UHMC Offers Spring Aquaponics Business Courses 

Aquaponics greenhouse. UHMC photo.

Two innovative, new microenterprise business and market plan courses will be offered during the spring semester, January through May 2016, by UH Maui College. The registration deadline is Jan. 15, 2016.

“Aquaponics Entrepreneurship” and “Marketing Aquaponics” planning will be offered for Maui Nui residents interested in small-scale food production start-ups and early-stages of operations. The courses include an introduction to Kahului campus’ newest ADA accessible, 5,000-square-foot, controlled-environment greenhouse and small-scale commercial aquaponics systems.

“The two evening courses, will each meet once a week for 16 weeks—are meant to accommodate daytime workers and residents on Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i,” said Maui College University Center Director Karen Hanada. “We also want to attract Maui County high school students who are transitioning from high school to college.”

“Non-credit status is an option for those who aren’t interested in earning credit,” Hanada added.

Aquaponics greenhouse. UHMC photo.

Offered by the college’s business school, the courses are designed as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) agribusiness “program of study” bridge from Hawai‘i DOE Natural Resources Production.

Geared to address business managing and marketing planning of microenterprise agribusiness, the courses are designed to assist entrepreneurs at all stages in understanding fundamental concepts and skills that can be applied to start-ups and early-stage agribusiness using aquaponics as a natural resources production microenterprise. Liveplan.com will guide in business plan preparation.

Students will also acquire basic competencies in applied aquaponics sciences, industry-aligned standard operating procedures (SOP), food safety and health practices for edible crops and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

Students will work in groups to explore small-scale production using microsystems startup systems, and complete the course with comprehensive business and marketing plans and gain new entrepreneur skills.

Topics include discussions of entrepreneurship, the role it has played in Hawai‘i’s island economy and its relevance to aquaponics. All aspects of managing and marketing a business will be covered, including operations, management and planning principles, record keeping and budgeting, and problem solving. Applicable business and production models as well as entrepreneurship practices will be examined through discussions and hands-on applications.

Go online for more information about Bus 190V Aquaponics Entrepreneurs.

Go online for more information about Mgt. 190V Marketing for Aquaponics Entrepreneurs.

Each course costs $220.

Register online.

For more information, contact Business Instructor Vince Domingo at vdoming@hawaii.edu.