By local sources Five Hawaii farms, including two on the Big Island, will receive $285,930 in grants to market better their goods and services. This will add to efficiency to their operations and value to the products, announced U.S. Congress
Five Hawaii farms, including two on the Big Island, will receive $285,930 in grants to market better their goods and services. This will add to efficiency to their operations and value to the products, announced U.S. Congress members Daniel Inouye, Mazie Hirono and Colleen Hanabusa Monday.
The funds come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grant Program.
Mauna Kea Tea will receive $27,750. The company, owned by Takahiro and Kimberly Ino, produces green tea that is grown on the rainy slope of Mauna Kea under strict management, with no chemical pesticides and fertilizer.
More than $58,000 will be given to Hawaii Cattle Producers Cooperative Association, a co-op of 50 ranch members statewide that oversees transportation, marketing and other services of interest to the beef industry. In 2010, it began producing and supplying Foodland Supermarkets with a quality primal ground beef products.
Kalapana Organics LLC in Papaikou will receive $12,000. This family-run farm and business grows various organic products, including sugarcane, bananas, papayas, citrus, avocados, ginger, tumeric, casava and taro.
Other funding includes $140,000 to MV Farms Inc. on Oahu and $48,000 to Noni Biotech International on Maui.
“In this economic climate, these grants will help small businesses create and retain jobs,” said Inouye. “Any businesses engaging in innovative agricultural production will create new economic opportunities in rural Hawaii and move our state closer to food self-sustainability.”
By local sources
