We are rebroadcasting this episode of the Hawaii-based “What School Could Be” podcast featuring Oahu Hawaii agriculture teacher Jackie Freitas because there is such a strong connection between the content and our work at the SOW project. Josh Reppun, brother to Paul and Charlies Reppun who are long-time Oahu farmers, is a friend of the SOW project and when he completed this interview, thought of us and kindly offered that we could share this podcast with our ag producer audience. We thank Josh f...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Many of the people we have interviewed for the SOW project have stressed the enormous importance of water to ag production in Hawaii, and how it can sometimes be either difficult to obtain, expensive, or both. In this episode we speak with the Reppun brothers Charlie and Paul, farmers from the windward side of Oahu, about the water struggles they have faced, but also about the realities of being involved in the local agriculture scene in Hawaiʻi since the early 1970s. Brought to you by Universit...
Dec 08, 2022•58 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode we talk with Christy Wong, founder of the Kauai Animal Education Farm. Christy talks about the purpose and mission of the education farm and how it serves as a place for youth, kupuna, and community to come together and heal through the process of taking care of neglected pets and rescued farm animals. Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Well-being (SOW) Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stres...
Nov 24, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this episode we speak with Hoʻōla Veteran Services co-founder Emily Emmons and Hilo Food Hub Manager Amanda Cox about the range of services offered. We review in detail their goFarm "Growing Veterans" program, their Farm-to-Car online farmers market, and the Hilo Food Hub. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Networ...
Nov 10, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this episode we speak with veteran Charley Jordan who followed his passions for both farming and the military service all over the world. He talks about his path in agriculture that has taken many twists and turns, with some unexpected results, on his way to becoming a "vetrepreneur" and horticulture therapist. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. This podcast is supported by the ...
Oct 27, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode we speak with Dr. Lew Abrams, clinical psychologist and farmer on the island of Maui. We talk about his struggles as a farmer, but also about what he sees in his work with ag producers related to their mental health and talk about ways of effectively dealing with the stress. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress As...
Oct 13, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this episode we speak with En Young from The Pacific Gateway Center on Oahu whose mission is to empower low-income residents, immigrants, refugees and other vulnerable populations to achieve self-sufficiency through skill-building and access to opportunities while respecting cultural heritages.. En has recently taken the role of Executive Director and shares details about their programs and some stressors This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human...
Sep 29, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In this episode we speak with Georgia Pinsky who is both farmer and a farmer resource on the island of Maui, and Representative Amy Perruso from District 46 of Hawaiʻiʻs state legislature and a member of the Ag, Finance, and Energy & Environmental Protection committees. We talk about stressors ag producers have voiced related to legislative issues, and also some possible ways we can all help move forward changes. Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resour...
Sep 15, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode, we speak with Chad Buck, Keynote speaker at the 2022 Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference and Owner and CEO of Hawaiʻi Foodservice Alliance or HFA. If you have perishable foods in your home, chances are it got there because of the work of HFA to obtain and distribute food throughout the Hawaiian islands. We talk about lessons learned from COVID, and also about Hawaiʻi food security, disaster planning, and ways local ag producers can work with HFA to get their products into stores thro...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this episode we speak with Lawaia Naihe, Executive Director at Hoʻākeolapono Trades Academy & Institute, a nonprofit based out of Anahola, Kauai on Department of Hawaiian Homelands land. Hoʻākeolaponoʻs mission is to provide the Hawaiian community with cutting-edge vocational training across high-demand trades, with a special focus on problem-solving and lifelong learning. The nonprofit is geared toward career technical secondary students and has already partnered with several public scho...
Aug 18, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In this episode we talk with Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, Chair of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, about how the Department has worked supporting agriculture producers during COVID and with lands managed by the Department for producers. She also highlights key issues the Department faces, ways all of us can impact change, and some thoughts on the future of agriculture in Hawaii. Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Well-being (...
