50pm- Locavore Potluck The food table has been looking so good lets keep it growing.... its becoming evident that those who bring food are doing it in the spirit of abundance and the celebration of food.......Way to grow our gatherings Maui!

6:45pm-7:00pm Announcements Vincent Mina President
7:00pm-7:15pm-Chefs Corner-John Cadman Kale Ocean Salad 7:15pm-7:30pm-Produce Scoops-Ryan Eareheart Mana Foods 7:30pm-7:40pm Harriet Witt- Cycles of Light and Life
7:40pm-8:10pm Jayanti Nand Tree Air Layering Demonstration 8:10pm-8:30pm-Update-Annual Meeting Oct 24th Bill,Evan,Vincent

Locavore Potluck & Produce Swap Bring your favorite dish to share

"Its all about celebrating the growing, sharing, being inspired and nourished by our food and community."

A Waste Free Event: Bring a vessel and utensils for dinner or purchase our recyclable ones at a nominal cost.

PRODUCE SWAP: Make it abundant Maui its your event... Bring your home grown farm produce, seeds or plant starts to share and swap with others.

Maui Farmers Union United

Brain Training Break

Jigsaw Puzzle » free puzzles

Maui Farmers Union United May Meeting

Tavares Center Pool Room ~Pukalani
Doors open 5:00pm Dinner opening circle 6:00 pm sharp Mtg. 7pm sharp

Dessert Contest ~Win Great Prizes! (Bring your entry between 5:10- 5:40 Judging at 5:45pm) Contest Details: Melissa Ebeling will register each dessert upon entering. You will need to bring your entry along with your written recipe between 5:15 & 5:40pm. Judging will begin at 5:45 pm sharp! One Dessert entry per person. Two judges will determine the winners on a point system, for presentation, flavor, and creative use of locally grown ingredients. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners. Judging will be completed by 6:00 pm.

Schedule: 6:00pm-6:50pm- Locavore Potluck - Bring a dish OR Dinner is $5 for Members, $10 for Non Members. Sign up as a member and dinner is on us! Be creative and add to the abundance, you are the event!!!

6:50pm-7:00pm Announcements - Vincent Mina President
7:00pm-7:15pm Chefs Corner - Elijah Manahan- Coconut Kefirs
7:15pm-7:45pm Kupuna Sam Ka'ai - Hawaiian Historian
7:45pm-7:55pm Ryan Eareheart - Produce Corner
7:55pm-8:05pm Bill Greenleaf &Lehue Vandervelde - MFUU Report
8:05pm-8:15pm Astronomy in Agriculture- Harriet Witt passengerplanet.com
8:15pm-8:30pm Gerry Ross - Seed Basic Workshop Review
8:30-pm-9:00pm Member Network/Meeting Pau

PRODUCE SWAP: With each month more folks participate... Bring your home grown farm produce, seeds or plant starts to share and swap with others.

"Its all about growing, sharing and being nourished by our food and community"
Note: We aim to have a "trash free" event and encourage folks to bring their own bowl and utensils. New: We will provide utensils at a nominal cost.

Maui Farmers Union United April 2012 Meeting

Next meeting of the Maui Farmers Union United: April 24, 2012 Meeting Agenda:

Locavore Potluck: Come and share the Maui abundance of what you prepare and grow!!! Bring a dish OR Dinner is $5 for Members, $10 for Non Members. Sign up as a member and dinner is on us!

Schedule:
6:00pm-7:00pm LocaVore Potluck
6:50pm-7:00pm Evening Announcements ~ Vincent Mina
7:00pm-7:10pm Chefs Corner ~ Jana McMahon-Kahanu Aina Greens 7:10pm-7:20pm Farmers Almanac ~ Harriette Witt
7:20pm-7:30pm Produce Scoop ~Ryan Eareheart-Mango Madness 7:30pm-8:00pm Lehua Vander Velde- MFU "You are the event" 8:00pm-8:10pm Bill Greenleaf-Annual meeting
8:10pm-8:30pm Seth Raabe- Our experience culturing and using IMO 8:30pm- 9pm Networking

Produce Swap: Lets make it abundant!!!

Bring your home grown farm/garden produce, seeds or plant starts to share and swap with others. Place it on the table in the back when you arrive.

Note: We aim to have a "trash free" event and encourage folks to bring their own bowl and utensils. And, if you like, a comfortable chair. It was standing room only last month!

