ORCD 2018 Annual Report

2018
Annual Report

O‘ahu Resource Conservation & Development Council

Table of Contents O’ahu Resource Conservation
1 & Development Council

About O‘ahu RC&D O‘ahu RC&D has been serving
Hawaiʻi’s rural communities and
2 farmers since 1997 through
partnerships with community
Message from the representatives to build leadership
Executive Director capacity and improve stewardship of
natural resources.
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Our programs focus on the social,
Program Highlights economic and environmental nexus of
sustainable agriculture and local food
15 production, supporting healthy
resilient communities.
Financial Summary

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Partners

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Jumping into 2019

Cover Image:
A field of kalo at University of Hawai‘i ’s Waimanalo Research Station.
Above Image:

Cacao producer learning about grafting at the O‘ahu workshop 2018.

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Cultivating Connection 2018 Board of Directors

What’s O‘ahu RC&D’s key to success? Cindy Goldstein
I believe it is our ability to cultivate Taylor Kellerman
Mark Phillipson
connections with farmers and ranchers. Melissa Z. Rhoden
Through site visits and listening to stories Stephanie Whalen

of the land, our staff forges trusted Staff
relationships with people managing land to
Jean Brokish, Exec. Director
produce food and agricultural products. Nicole Correa, Office Mngr.
Dave Elliott, Project Coord.
I’m especially grateful for the connections Frankie Koethe, Project Coord.
I’ve cultivated during my tenure with Stephanie Mock, Program Mngr.

O‘ahu RC&D. In 2009, my primary project Kaelin Sylva, Kupu Intern
responsibilities included working with

farmers in the Waimānalo Watershed. This
past year, I had the honor of reconnecting

with many of these farmers like Shellee
Machado (shown above). Talking stories
about crops, keiki, and community over the
years inspires me and strengthens the

foundation of our work.

The following pages feature projects of
O‘ahu RC&D and the connections created

with farmers and ranchers that support
Hawai‘i agriculture.

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Supporting Hawai‘i Farmers & Ranchers

Technical Assistance On-Farm Training

Provided conservation Provided hands-on
planning and monitoring training at 8 workshops
assistance to 9,700 acres

On-farm Investments

Awarded more than $130,000 to increase
sustainable production of local food and
to expand market opportunities

O‘ahu RC&D’s Women Farmer Workshops provided hands-on training on production, marketing
techniques, and fostered a network of women farmers and ranchers. Above, the attendees at the
Kahuku Farms workshop enjoyed a farm tour with host Kylie Matsuda-Lum.
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$130,000 9,700+ acres

awarded directly to were supported via
farmers and technical assistance
ranchers
Planted 1,500
137 volunteers lbs of cover
donated 1,173 crop seed
hours in total and
400
cacao
seedlings

13 conservation Engaged with
plans were
265 farmers
developed
and ranchers
Hosted 8
workshops Engaged with 2,300+
and shared
information at community members
23 community events
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Watershed Restoration

The Maʻiliʻili,Waiāhole, and Ka‘alaea watershed restoration projects support community-
wide adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to conserve water, reduce soil
erosion and restore watershed health, while supporting sustainable agriculture with a
place-based management system.

MAʻILIʻILI
$65,000 Invested in conservation practices for

sustainable agriculture.

85 Tons of sediment prevented from entering the ocean.

Featured Outreach:

Workshop: Rats, Slugs & Bugs – Integrated Pest Management
West O‘ahu Soil Water Conservation District
Hawaii Farmers Union United Wai‘anae Chapter
Wai‘anae Neighborhood Board Meetings
Wai Ma‘oli: Hawai‘i Fresh Water Initiative
Hawai‘i Conservation Conference

“Hawaiʻi is at the forefront of sustainability, and local food production can shape our
health and well-being.”

-Wai‘anae Community Member

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Watershed Restoration

WAIĀHOLE AND KA‘ALAEA
$78,000 Invested in conservation practices for

sustainable agriculture.

