Korean Natural Farming Workshop in Hāna, Feb. 25-26

Participants prepare indigenous microorganisms during a Korean Natural Farming workshop at Maui Tropical Plantation. Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United will host its next workshop on February 25 and 26 at Kahanu Garden in Hāna.

The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation, and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture will present a two-day Korean Natural Farming workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 25 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 26, 2016 at Kahanu Garden in Hāna.

What is Korean Natural Farming? Master Han Kyu Cho of South Korea developed this innovative farming system that not only promotes sustainability and food security, but also produces more with less cost and labor.

Korean Natural Farming focuses on living soil and indigenous microorganisms, and maximizes the use of on-farm resources, recycles farm waste, and minimizes external inputs while fostering soil health and sustainable agriculture.

What Does the Workshop Include? In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to improve soil health and productivity by using the ancient art of nutrient extracts and fermentation. They will experience how to make various Korean Natural Farming inputs such as indigenous microorganism (IMO) soil inoculant, fish amino acids, water-soluble calcium, and Oriental herbal nutrient (OHN).

What is the Workshop Cost? A $100 workshop fee includes registrants receiving $100 worth of inputs to take back to their farm or garden to apply. The workshop also includes lunch by Maui Tropical Plantation on both days.  Registration will close after the first 50 paid, and attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that one might garden in.

Who is Encouraged to Attend? Korean Natural Farming is applicable to many types and scales of farming—from backyard vegetable gardening to larger scale farm or livestock operations. Participants will walk away from the workshop equipped with the knowledge to implement KNF practices on their own farm or garden.

Instructors: The workshop will be taught by three Korean Natural Faming certified instructors:

• Seth Raabe is the farm manager of Mahele Farm in Hāna, a community farm that serves as an educational, sustainable and healthy food resource for the isolated east Maui region. He is certified in Korean Natural Farming.
• Vincent Mina co-owns and operates Kahanu ʻĀina Greens in Wailuku. Last year alone, this family farm produced 21,000 pounds of food within just 2,000 square feet of space using Korean Natural Farming techniques and plant-based compost. Mina is also the statewide president of the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, which includes 900 members and ten chapters across five islands. He is certified in Korean Natural Farming and JADAM Organic practices.
• Ricky Apana is the owner of Maui Bio Char, and is active in making bio char and IMO-3 (a Korean Natural Farming amendment) in bulk. He is also certified in Korean Natural Farming and JADAM Organic practices.

To register or for details, visit HFUUHI.org and select “Events.”