FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: HIP Agriculture Hosts “Super Soil Health Symposium” to Strengthen Hawaiʻi’s Food Systems and Farmer Networks

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NORTH KOHALA, HAWAIʻI - The Hawaiʻi Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HIP Ag) invites farmers, agricultural educators, and community members to join us for the Super Soil Health Symposium, a day of learning, sharing, and collaboration dedicated to advancing regenerative agriculture across Hawaiʻi.

The FREE event will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at HIP Agriculture / Starseed Ranch in North Kohala, followed by an evening of ʻawa, music, and local food from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. featuring live music by Maka Gallinger.

Purpose and Vision
‍The Super Soil Health Symposium is part of HIP Ag’s ongoing commitment to regenerative agriculture and community-based farmer education. The event serves as a platform to disseminate findings from the USDA Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) project on soil health and staple crops, including banana, taro, and sweet potato. These research trials evaluate regenerative practices—such as biochar applications, cover cropping, and Traditional Polynesian Polyculture systems—to provide practical, data-driven strategies for improving soil fertility, crop yields, and resilience statewide.

This symposium is also an extension of HIP Ag’s Local Instructional Farmer Training (LIFT) initiative under the USDA 2501 grant, creating a space for current and past farmer training participants to deepen their skills, share experiences, and network with other local growers.

Why It Matters
‍Hawaiʻi currently imports more than 85% of its food supply, leaving the islands vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and increasing costs. Improving soil health and local production capacity is essential to reversing this trend. Through this symposium, HIP Ag aims to equip farmers with the resources, data, and techniques they need to increase both the quality and quantity of food grown locally—reducing dependence on imports and strengthening Hawaiʻi’s food sovereignty.

Workshops and Offerings
Attendees will participate in educational workshops led by UH Mānoa CTAHR Extension Agents, featuring Dr. Amjad Ahmad and Dr. Ted Radovich, as well as local experts in regenerative farming. Topics include:
• Biochar 101 and Soil Carbon Amendments
• Banana Cultivation with Coconut Chris
• HIP Ag Farm and Soil Health Trial Tour
• Plant Giveaway and Vermiculture Demonstration
• ʻI and ʻĀina Class with Maka Gallinger

The day concludes with community celebration—ʻawa, food, and live music—fostering connection, cultural exchange, and farmer-to-farmer networking.

Registration and Participation
‍All local farmers, agricultural professionals, and interested community members are welcome. Registration is open now at https://tinyurl.com/4kexxzjr

About HIP Agriculture
‍HIP Agriculture is a North Kohala-based nonprofit dedicated to regenerative agriculture, farmer training, and ecosystem restoration. Through initiatives like the Local Instructional Farmer Training (LIFT) program and the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Soil Health Trials, HIP Ag supports the development of a resilient, sustainable food system rooted in indigenous knowledge and scientific research.

Media Contact
HIP Agriculture
Email: programs@hipagriculture.org
Website: www.hipagriculture.org