J. Sugano

University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences

February 2014

Reaching Hawaii’s New Clientele: Socially

Disadvantaged & ESL Farmers

Extension Education for Hawaii’s Socially Disadvantaged and Underserved Agricultural Producers

Increasing number of farmers have entered Hawaii’s agriculture industry Shift from plantation to diversified

agriculture

Increase in socially disadvantaged producers

Loss of ‘next generation’ farms

High local and global competition

Year Round, multi-crop production

Shift in Hawaii Agriculture

CTAHR’s New Clientele

Growers of various ethnicities often qualify as socially disadvantaged operations.

Many socially disadvantaged growers have limited English literacy and communication skills which puts them at a disadvantage

Group whose members have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group, without regard to their individual qualities. These groups consist of the following:

American Indians or Alaskan Natives

Asians

Blacks or African Americans

Native Hawaiians

Pacific Islanders

Hispanics

Women

Definition: Socially Disadvantaged

Multi-generational family operations

Small acreage and multi-cropping systems

Farm in remote locations:

Lack access to farm resources and services

Limited English literacy / proficiency

Limited farming knowledge

Limited agri-business management skills

CTAHR’s New Clientele

How Do We Service This New Clientele Group?

Understanding their needs

Service in a manner which best suits their educational needs

Ensure we are backed w/ science based research

Emeritus Professor Dr. Ronald Mau

Strong need to know why they are learning something new

Self-directed and take responsibility for their learning

Incorporate unique and quality life experience into their learning

Ready to learn something new when there is a need to do so in order to manage real life situations

Life-centered and focused on learning things that will help them solve problems or perform tasks

Motivated by external and internal factors

Adult Learners: Malcolm Knowles (1984)

Language and cultural barriers

Gender issues

Distrust government agencies

Rely on friends and family for educational support

Influence decision making on farm

Knowledgeable about the cultivation of ethnic crops

Prefer face to face interaction

Solutions oriented

Our Assumptions about Socially Disadvantaged Growers In Hawaii

LIFE’s Educational Programs:Grass roots oriented

Hands on

Practical

Timely

Multi-agency team oriented

Rural agriculture focused

Research based

Our long term goal is to assist growers in becoming self-directed, active information seekers and adoptersof new research based agricultural advances.

Our Focus: Growers’ Priority Needs

• Increase the viability and

sustainability of commercial

farms in Hawaii,

• Integrate more farmers into

mainstream agriculture

• Help drive Hawaii’s diversified

industry forward.

Keeping Hawaii’s Farms in Business

Continuing education for Hawaii’s growers

Agricultural Educational Workshops

On Farm Field Days, Road Shows, Ag Clinics, etc

Grower Inspired Field Trials

Farm Doctor Program

Bilingual Materials

Establishing the Educational Setting:

Non threatening environment

Establishing a trusting relationship

Individualized or small group training

Translation services

On farm, hands on training

Using photo heavy publications vs text

Emphasis on reinforcement and follow

through

Our Forte: Structuring Specialized Extension Program

“Wow! What a wealth of information! This is great!”

-Caroline, new beginning farmer

“Thank you for all your work. Really appreciate you helping us.

-Chai, new farmer in Kahuku

“I found most helpful new practical

information; meeting people from the industry

and other islands.”

-Ornamental producer participant

“How local our resources are! What an amazing community we have with SO much knowledge

and experience!” -Field day participant

“Truly a win-win for all involved (farmers, agencies, staff/officials, workers, general

public, etc.).”Jason Shitanishi, USDA FSA

Bilingual Publications to Address Industry Issues

“Thank you for the outreach to these farmers. As one who worked first hand

with the same group of papaya farmers along with Sabina Swift I can attest

that this hard working group of farmers need all the assistance they can get.”

John McHugh

“This project will be very helpful for them. Thank you so much!!!”

-Mian, translator for new clientele group

“Anytime DOA can work together with you guys and participate and

contribute in workshops, classes, etc. offered to farmers is great.”

Derek Shigematsu, HDOA Pesticide Branch

I wanted to extend my warmest mahalo to you for your time, energy, and dedication to raising awareness with the farmers.-Jolene Lau, USDA NRCS

“I appreciate the time you have put into resolving this…thanks again for all your help.

We really do appreciate it.”-Family operated basil farm

“I appreciate the quick response & follow-up.”-Joe, Korean Natural Farmer

“Lots of support out there to attack CBB.”-Coffee Berry Borer workshop participant

“Thanks for your intensive training given last week and yesterday to basil growers in Honolulu, also it is a wonderful team works among different

programs at CTAHR and other governmental/private sectors.-Whider, Basil Farmer

“Wonderful interaction…very exciting that we are making strides in sustainability”

Workshop participant

“Keep up the good works you are doing…know that

you are appreciated by the farmers!”-Karen Umehara, Hawaii Papaya Industry Association

We service growers in remote areas across Hawaii

“Wonderful stuff, thanks very much.

We sure do appreciate all the great folks at

CTAHR.”

-New Aquaponic farmer

TEAM LIFE Members 2013

J. Sugano, S. Fukuda, S. Nakamoto, A. Kawabata, R. Hamasaki, M. Diaz-Lyke, J. Uyeda, R. Shimabuku, K. Sewake, A. Kawabata, S. Motomura, R. Tsutsui, A.

Arakaki, B. Bushe, C. Tamaru, T. Radovich, K. Wang, M. Kawate, J. Uchida, B. Fox, J. Hollyer, D. Meyer, and S.

Swift

University of Hawai’i at Manoa

College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

@lifectahr