Farmers Union to Host Apprenticeship Event

The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Unitedʻs (HFUU) Farm Apprentice Mentoring Program (FAM) will be hosting an event for aspiring farmers. The HFUU said the event, Are You Ready to be a Farmer?, is a chance for beginning farmers to discover if they are a good fit for the apprenticeship program.

The event will be held at the Class Act Restaurant in the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College (UHMC) Pāʻina building on Oct. 4 from 5:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. In celebration of its fourth year, the program will be offering free tuition for 20 of their new apprentices. The online FAM application will be available on Oct. 4 and will close on Oct. 31.

The program has two phases. The first phase runs from December to June 30 with classes taught by experienced regenerative and organic farmers. Classes can be taken in person at UHMC or through webinar for participants in remote areas. Participants who complete the first phase will earn a Certificate of Professional Development from the UHMC Office of Continuing Education and Training.

The FAM programʻs goal is to protect the ʻāina by teaching a combination of regenerative and ancient Hawaiian farming methods. All Phase One classroom material will be reinforced through hands-on activities with mentors from across the island.

The programʻs second phase is optional and beings from July 15 through Oct. 1. This phase will help participants who aspire to turn their farming interests into a business career. The phase will include one-on-one coaching for developing a farm business and will help participants find land, financing, insurance, markets, and collaborative opportunities with other farms.

This year, FAM will expand with four new mentors teaching native Hawaiian and Korean farming practices in Hāna. Another Am I Ready to Farm? event is planned to take place in Hāna sometime in September.  

Anyone interested in attending the Are You Read to be a Farmer? Event must RSVP by emailing [email protected]. Light refreshments will be provided at the event.

More information about the FAM program can be found on their Facebook page or by contacting the FAM Program Director Phyllis Robinson at (808) 647-4066. 

A participant in the HFUU Farmer Apprenticeship Mentoring program. Photo Courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.

Members of the FAM program participating in hands-on activities. Photo Courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.

FAM participants working in a taro patch. Photo Courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.