WELCOME
Welcome to IFU’s Farmer’s Bulletin! Stay informed on our monthly meetings, classes, how to activate member benefits, easy access links to agricultural resource and assistance programs. IFU is a place for our farming community to exchange knowledge and support one another. Thank you for your membership!
Mark your calendar for Talk Story Hour with IFU!
We look forward to seeing you all at the next IFU Talk Story Hour. Here we will take the time to introduce new members as well as talk story about upcoming events.
Join us, Saturday, September 3rd at 9am HST via Zoom.
Join us via Zoom by clicking here!
-FARMER’S RESOURCES-
Monthly Member Meeting
Mark your calendars for our monthly members meeting!
At this time we host our monthly meetings via Zoom but look forward to the future of meeting in person.
Date: Saturday, September 3rd, 2022 at 9-10am
Host: Independent Farmers United
How to Access: Click the button below to join Zoom meeting.
Farmers Expo Event 2023!
Farmers Expo Event Early 2023!
IFU has secured expo space for farmers and growers to attend to sell their products.
Open to both current and future IFU members:
Vendor area including a table will be available for the day event at a cost of $50
The opportunity to meet other vendors and growers. Creating exposure for your products.
Stay tuned for a date and final information by the end of this year.
Volunteers needed for event, please inquire.
Low Interest AG Loans Available
Consider a low interest Ag loan for your farm.
Our next members meeting will include a FSA Loan specialist who will discuss with us some great loan options for your business.
Contact your local FSA Office for information:
Hawaii County FSA Office
154 Waianuenue Ave. #122 Hilo, HI 96720
Ph: (808) 933-8381 Ext 2
-BENEFITS & RESOURCES-
Please find quick links below to activate your IFU shipping benefits and other resources you may find helpful in growing your business.
UPS
For instruction on how to activate your UPS account, click here.
IFU Members will receive UPS Discounts based on services:
2nd Day Air to Mainland: 60%+ off published rates.
Next Day Air Inter-island: 26.5%+ off published rates.
Residential Surcharge: 50% (total surcharge after discount $2.35) off published rates.
ALOHA CARGO
For instruction on how to activate your Aloha Cargo account, click here.
Aloha Air Cargo services HNL, ITO, KOA, OGG, and LIH in Hawaii, as well as LAX, LAS, and SEA on the US mainland.
IFU Members will receive a 40% discount off published tariff rates, (charged per pound). Inter-island shipments must be pre-paid; fuel and other charges may apply.
Meet our newest shipping partner!
Dependable Hawaiian Express (DHX) is commited to offering competitive freight rates from all Hawaii ports to the Continental US and Guam.
For instructions on how to activate your DHX account, click here!
LAND LEASING OPPORTUNITIES
W.H. Shipman - is committed to careful master planning that integrates and balances its land use with the needs of the growing Puna district. Please contact us for information!
Agricultural Resource Management Division, Department of Agriculture - Manages agricultural lots at Hamakua, Kahuku, Keahole, Kekaha, Molokai, Pahoa, Panaewa, Waianae, Waimanalo I, and Kalaeloa. Agricultural parks are areas set aside specifically for agricultural activities to encourage continuation or initiation of such operations. The State’s Agricultural Park Program makes land available to small farmers at reasonable cost with long-term tenure.
USDA/FSA Resources
As a Farmer when a disaster strikes, Documentation is very important! File acreage records with FSA and keep good records. Crop plantings and production, inventory of Trees, etc.
Micro-loans: an operation loan up to $50,000 to pay for annual operating expenses, supplies, equipment, vehicles and family living expenses. Flexibly eligibility requirements, 3.75% Fixed Interest Rate, Up to 7 Years.
Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment (RTCP): Cost assistance, reimbursement for a portion of the transportation cost of their agricultural commodity, or transporting inputs used to produce a commodity during a fiscal year.
Deadlines to report acreage:
September 30th - Floriculture
December 2nd - Honey Bee Colonies
December 16th - Forage
Hawai’i Island USDA/FSA Contacts:
Keisan Tamura, CED
Debbie Jitchaku, Program Technician
Gail Sandstrom, Program Technician
Hawaii County FSA Office
154 Waianuenue Ave. #122 Hilo, HI 96720
Ph: (808) 933-8381 Ext 2
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
The Kohala Center - Founded in the year 2000, The Kohala Center is an independent research, education, and ‘āina stewardship non-profit for healthier ecosystems.
Hawaii Small Business Development Center -
The Hawai‘i Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a program of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Oahu Agriculture & Conservation Association - Offers workshops and resources to assist landowners and land managers (landowner workshops and cooperator process), new and immigrant farmer training (Together We Farm), pre-service teacher education, in-service teacher education (PLT), and more.
Plants & Growing Material
If interested in ordering seedlings of any kind, please email IFU with your specific request.
