FUTURE PROJECTS
We look forward to many branches of the Hamakua Harvest tree, some of our visions include:
COMPOST FACILITY
Hāmākua Harvest’s Compost Production Facility will add value to the project’s green waste and use specifically grown nitrogen-rich plant material to create a high-quality soil amendment for use on-site as well as for commercial sale.
HAMAKUA HARVEST FARM STORE
Hāmākua Harvest’s Farm Store will include locally grown fresh produce, orchard fruits and value-added goods – all made on-site or on nearby farms. Assorted packages and gift boxes will be offered, featuring attractive combinations of products made by different regional producers. Value-added products suitable for shipping will also be available through an online store, which will give farmers an option of linking to their own website to facilitate direct sales. Inside the store a value-added product showcase will highlight the region’s artisanal foods.
VALUE ADDED PROCESSING CENTER:
(Launch date to be determined) – Hāmākua Harvest’s multi-purpose processing facility will offer a new, shared-use, fully licensed commercial kitchen for Hāmākua farmers and value-added producers.
The facility will be designed to expand modularly in response to changing producer demands. Based on a community-wide survey identifying producer needs and priorities, the first stage will include: produce sorting, washing, trimming/cutting, and packing; commercial dehydrating, juicing, and canning; and ample dry, refrigerated, and freezer storage space. Future development will be based on updated assessments of user needs, and may include fermenting, flash freezing, and pulverizing.
The facility will be available for rent at a competitive, all-inclusive hourly rate. State-of-the-art, energy-efficient equipment will help reduce operating costs. Facility byproducts will be converted into high-quality organic compost, demonstrating best practices for sustainability and self-sufficiency while providing an additional revenue stream.
The facility will also offer education and business training to help producers understand the regulations, licenses, and costs associated with value-added production. Opportunities for collaborative or cooperative arrangements among small-scale producers will be explored early on to foster the scale and consistency needed to compete in the marketplace.
The facility will initially be owned and operated by Hāmākua Harvest, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, however the project intends to transition to the first cooperative, worker-owned component of Hāmākua Harvest.
We would like to thank the County of Hawai‘i and Scott Enright from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture for providing Hāmākua Harvest with a grant to initiate planning for this project.
LEARNING CENTER
Launch date to be determined) – Hāmākua Harvest’s Learning Center will consist of both classroom and hands-on educational programs as well as tours and will be available for all ages and interest levels—from home gardeners to new and experienced farmers.Educational programs will also be designed for area youth, particularly those who may be interested in a future farming occupation, and offered for free to local schoolchildren.
Informational kiosks will be placed throughout the property for day guests, drawing attention to noteworthy botanical species and the area’s cultural and agricultural history. Custom agritourism programs will also be developed to highlight other points of interest in the region, including tours of other local farm enterprises.
The Learning Center will also house a bookstore and resource center to disseminate information and facilitate farmer-to-farmer interactions, which are vital in order for farming communities to thrive.
RENEWABLE ENERGY HOUSE
(Launch date to be determined) – This affordable housing model will incorporate cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, demonstrating that affordable and sustainable building practices can go hand in hand. Development of this project may be patterned after the work of The Florida House/Institute and the Honda/UC Davis Smart Home, while emphasizing the use of local materials and sustainable design (e.g., natural ventilation and lighting). The building space may also double as a community meeting place, and be supported wholly or in part by grant funds and university competitions.