Ian Kennedy credits GoFarm Hawaiʻi (GFH) with leveling up his farming business, Strata Farms. “It gave me the financial literacy of startup costs in a farm, my first exposure to cash-flow projections to determine business viability, and allowed me to feel confident investing into farming as a career,” said Ian Kennedy, a 2024 graduate of the Waimānalo GoFarm AgIncubator. Through the program, Ian joined a hui of 10 other farmers to learn diversified vegetable production.
An extension program of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), GoFarm Hawaiʻi is training the next generation of agriculture leaders in modern farming and business practices. More than 600 local farmers have graduated from the program since 2013 and are using the knowledge gained through the program to build their small-scale operations. Supporting small farmers is vital for the future of local food production—90% of the state’s farmers cultivate crops on less than 50 acres of land, according to the 2023 Hawaiʻi State Data Book.
GoFarm Hawaiʻi blends classroom instruction with hands-on experience in sustainable vegetable production and business management. This approach empowers participants to succeed as “agri-preneurs,” driving local food production and strengthening the agricultural economy. Last year, the program provided 15,430 training hours to 88 participants, who are projected to produce 1.8 million pounds of food in the next five years.
Growing more fruits, vegetables, and livestock in Hawaiʻi
In 2024, graduates averaged 44 years old—17 years younger than the average farmer in Hawaiʻi. Nearly 90% of graduates since 2022 have launched farm businesses or joined the agriculture workforce, addressing the state’s aging farmer population. Their work keeps the state moving forward in our shared vision of a Hawaiʻi where more of our fruits, vegetables, and proteins are grown, harvested, and prepared by our neighbors.
The program offers graduates ongoing support and land access for up to three years, providing them a low-risk opportunity to start their own businesses. Since 2017, participants have reached nearly $1.5 million in farm sales, showcasing GFH’s impact on fostering sustainable farm businesses.
GFH’s innovative approach exemplifies UH’s commitment to workforce development, one of the pillars of UH’s strategic plan. To learn more, visit GFH’s website or e-mail info@gofarmhawaii.org.
