“Empowering Hawaiʻi’s Farmers: How UH’s Innovative Program is Transforming Local Agriculture with Modern Business Skills” | University of Hawaiʻi System News

Ian Kennedy is a proud graduate of GoFarm Hawaiʻi. He runs Strata Farms and attributes much of his success to this program. “It taught me about startup costs, cash flow projections, and gave me the confidence to invest in farming,” he says. Ian learned about producing different types of vegetables alongside a supportive group of 10 other aspiring farmers.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi is tied to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, specifically its College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. Since 2013, over 600 farmers have completed this program, gaining valuable skills for their small-scale operations. Supporting small farmers is crucial since about 90% of farmers in the state work on less than 50 acres of land, highlighting the importance of local food production.

The program mixes classroom learning with practical farming experience, focusing on sustainable vegetable production and business management. This blend helps participants become successful “agri-preneurs.” In just one year, GoFarm provided over 15,000 training hours to 88 participants, who aim to produce around 1.8 million pounds of food in the next five years.

In 2024, the average age of graduates was 44, which is 17 years younger than the typical farmer in Hawaiʻi. Since 2022, nearly 90% of graduates have started their own farming businesses or found jobs in agriculture. This fresh talent is essential for sustaining local food production and creating a vibrant agricultural community.

GoFarm also supports its graduates for up to three years, helping them access land and resources with lower risk as they launch their own businesses. Since 2017, program participants have generated nearly $1.5 million in farm sales, demonstrating the effectiveness of GoFarm in encouraging sustainable farming practices.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi embodies the University of Hawaiʻi’s dedication to workforce development, a key part of its strategic vision. This initiative not only strengthens the agricultural sector but also fosters community ties by producing more local food. The future looks bright, thanks to fresh faces in farming committed to growing food right in their neighborhoods.

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