Maui Farmers Union Meeting Tonight in Pukalani

By Sonia Isotov

The Maui Farmers Union invites the public and agricultural community to their meeting tonight, Feb. 22, at 6-9 p.m., at the Tavares Center Pool Room in Pukalani.

This meeting is part of a regular series that features a produce and seed swap, a “farmers feast”, and presentation and talks by several local agricultural farmers and experts.

The produce and seed swap features home/farm grown produce, seeds, cuttings and starts for swapping at the end of the meeting.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Pukalani Tavares Community Center Pool Room, and the “farmers feast” starts at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to grow, buy, prepare or share a locally grown dish. This is also a trash free event, and attendees should also bring dishes and utensils. Donations are also accepted in lieu of a dish.

The general meeting starts at 7 p.m. and includes the following schedule and speakers on a wide variety of topics of interest to commercial and home farmers.

7:00 – 8:30      General Meeting
8:30 – 9:00      Open Dialogue “Talk Story”

Meeting Schedule:

7:00 – 7:05      Welcome, Opening     Bill Greeenleaf
7:05 – 7:15      Chef’s Corner              Justin Pardo Market Fresh Bistro;raw vegetable demo
7:15- 7:20       Ramoda Anand           GMO Labeling Bill Report
7:20 – 7:30      Ryan Eareheart           Mana Foods Produce Manager on seasonality of produce
7:30 – 7:45      Wilma Nakamura       Worm vermicomposting
7:45 – 7:50       Marta Greenleaf        Hali’imaile farmers market
7:50 – 8:05      Art Mederios              Auwahi Native Plant Restoration
8:05- 8:15       Wayne Axelson          Hawaii Farmers Union update
8:15 – 8:30      Vincent Mina             Maui Aloha Aina Body & Soil” Report
8:30 – 9:00      Talk Story/Network

Meeting organizers include: Wayne Axelson, Bill Greenleaf, and Vincent Mina from Maui Aloha Aina.