FOOD SOVEREIGNTY
Farm Business
Support Services
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contributeContact SM's Farm Business Specialist Robert Shizuma for more information! Call (808) 763-7141 or email robert@sustainablemolokai.org
Check out the opportunities and resources below for the Molokai agriculture community.
Learn about the financial opportunities that are available for Molokai farm operations and businesses through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Workshops led by Darrin Vander Plas.
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Food producers and agriculturalists are encouraged to apply for the Maui County Department of Agriculture grants. If you have any questions, please email aggrants@co.maui.hi.us.
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Kuhaʻo Business Center will be reinstating the Farmer Reimbursement Program in the near future for Molokai producers to apply to. Applicants will be able to apply for a reimbursement of up to $5,000 from a pre-approved list of farm materials, PPE, or training fees. Please contact Kuhaʻo Business Center at (808) 553-8100 for more information.
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The Small Business Growth Fund is back! The Small Business Growth Fund is a program that gives small business owners the money they need to make their next move. It is done in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and with funding from Etsy and Progressive. Recipients will receive $5,000-$25,000 grants to accelerate their growth and achieve their goals in 2024.
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The MEO Core Four Business Planning Course enables the development of a realistic, achievable business plan. The six-week, 36-hour course is offered 10 times yearly on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Financial aid is available through grants from the Maui County Office of Economic Development. Classes will be held virtually on Zoom.
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The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund program introduced a new program to support Native Hawaiian farmers across the pae ʻāina. The Mahi ‘Ai Agricultural Loan Program is another way that OHA is meeting the business needs of Native Hawaiians who are starting a farm or expanding an existing one.
For more information email NHRLF@ohaloanfund.org, or call the OHA office at (808) 594-1835.
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From farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation programs to disaster assistance, USDA is here to support you and your operation. Click here for a complete guide to USDA resources!
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Get your farm registered with Farm Service Agency (FSA) - FSA provides disaster assistance, safety net, farm loans, and conservation programs. This is the go-to agency for many USDA records. James Robello is the County Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), serving farmers and ranchers on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. He makes trips to Molokai often and may schedule a meeting with you in-person. For more information, you may contact James directly at james.robello@usda.gov or (808) 214-1740.
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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) NRCS provides technical assistance for planning and conservation practice implementation. Financial assistance is available for conservation on working agricultural lands and easement programs.
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The Hawaii Agriculture & Food Products Database (HAWAII) is all about connecting the world to the farmers and ranchers who grow food in Hawaii. They connect the world to the manufacturers that add value to Hawaii-grown food to create products that showcase Hawaii agriculture.
This program provides direct business support to Molokai farmers and producers. It was developed during our Farmer Training series in 2019 and expanded based on the identified need of our Farmer Training program participants and from the results of the Summer 2021 Hawai’i Farmer & Rancher Focus Group Report (in partnership with HGFA & KUA on behalf of Transforming Hawai’i Food Systems Together).
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