~6pm-9pm Potluck and General Meeting. ~The fourth Tuesday of every month. ~Attendance has been high and we run out of seats so please consider bringing your own comfortable chair ~All meetings include: The Chef's Corner, Mana Foods Produce Scoops, Farmer's Almanac Astronomy Presentation, Educational Demonstration and Presentation, Legislative Updates, Announcements. ~Meetings are held at The Pool Room at the Tavares Community Center in Pukalani. (see map below) ~All meetings are free. ~All are welcome. ~Please bring a local foods potluck dish to share if you would like to eat with us. Alternatively, you may bring $10 (for non-members) or $5 (for members). ~YOU ARE THE EVENT Make it Feastive!!!

Please visit the website and sign up for the newsletter and membership.
http://mauifarmersunionunited.weebly.com/

Hawaii Farmers Union United March Meeting

Tavares Center Pool Room -Pukalani Tuesday March 27th 6-9pm   Doors open now at 5:30pm   Dinner now at 6:00 pm, meeting begins at 7pm sharp!               LocaVore Potluck:  Come and share the Maui abundance of what you prepare and grow!!! Bring a dish OR Dinner is $5 for Members, $10 for Non Members. SIgn up as a member and dinner is on us!   Schedule: 6:00pm-7:00pm   LocaVore Potluck   6:50pm-7:00pm   Evening Announcements ~ Vincent Mina      7:00pm-7:10pm   Chefs Corner ~ Jana McMahon                               "Everything Mulberries"  7:10pm-7:20pm   Farmers Almanac ~ Harriette Witt "Spring Equinox"   7:20pm-7:30pm   Produce Scoop ~ Evan Ryan "all about Ulu"    7:30pm-7:55pm   "Grow Some Good & Maui School Garden Network"                             ~ Lehn Huff, Nio Kindla,Rebecah Kuby, Kirk Surry,                               and Kathy Becklin    7:55pm-8:10pm   Helen Nielson- The Outlaw Queen of                               East Maui Bees    8:10pm-8:30pm   Seth Raabe- Natural Farming Egg Shell                               Calcium Ferment     8:30pm- 9pm       Networking        Produce Swap: Bring your home grown farm produce, seeds or plant starts to share and swap with others. Place it on the table in the back when you arrive. Introduction to the School Garden movement The school garden movement is thriving throughout Hawaii and creating real-life, hands-on educational programs for students of all ages. Learn about programs that teach local students and their families to grow nutritious, organic fruits and vegetables - on any budget, in any community or living space.      Nio Kindla, Kirk Surry, Kathy Becklin, and Kerry Wilkins, co-founders of Grow Some Good - Educational School Gardens on Maui (www.GrowSomeGood.org) - will discuss school gardens as learning centers for new gardeners; how school gardens inspire better nutrition choices and greater access to organic fruits and veggies for an entire community; and how to get funding to help fund your community-driven garden projects.     As part of the evening, 'Project: Plant It!' volunteers will share ready-to-transplant organic and heirloom garden starts, planted by student gardeners at Kihei Elementary School and Lokelani Intermediate School.          Note: We aim to have a "trash free" event and encourage folks to bring their own bowl and utensils. And, if you like, a comfortable chair. It was standing room only last month!

Think Abundance!

Maui Farmer's Union United Monthly Event Aloha all, WOW, this meeting will be rockin' it to stimulate, empower, inspire, and educate our community in holistic systems of being well with Aloha for the land. And our HFUU State Board will be present! Way to Grow Maui.... see ya there, Vince

Tavares Center Pool Room -Pukalani

Tuesday Feb 28th 6-9pm

doors open at 5:45pm

Dinner 6:30 pm, meeting begins at 7pm sharp!

LocaVore Potluck: Come and share the Maui abundance of what you prepare and grow!!!
Bring a dish OR Dinner is $5 for Members, $10 for Non Members.
SIgn up as a member and dinner is on us!

Food Contest: The theme is: "Winter Savory"
Enter your dish to win prizes (Bring your entry by 5:45 Judging at 6pm)
Prizes for 1st,2nd & 3rd place.

Fabulous Meeting planned! All your usual favorites
plus the HFUU Board members will be present! see full schedule below.