229 Tons of sediment prevented from entering the ocean.

Featured Outreach:

Workshop: Best of the Bunch – Banana Production Workshop
Windward Soil Water Conservation District
Hawai‘i Farmers Union United Convention
Waiāhole – Waikāne Community Association

Featured Partners in Watershed Projects:

Projects have been jointly funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act, and the Hawai‘i State Department of Health, Clean Water
Branch. Additional funds are from a Supplemental Environmental Project settlement agreement between the City and County of Honolulu and the Clean Water Branch. Although the
information herewith has been funded wholly or in part by a federal Grant to the Hawaii State Department of Health and the City and County of Honolulu, it may not necessarily reflect the
views of the Agency, the Hawaii State Department of Health, and the City and County of Honolulu, and no official endorsement should be inferred.

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Parade of Farms

Parade of Farms – ‘Nalo Style was held at the Waimanalo
Research Station and included farm tours, farmer’s market,
community exhibitor fair and keiki activities. Parade of Farms
highlights the importance of local agriculture in building healthy
communities, local businesses and our local food system.

Mahalo to our community sponsors:

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On-Farm Research

O‘ahu RC&D is conducting on-farm research to improve cacao orchard
establishment. Project activities and workshops on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island
engaged 46 farmers and other community members through:

- Hands-on training with local experts
- Planting and pruning demonstrations
- Farm tours of established cacao orchards
- Opportunities to discuss cacao with other growers.

Supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2016-38640-25383 through the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research
and Education program. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Also produced with funds from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture.

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Investing in the Future

“This internship has provided me with an experience like no other… You get to meet
leaders within our local agricultural community and learn alongside them.”

- Kaelin Sylva, KUPU Intern10

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Women Farmers Network

Workshops and mini-grants provided women farmers and ranchers financial
resources and hands-on training to enhance women-owned agribusinesses. Strong
focuses were on value-added products, agritourism, and marketing in Maui, Oʻahu and

Hawaiʻi Island.

96 women farmers and ranchers
received hands-on training

Mini-grants provided more than $6,000 in technical support to

women farmers across the state

2018 Maui Workshop Attendees in the field

2018 Kona Workshop Attendees

The Hawaiʻi Women Farmers Network was established in October 2018 as a
space for women in agriculture across Hawaiʻi to connect, share ideas,
collaborate, explore, and create community.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA / NIFA under Award 2015-49200-24227, with additional support provided by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture,
the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and Corteva Agriscience.

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Conservation Planning & Monitoring

O‘ahu RC&D works one-on-one with farmers and ranchers to evaluate
soil and water resources and recommend conservation practices that

support sustainable production of agricultural products.

Direct technical assistance provided on over 9,700
acres, representing 43% of active cropland on O‘ahu

61 conservation plans drafted with the assistance
of our on-line conservation planning tool

$8,000,000 Estimated value of agricultural products
produced on farms with conservation plans

developed by O‘ahu RC&D

O‘ahu RC&D’s conservation planning and monitoring program is funded in part by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and the City and County of
Honolulu; in partnership with the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and made possible by Hawai‘i’s farmers and ranchers.

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Growing Green

‘Tropic Sun’
Sunn Hemp

'Tropic Sun’ Sunn Hemp is a cover crop that is utilized throughout the
islands as a low maintenance weed suppressant and to improve soil health.
For many years O‘ahu RC&D has produced sunn hemp seed and made it
available to farmers, ranchers, and gardeners.
On-farm trials led by O‘ahu RC&D used sunn hemp in combination with
other cover crops, and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s College of
Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has utilized our ‘Tropic Sun’
sunn hemp for ongoing trials evaluating its ability to suppress nematodes
and to boost soil fertility.

Mahalo to our cover
crop partners!

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Fiscal Sponsorship

Oʻahu RC&D serves as a fiscal sponsor to several organizations in
Hawaiʻi with goals similar to our own. Providing fee-based

administrative support expands their capacity to provide services
that benefit Oʻahu’s communities.

The Green House

The Green House educates children, adults, families, and communities to
adopt sustainable living practices that build on traditional knowledge with
respect for the ‘āina. Key programs include Eco Explorer Camp where school
age kids explore gardening and sustainability, and Eco Hikers where keiki
experience the outdoors by exploring our wonderful parks.
More information available at http://thegreenhousehawaii.com
O‘ahu RC&D has fiscally sponsored The Green House since 2011.

