Starting an Organic Farm (Captain Cook: lease, how much, buyers)

[paindude]

Hello,


We recently moved to Captain Cook, and have a LOT to learn. We are soaking up information from the few people we've been able to meet so far.



We planned on doing Tai Chi on the beach and learning to play a ukulele. Then, Covid



So we're trying to lease our acre of coffee trees out, find mulch,compost to build up the soil, and are looking for ideas of what to grow that can be taken to the Farmers Market on Sundays.



Or, we may buy a small processing setup and process the coffee our selves. I was warned that there's no money to be made growing coffee, and that its hard work. I didn't want to believe them.

We're also in need of a wood chipper, tractor and any other equipment farmers need here. The lava rock makes everything challenging.

[Plantastic]

So, is there a question?

Or, are you just thinking out loud?

[grantw]

The big secret to "local farming" is that many of the "farmers" buy their produce from Costco or the Product Wholesaler and then resale at the farmer's market as though the produce is local grown.

Notice how the roadside stands have shut down but there isn't a glut of local produce?
Ever wonder why the prices at the farmer's markets are just about the same price as the grocery stores?

Once the visitors stopped coming, the gig was up and the majority of the fruit stands shut down.

Also, your post might be better served in the Big Island forum.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Paindude, if you want to know what to sell at the local farmer's market, I suggest that you visit a Sunday or two and see what is already being sold there. Our little market here in Na`alehu has at least five different vendors selling produce, many of whom do grow themselves. I agree with grantw, however, when I see some of the vendors selling pineapples with the Dole sticker on them

We also have two vendors selling local made honey, one selling goat cheese, and one selling mushrooms.

And, yes, picking and processing coffee is hard work. I have five trees on my lot, and that's about all I can handle.

[MikeyMike11]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

Paindude, if you want to know what to sell at the local farmer's market, I suggest that you visit a Sunday or two and see what is already being sold there. Our little market here in Na`alehu has at least five different vendors selling produce, many of whom do grow themselves. I agree with grantw, however, when I see some of the vendors selling pineapples with the Dole sticker on them

We also have two vendors selling local made honey, one selling goat cheese, and one selling mushrooms.

And, yes, picking and processing coffee is hard work. I have five trees on my lot, and that's about all I can handle.

Or lettuce and greens! Definitely repacked Costco produce, bec of the rat lungworm.

How much coffee will 5 trees produce? We would be looking to grow our own coffee, but we drink A LOT OF COFFEEEEEE!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Originally Posted by MikeyMike11

Or lettuce and greens! Definitely repacked Costco produce, bec of the rat lungworm.

How much coffee will 5 trees produce? We would be looking to grow our own coffee, but we drink A LOT OF COFFEEEEEE!

That’s why you need to get to know the vendors. I stop and talk with a couple of them, find out where their farm is located, discuss growing issues. There are several at our market who are obviously local growers and the quality of their produce reflects that. Lots better than repacked Costco! And I carefully wash everything when I get home.

I’m working on my second harvest. First harvest I got about five pounds , and this harvest looks to double that. Luckily I don’t drink a lot of coffee

[hotzcatz]

For locally grown produce there's always the Filipino markets. They have a lot of locally grown produce and very reasonable prices.



We're seeing a lot more local produce among the community. A lot of it is donated to the folks feeding the community.


As for what to farm, pick something that can be grown and processed without much additional help is what I'd choose. Also something that has buyers. Years back, there was someone who grew an acre of aloe vera just to find nowhere that would buy it since there's not any processing facilities for it around here.