Schedule:

6:30pm-7:00pm- LocaVore Potluck ~ Great meals! Be creative and add to
the abundance, it's your the event!!!
6:50pm-7:00pm Evening Announcements ~ Vincent Mina www.MauiGrown.com

7:00pm-7:10pm Chefs Corner ~ Chef Justin Pardo from Market Fresh Bistro
Pickling Vegatables 101

7:10pm-7:20pm Produce Scoop ~ Ryan Eareheart from Mana Foods- shares about
Sugarcane Benefits and Uses
7:20pm-7:30pm Farmers Almanac ~ Harriette Witt www.passengerplanet.com
7:30pm-8:00pm Kapua Sproat, UH Law School Professor & Issac Moriwake of Earthjustice "Protecting the public trust doctrine and water law in Hawaii."
8:00pm-8:10pm Legislative Update ~ Bill Greenleaf
8:10pm-8:25pm Introductions of the HFUU State Board
8:25pm-8:45pm Evan Ryan ~ Soil Building 101
8:45pm- 9pm Seth Raabe ~ Demonstration on making Fermented
Plant Grow Juice

Meeting Pau

Produce Swap:

Bring your home grown farm produce, seeds or plant starts to share and swap with others. Place it on the table in the back when you arrive.

Mahalo! to all of our sponsors: Hawaiian Moons, Down to Earth, Mana Foods, Whole Foods, Marmac Ace, Greenleaf Farm, Maui Biochar, Susan Teton, Lehuahana Vander Velde, Evan Ryan and Maui Aloha Association.

"Its all about growing, sharing and being nourished by our food"

Note: We aim to have a "trash free" event and encourage folks to bring their own bowl and utensils. And, if you like, a comfortable chair. It was standing room only last month!

Agricultural Crash Course History

The National Farmers Union came out to help the farmers decades ago. The Hawaii Farmers Union United has come along and become such an exciting alternative to past programs and groups. The Hawaii Farmers Union United is at this very moment working with it's members to prevent bills that endanger the small farmers in the name of food safety. Large corporate interests are influencing the government by slipping through bills and making laws that come under the guise of food safety and yet are just a cover for creating a world where the small farmer is an outlaw and the public is expected to support the large corporations.

Look at the food and produce you get from a small farmer, it looks like food always has. Look at processed foods and how they barely resemble what food is. Look at the ingredients and you may not recognize the ingredients on the packages of foods the 99% is expected to consume.

Sickness, obesity have become the norm. High health cost, high prices and low income and it's like we are back in the 1930's and 40's.

I would recommend you sit down with some popcorn (non GMO) and watch this movie.

The Makai Inn and their Aquaponics

It was a wet and wild day today and instead of staying indoors, I went for a ride to Lahaina and visited The Makai Inn and their aquaponics system. I found them online this past summer in my search for information on building an aquaponics system. Six months later, with my systems producing food, I got to see theirs. I didn't shoot any video or take pictures today, how unlike me, but here is some video from their youtube site that was taken last July, 2011. The plants have grown and changed some.

Hawaii Farmers Union United Whispering Winds Bamboo

The Whispering Winds Bamboo farm has been building a foundation for a viable source of bamboo products, primarily for building and soon for BioChar. At the January 2012 meeting of the Hawaii Farmers Union United, Rich Von Welshiem presents pictures and information.

Hawaii Farmers Union United Leo Smock Randall

Leo Smock Randall of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, presents information on how they can help farmers during the January Hawaii Farmers Union United meeting. There's so many ways that the NRCS can help with plans, support and monies.

The Hawaii Farmers Union United has a website at http://mauifarmersunionunited.weebly.com. Lehua Vander Velde has been responsible for helping to create this site and talks about the features presently and visioned for the future. A dynamic work in progress, like the Hawaii Farmers Union United events, the website is about you, the farmers, the foodie and so get involved and help provide Lehua with information for the site.

Hawaii Farmers Union United - Amy Cortese-Locavesting

Fresh from the TEDxMaui2012, Amy Cortese (www.AmyCortese.com) award winning journalist and author of Locavesting, stopped in to the January Hawaii Farmers Union United meeting with Maui's David Fisher (www.CoolProjectsMaui.com) to speak to the Hawaii Farmers Union United members and guests.

Hawaii Farmers Union United on Bill for Industrial Hemp

Romonda Anand, http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=712675917 has submitted a bill for Industrial Hemp to the Hawaii Legislature under HB1727. Bill Greenleaf of the Hawaii Farmers Union United passes on the information and urges people to get involved.