Other fiscally sponsored organizations include

Double D Farm Pop-Up Labs for Mea Kanu Inc. West O‘ahu
& Ranch STEAM SWCD
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Fiscal Sponsorship

Windward
Zero Waste School Hui

Garbage to Gold! The Windward Zero Waste School Hui is a partnership of
Windward O‘ahu schools working cooperatively in the pursuit of waste reduction, soil
restoration, and applied environmental education. Everyday, students and staff collect all
organic waste (food, paper, green waste) and compost it on site to create nutrient-rich
soil amendments. The finished compost is applied to school gardens and any surplus is
sold, generating funds for school garden programs.

More information available at
https://zerowasteschoolhui.org/
O’ahu RC&D has fiscally sponsored this program since 2014.

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Financial Summary

Fundraising Foundation General
7% Grants
2% Other Program Management
Program
Services Fiscal Clients Costs 6%
28%
8% 6%
Federal
Local Govt Grants Fiscal Clients
Grants 25%
14% 41%

Personnel Contracts &
48% Awards
15%

Total Revenue = $637,853 Total Expense = $642,285
Unrestricted net assets = $126,000

O‘ahu RC&D’s programs are supported by a diverse revenue stream comprised of
multiple grants, fiscal client revenues, program service fees, and fundraising.
Program-related expenses include personnel for both O‘ahu RC&D programs and fiscal
clients, and contracts and awards given directly to farmers and ranchers to enhance
environmental stewardship and expand business opportunities.

Mahalo to our supporters!

Sustainer ($2,000+)
Mānoa Botanicals LLC | Matson Inc. | Lyndsey and Bradford Whitcomb | Hartung Brothers Inc.
Protector ($1,000+)
Kualoa Ranch Hawai‘i Inc | Island Palm Communities L.L.C. | David Morgan | Merck Foundation |
Carolyn Eaton
Conserver ($500+)
Stephanie Whalen | Bayer Crop Solutions | Mark Phillipson | Jason Akamine
Friends
Taylor Kellerman | Anthony Matchett | Townscape Inc. | Alan and Annabel Gottlieb | Cindy Goldstein |
Takenaka Landscaping | Ag Tech Pacific | John McHugh | John Russell | Lisa Rhoden | Tin Roof Ranch |
The Plant Place | SWCA incorporated | Nutrien Ag Solutions | Mulkern Landscaping | S.Thornton |
Gail Kuba | Ken Kajihara | Sarah Halpern

O‘ahu RC&D greatly appreciates the support of the community. We strive to recognize all of our supporters accurately and
appropriately. If there is an error within the list, please contact us with concerns or corrections.

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Our work is made possible by the following…

Project Funders

Alexander & Baldwin | Atherton Family Foundation | BEI Hawai‘i | City & County of
Honolulu | Corteva Agriscience | First Hawaiian Bank | Harold K.L. Castle Foundation |
Hawai‘i Community Foundation – Robert Emens Black Fund | Hawai‘i Community
Foundation – Ulupono Fund | Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation | Hawai‘i Tourism
Authority | Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation | State of Hawai‘i
Department of Agriculture | State of Hawai‘i Department of Health | The Garden Club
of Honolulu | USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service | Western Center for
Extension Risk Management | Western SARE | Women’s Fund of Hawai‘i

Project Partners

Ali‘i Kula Lavender | Big Island Bees | GoFarm Hawai‘i | Hawai‘i Agriculture Research
Center | Hawai‘i Association of Conservation Districts | Kahuku Farms | Kahumana
Organic Farm and Café | KEY Project | Kunia Village Title Holding Corporation | South
O‘ahu Soil & Water Conservation District | The Green House | UH-Mānoa College of
Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources | Waimanalo Agriculture Association | West
O‘ahu Soil & Water Conservation District | Windward O‘ahu Soil & Water
Conservation District | Windward Zero Waste School Hui

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Jumping into 2019

Some things to look forward to in the upcoming year!

- Informative workshops
- Expanding the Hawai‘i Women

Farmers Network
- Parade of Farms in Wai‘anae

- Increased capacity for Conservation
Planning & Monitoring

- Capacity building through Fiscal
Sponsorship

- Promoting soil health
practices

- Grants available in multiple
watersheds

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Ways to keep in touch

http://oahurcd.org/

P.O. Box 209
92-1770 Kunia Road

Kunia, HI 96759

[email protected]

808-622-9026

@OahuRCD @O‘ahu Resource @oahurcd
Conservation And

Development

Image Above: Back Image:
A ground cover of Perennial Peanut reduces soil erosion and Kalo growing at the foot of the Ko‘olau Mountains.
improves soil health.

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