Three certified instructors to teach Korean Natural Farming workshop
The Hawai’i Farmers Union United, Hawai’i Farmers Union Foundation and the state Department of Agriculture will present a two-day Korean Natural Farming workshop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 5 and 6 at Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu.
Korean Natural Farming focuses on living soil and indigenous microorganisms, and maximizes the use of on-farm resources, recycles farm waste and minimizes external inputs while fostering soil health and sustainable agriculture.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to improve soil health and productivity by using the ancient art of nutrient extracts and fermentation. They will experience how to make various Korean Natural Farming inputs such as indigenous microorganism soil inoculant, fish amino acids, water-soluble calcium and Oriental herbal nutrient.
The workshop will include a farm site visit to explore Korean Natural Farming protocols being implemented.
The cost for Hawai’i Farmers Union United members is $100 ($150 for nonmembers, which will include an annual membership to HFUU) for the two-day workshop. Cost of registration includes registrants receiving $100 worth of inputs to take back to their farm or garden to apply. The workshop also includes lunch by Maui Tropical Plantation on both days.
Registration will close after the first 50 paid entries, and attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that one might garden in.
Korean Natural Farming is applicable to many types and scales of farming — from backyard vegetable gardening to larger-scale farm or livestock operations. Participants will leave the workshop equipped with the knowledge to implement Korean Natural Farming practices on their own farm or garden.
The workshop will be taught by three Korean Natural Faming certified instructors:
• Seth Raabe is the farm manager of Mahele Farm in Hana, a community farm that serves as an educational, sustainable and healthy food resource for the isolated East Maui region. He is certified in Korean Natural Farming.
• Vincent Mina co-owns and operates Kahanu Aina Greens in Wailuku. Last year alone, this family farm produced 21,000 pounds of food within just 2,000 square feet of space using Korean Natural Farming techniques and plant-based compost. Mina is also the statewide president of the Hawai’i Farmers Union United. He is certified in Korean Natural Farming and JADAM Organic practices.
• Ricky Apana is the owner of Maui Bio Char and is active in making bio char and IMO-3 (a Korean Natural Farming amendment) in bulk. He is also certified in Korean Natural Farming and JADAM Organic practices.
To register or for details, visit hfuuhi.org and select “Events.”