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1727

A regular part of the Hawaii Farmer Union United is the Legislative Corner. Bill Greenleaf presents information about various bills and laws that impact on local food producers and agriculture.

Hawaii Farmers Union United Astronomer Corner

Harrit Witt, www.PassengerPlanet.com did a talk on time and the farmers almanac for the Hawaii Farmers Union United.

Hawaii Farmers Union United Produce Corner

The Hawaii Farmers Union United presents the Produce corner with Ryan Eareheart of Mana Foods to talk about coconut.

Hawaii Farmers Union United Chef's Corner

The first meeting of 2012 for the Hawaii Farmers Union United included the popular Chef's Corner. Kicking the year off was Chef Justin Pardo, co-owner of the Market Fresh Bistro in Makawao, Maui, Hawaii. Known for his use of almost all (any he can get) local produce.

For tonight's segment of Chef's Corner, Chef Justin Pardo gave his recipes and tips for Rhubarb Chutney.

Hawaii Farmers Union United Community info

Vincent Mina of the Hawaii Farmers Union United relates the community events and happenings around Maui at the first meeting of 2012 in Pukalani, Maui, Hawaii.

Hawaii Farmers Union United January Meeting Intro

This is the opening to the first Hawaii Farmers Union United of 2012. There was a very large crowd, almost too many for the Tavares pool meeting room in Pukalani, Maui, Hawaii.

Maui Farmers Union United Meeting for January

Maui Farmers Union United

Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012, 6-9pm
Pukalani, Tavares Center Pool Room

Maui Farmers United

Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012, 6-9pm
Pukalani, Tavares Center Pool Room

First meeting of 2012 and were coming out of the gates with a great one in store.

Special guest Amy Cortese will be at this meeting speaking on locavesting. Amy is in town as a presenter of TEDx Maui this coming Sunday http://tedxmaui.com/

With twenty speakers this Sunday this event is sold out yet will also be LIVE STREAMED over the internet. One not to miss!!!

Produce and Seed Swap:

Bring your home/farm grown produce leave with another growers produce.

Doors Open 6pm
6:30pm - 7:00 - Farmers Feast "It's all about the food"
All are welcome & encouraged to participate in this festive meal of good will
Be Creative its your event!!!
Grow, buy, prepare or share a local grown dish, if you can't bring anything to share to eat, members are $5, $10 non members or come early to set up and stay after to clean up.

Membership Special Offer

(Pay $15 to become a member and dinner will be on us.)
This is a trash free event,
please bring your own dish and utensils.

Meeting Schedule:

7:00 - 7:10 Welcome, Announcements Vincent Mina
7:10 - 7:25 Chef's Corner Chef Justin Pardo Rhubarb Chutney*

7:25- 7:40 Produce Scoop Ryan Eareheart- Coconut Demo

7:40 - 7:50 Farmers Almanac Harriet Witt

7:50 - 8:00 HFUU Legislative Report Bill Greenleaf

8:00 - 8:05 MFUU Website Updated Lehua Vander Velde

8:05- 8:20 Leo Smock Randall NRCS $$$ Programs
8:20- 8:45 Locavesting- Maui's own David Fisher & Special Guest just off her

Tedx Maui presentation, Amy Cortese http://www.amycortese.com

8:45- 9pm Rich Von Welshiem Whispering Winds Bamboo Post harvest

protocols for timber bamboo by whispering winds bamboo http://www.whisperingwindsbamboo.com/

Leo Smock Randall-NRCS: ice.ucdavis.edu/~robyn/hinrcs.html

Conservation opportunities for Maui's landowners & managers
-What is NRCS & Conservation planning
-What types of natural resource issues does NRCS address
-What programs are available to provide technical and financial assistance
-What are the first steps to participate.

NRCS will be accepting applications for 2012 program assistance over the next several months. I hope to give an idea of what our programs have to offer for cropland, pasture, & forestry projects. In addition there are several national initiatives helping transition farms to organic, incentivizing energy audits for agricultural operations and promoting seasonal high tunnels (also known as hoop houses).

* Videos from past meetings-

Chef Justin Pardo-Market Fresh Bistro

Ryan Eareheart-Mana Foods

(info courtesy of Maui Aloha Aina Association www.MauiGrown.com)