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OVERVIEW: We are convening a core group of whole system thinkers at the Hale Akua Garden Farm at the Sunrise Center in Huelo for five days from July 28 thru August 1st to create whole-system sustainable agricultural models that are 1) economically sound, 2) replicatable, 3) and demonstrate and track documentable results.

Participating will be those that value sustainable systems of agriculture.  This core group will be designing this holistic system.  Our focus is the support of Maui Counties agricultural producers and to recognize the network of networks that makes sustainable local agriculture possible. /span>By developing closed loop systems that utilize our locally available natural resources for the recycling of nutrients and other proven ecological practices, this design will drive policy along with business opportunities.

This network of networks is made up of businesses, government agencies, and non profit organizations that presently serve as the infrastructural support systems needed to build and sustain production resiliency while be economically viable in the marketplace. On the front end of this design plan we intend to develop an education component or center for proper land stewardship practices that fosters agricultural resiliency of local production of food and fiber. On the back end a community-owned distribution cooperative having a personal stake in this systems success with the mission of fueling the local economy.  Distribution of fresh food for local consumption and valued added processed food for export, as in medicinal, nutraceutical and fermentation products to aid in the economic viability of this system.

Most importantly, the goal is to preserve the right to grow and sell agricultural products, especially food.

An Invitation to Get Involved - We invite you to get involved in helping develop a working eco-agricultural plan for Maui County. We are starting in advance by articulating a “network of  networks” relating to farming that will serve as a structure and support system to shift the way we presently do agriculture commercially here on Maui.
Be believe there are many existing and potential players in this effort that can benefit from awareness of each other, and the understanding of what each offers and needs in return.  Designing sustainable environmental resiliency in the commercial production of food, also involves economic sustainability. Economics and business development will be a major focus in this design both for-profit and non-profit.  We also expect to make public policy recommendations.  While our focus is Maui County, our goal is to understand best practices wherever they are, and to share an understanding of the designs and practices that we develop with other communities.

There are several ways you can be involved:

1-The Virtual Conference- Contributing on-line through sharing ideas, challenges, and successes in the production and distribution of food & fiber.

2-Face to Face Conference- The Face to Face Conference requiring online application process with attendance at no cost to participants, which will take place at Hale Akua Garden Farm in Huelo.  This application process requires a commitment to participate for the entire five days.

3-Producer Day- We invite all producers to come on July 29th (Thursday) producer day registration and share their ideas, challenges, and successes in their operations, to assist in  designing the structural support in building up our local food system. (click on)  producer day registration

4-Financial support/Sponsor information- We would appreciate any financial support from our community who want to be part of the solution to revitalize our local agricultural system.  Please see the Financial Sponsorship information below.

Virtual Conference – We are starting our conference early in July using the Maui Food Web site and social networking system with the goal of involving as many people as possible.  We are also taking in to account time and budget constraints faced by all.  Most farmers cannot leave their farms for five days.   The goal of this virtual conference will be to gather and disseminate as much information in advance of the face-to-face event, and then to share the results of the face-to-face event with as many as possible in an ongoing dialog and community resource.

You can get involved right now by registering online:  Virtual Conference Registration. Once registered, we ask you to review our first draft Network of Network Map.   Then click on one or more of the functional networks (e.g. Farm Consultants or Farmers) where you are currently working or have an interest, and join that network.  You will have the ability to post information about what you do, see what others are doing, and also share issues and ideas that are important to you.  You will also be able to dialog with others in the network.   You can also participate in the “Hub” or “Network of Networks’ level.

We will do our best to provide reporting to the virtual conference from the face-to-face conference and seek input as it is taking place.

Our Face-to-Face Event will involve a smaller group of “designers” who will be working intensively over the five days from Wednesday, July 28^th through Sunday, August 1^st at the Hale Akua Garden Farm Sunrise Center.   A pre-requisite for participating in the face-to-face event is a commitment to participate all five days.  To apply to participate in the face-to-face event (remembering that you must commit to all 5 days) go to the Face-to-Face Conference Application Form. (This form is available online at the registration page or call Vincent Mina before hand at 808-357-4999)

Financial Sponsorship - Organizer Maui Aloha Aina has received a planning grant from “Maui County Office of Economic Development” and there are many including the organizers who are volunteering their services realizing the importance of creating such a plan for Maui County.   For information on how you can become a sponsor please contact Vincent Mina- 808-357-4999 maaevents@hawaii.rr.com.

$10,000 to $20,000- Community Aumakua

$5,000 to $9,999- Global Mea Kako’o

$1000 to $4,999 – Ohana

$501 to $999 Na Kua Aina

$1 to $500- Keiki o ka Aina

Registration

Schedule

Its high time we take back the commons and reinvigorate
our local economy with an Eco-Agricultural system.

Mahalo in advance for your participation and support.  Remember you are the event!!!