Introducing New Models for Overcoming Labor Barriers to the Economic Viability of Hawai’i Island’s Farms

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Commodities

Practices

• Farm Business Management: labor/employment
• Sustainable Communities: employment opportunities, partnerships

Since 2021, the Hawai’i Island Agriculture Partnership (HIAP) has been building a collaborative model for farms to share equipment, services, and labor for improved economic efficiency and profitability. This project will build upon those efforts to work with HIAP members in aligning interests and opportunities for establishing a HIAP labor improvement initiative that addresses the challenges faced by small, local farms.

HIAP provides a useful structure for addressing this key challenge. HIAP’s workforce development strategy team will serve as an advisory council for the project. Key project activities will include:

• Outreach and engagement with at least 60 producers, farm workers, and agricultural service providers through meetings and focus groups to review and discuss the local relevance of four farm labor business models identified in a previous SARE research study titled, "Creative Farm Business Models to Address Hiring, Training, and Management Barriers" (LNE19 – 386R);

• Establishing a HIAP labor improvement initiative that incorporates elements of the four labor models agreed by farmers and farm workers as having the most potential for overcoming farm labor challenges on Hawai’i Island; and

• Developing a set of web-based educational materials and at least two educational workshops that help farmers understand the new labor business models, service providers and other potential options for overcoming their labor challenges.

The objectives of this project draw upon the conclusions and lessons of the original SARE research (LNE19 – 386R) to determine the appropriate labor business models most suitable for Hawaii Island. 

Objective 1: By month 6, increase at least 60 farmers and farmworkers’ knowledge of the four innovative labor business models from previous SARE research and gather feedback on which have the most potential for Hawai’i Island. Farmers will have improved understanding of the specific challenges of applying each labor business model in a local context.

Objective 2: By month 12, improve knowledge and awareness of farmers’ about farm labor issues and potential solutions on Hawai’i Island, collectively creating a labor improvement initiative to HIAP’s workforce development strategy. 

Objective 3: By month 18, increase the technical capacity of HIAP members in implementing labor improvements under its workforce development strategy by developing a set of web-based educational and awareness materials and at least two educational workshops that help farmers understand new business models, service providers, and options for overcoming their pervasive labor challenges.