Seeds Of Wellbeing - SOW

It has been said that the nine most terrifying words in the English language are “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” but in our episode with Buddy Nichols from the US Department of Ag’s Farm Service Agency, there is nothing to fear! Listen as we talk about their loan program that may be the first place you want to look for loans as an ag producer, and we also speak about FSA’s role related to the Maui wildfires.
Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seeds of Well-being (SOW) Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Resources:

• USDA Farm Service Agency website
• Podcast about microloans through Kohala Center
• Podcast about Steward Lending and Feed the Hunger
• Podcast with American AgCredit and GoFarm
• Podcast with Kamehameha Schools about Food Systems
• Buddy Nichols' contact information: (808) 214-1739 or [email protected]

Find out more about us:

• Seeds Of Wellbeing website
• Seeds of Wellbeing Resource Hub
• All the SOW links

In this episode of Voices From the Field, O'ahu farmer Joe McGinn discusses the challenges faced by Hawaii ag producers, including thin margins, increasing costs, government regulations, and natural disasters. He emphasizes the importance of having a support system, including cultural and seasonal support, courage, and connection to overcome these challenges. Joe highlights the importance of addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of agriculture, prioritizing farmers' well-being, and creating safe spaces for social connection and mental health support.

Find out more about us:

• Seeds Of Wellbeing website
• Seeds of Wellbeing Resource Hub
• All the SOW links

If you have lived on Oahu during the COVID pandemic or more recently, then you probably already know about FarmLink. In this episode we speak with its Founder, Rob Barreca about the pre-covid days of this online, local-only food marketplace and how it has grown by leaps and bounds since. We find out how he went from "geek for good" to CEO of an innovative new Hawaii-based company and is now firmly in the role of Chief Technology Officer to ensure FarmLink's success into their promising future.
Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seeds of Well-being (SOW) Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Resources:

• FarmLink
• Olin Lagon
• Holy Cow bar in San Francisco (archive)
• Compost Cab
• GoFarm Hawaii
• Petal Mettle Flowers
• Kamehameha Schools Mahiai Matchup
• Ulupono Initiative
• Elemental Excellerator
• Local Orbit software
• Delivery Biz Pro software
• Shopify web platform
• DaBux SNAP/EBT Discounts
• Ma’o Farms
• Hawaii Banana Source
• Kamehameha Schools Podcast with SOW

Find out more about us:

• Seeds Of Wellbeing website
• Seeds of Wellbeing Resource Hub
• All the SOW links

Many of the people we have interviewed for the SOW project have stressed the enormous importance of water to ag production in Hawaii, and how it can sometimes be either difficult to obtain, expensive, or both.

In this episode we speak with the Reppun brothers Charlie and Paul, farmers from the windward side of Oahu, about the water struggles they have faced, but also about the realities of being involved in the local agriculture scene in Hawaiʻi since the early 1970s.

Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Well-being (SOW) Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Resources:

• Waiāhole-Waikāne valley water struggle
• Daniel Anthony podcast
• Red Hill Water Contamination
• State involvement in Galbraith land purchase
• Aloun Farms in Hoopili
• Kokua Kalihi Valley
• Climate Victory Gardens
• GoFarm Programs

Find out more about us:

• Seeds Of Wellbeing website
• Seeds of Wellbeing Resource Hub
• All the SOW links

In this episode we speak with Senator Tim Richards from the island and County of Hawaiiʻs 4th district. We talk about how this Big Island ag producer became involved in local politics, what it is like at the State Senate, and how he approaches his role as one of the Stateʻs few politicians with local agriculture experience.
Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources, and the Seeds of Well-being (SOW) Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Associated Links:

• Senator Tim Richards
• Jeff Melrose Hawaii Ag Land Use Study
• FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
• Hawaii Farmers Union United
• Hawaii Farm Bureau
• Hilo Ulu Co-op
• Hawaii Cattlemenʻs Council
• Hawaii Future Farmers of America

Find out more about us:

• Seeds Of Wellbeing website
• Seeds of Wellbeing Resource Hub
• All the SOW links