Aug 04, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this episode we talk with Peleke Flores, Field Operations & Cultural Resources Manager at Mālama Hulē'ia, a nonprofit on Kauaʻi dedicated to restoring the wetland ecosystem along the Hulē'ia River and the Alekoko Fishpond. Their nonprofit mission is to advocate, educate and head community efforts to reestablish the functional watershed and create an environmental stewardship program honoring Hawaiian values. Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resource...
Jul 21, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this episode we talk with Dr. Amjad Ahmad, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, about the crop variety trials conducted at the University of Hawaii CTAHR Experiment Stations and the infamous Banana Bunchy Top Virus that has spread across the Hawaiian Islands. Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Well-being (SOW) Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant from the U....
Jul 08, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this episode we talk with Pomai Weigert with GoFarm Hawaii and Linus Tavaras from American AgCredit about a new grant matching program they have partnered to create for ag producers needing $10-$25,000. We talk about the details of this new program, but also review the range of financial assistance and support services each organization provides for the Hawaii ag community. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seed...
Jun 23, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In this episode we talk with Eric Bowman from the Kohala Center in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii about the entire range of loans and funding options available to ag producers in Hawaii, but in detail about micro-loans using crowdfunding and grants available from the Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS). This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. This podcast is supported by t...
Jun 09, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this episode we talk about the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program (WRASAP). Funded by a USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant, WRASAP is composed of lead agencies representing 13 states and 4 territories, including Hawaii. WRASAP recognizes that high levels of stress have been present in our agricultural communities. Causes include unstable finances, carrying the pressure of multigenerational farm lineage, injury, chronic/acute illness, adverse weath...
May 26, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast, aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance, and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode, we hear from Daniel Anthony, kalo (aka taro) producer and advocate on the island of Oahu, about some of the history and many of the realities of growing this important crop in Hawaii. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Se...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast, aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance, and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode, we hear from Glenn Teves, County Extension Agent on the rural island of Molokai, about how to maintain an even keel when faced with some of the struggles of agriculture in Hawaii. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seeds ...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode, we hear from S.O.A.P Extension Agent Emile Kirk, who willing be talking about stressors and language barriers that impact immigrant farmers and workers. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. This pod...
Apr 18, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode, we hear from Coloradoʻs AgrAbility program and how it can help the physical, mental, and emotional health of ag producers everywhere. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. This podcast is supported b...
Mar 30, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode, we hear from agriculture producers about ʻonipaʻa, and ways they address the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of Hawaiʻi agriculture production This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. ...
Mar 24, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode we’re going to be talking about different agricultural stressors in Hawaii and some resources that are available. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch ...
Mar 09, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode we’re going to be talking with Nancy Ooki, Maui County 4-H and Youth Development Programs, Interim Hawai‘i State 4-H Program Leader Agriculture. Nancy is also the point of contact for the Hawaii Extension Disaster Education Network. Nancy will be talking about Disaster Preparedness. This podcast is broug...
Feb 10, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode we’re going to be talking with Heather Greenwood-Junkermeier who is an Extension Agent who works with the intergenerational and aging programs. Heather will be sharing succession planning information and resources that are available for agricultural producers in the state. This podcast is brought to you ...
Jan 07, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode we’re going to be talking to Dr. Thao Le who works in the areas of mindfulness and we will be talking all about holiday stress and how to deal with it. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. This podca...
Dec 08, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode we will be talking with Emilie Kirk who is the Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Extension Agent on Kauai island. She will be discussing the COVID-19 ag needs assessment conducted in 2020. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds ...
Nov 10, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Aloha & Welcome to the SOW podcast aimed to provide educational support, information, guidance and outreach to farmers, ranchers, and allied agricultural producers in Hawaii. In this episode we introduce the Seeds of Wellbeing project and project director Dr. Thao Le. This podcast is brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Wellbeing or SOW Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) gr...
Oct 28, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 1
