THE MAUI FARM - FOOD NETWORK

Farm to Market to Table - A Sustenance and Sustainability Continuum

By definition, “Diversified Agriculture, Farming”, the Alexander &

Baldwin (“A&B”) and Hawaii Commercial & Sugar Company (“HC&S”) Plan and

“Regenerative Agriculture”, the Malama `Āina, Maui Tomorrow Project, have

commonality by improving current agricultural practices. To incorporate, meld

and infuse their advantages and distinctions will join and harness the best

agricultural and biodiversity approaches of each. The ‘Maui Farm - Food

Network’ will interconnect systems of inputs, labor, land, capital, governance,

knowledge and culture to cohesively enhance and improve agricultural

production, distribution, consumption systems and most importantly establish

an agricultural food network from farm to market to table inclusive of all

parties to the continuum.

DIVERSIFIED FARMING Systems (DFS). “Farming practices and

landscapes that intentionally include functional biodiversity at multiple spatial

and/or temporal scales in order to maintain ecosystem services that provide

critical inputs to agriculture, such as soil fertility, pest and disease control,

water use efficiency, and pollination. DFS are often embedded in social,

political, and economic conditions that differ from those accompanying

industrialized monocultures, particularly with respect to core stakeholders,

markets, and distribution systems. Yet, DFS may not always be able to realize

their potential social-ecological benefits due to the lack of enabling

environments.” [Emphasis Supplied]

NOTE: Enabling environment. Interrelated conditions, legal,

governmental, fiscal, informational, institutional, political, and cultural that

negatively impact and minimize the capacity and capability of parties to

maximize their collective efforts and resources to effectively and efficiently

reach their intended goals and achieve excellence.

Source: Kremen, C., A. Iles, and C. Bacon. 2012. Diversified farming systems:

an agroecological, systems-based alternative to modern industrial agriculture.

Ecology and Society 17(4): 44. http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-05103-170444

“REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE is any kind of farming that enables the

restorative capacity of the earth. Regenerative agriculture preserves or

improves the fertility of the soil, creates an abundance of food and other

agricultural products, contributes to vibrant communities and equitable

economies, and respects the ecology of the natural world. Fertile soil helps

create nourishing food and, in turn, healthy people and robust communities.”

Source: Farmers Without Borders. http://www.regenerationcsa.org/how-we-farm.html

Respect our kuleana

Respect the `aina

Respect our culture and traditions

Respect what is best for the People of the State of Hawai`i

The collaboration of our multi-ethnic cultures, Hawaii’s agricultural heritage,

our fragile environment and unique ecosystems and taking positive actions to

restore balance and make right for the People is made difficult as the path is

fraught with competing interests and self-perpetuating agendas.

Let us join hands. Come together and move forward together. Aloha ….