In this episode of Voices From the Field, O'ahu farmer Joe McGinn discusses the challenges faced by Hawaii ag producers, including thin margins, increasing costs, government regulations, and natural disasters. He emphasizes the importance of having a support system, including cultural and seasonal support, courage, and connection to overcome these challenges. Joe highlights the importance of addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of agriculture, prioritizing farmers' well-being, and creating safe spaces for social connection and mental health support.

We hope you enjoy this rebroadcast of an earlier episode you may not have heard. If you are an ag producer or affiliate and wish to be on a future podcast, please complete the "Contact Us" form on our website here.

Find out more about us:

• Seeds Of Wellbeing website
• Seeds of Wellbeing Resource Hub
• All the SOW links

In this episode we aim to address some of the common legal questions raised by the Hawaii agriculture producers we have met. We are grateful to Cat Taschner, co-founder of the nonprofit Business Law Corps in Hawaii. At a recent meeting with the University of Hawaii’s “AgConnect” course, she addressed questions she often hears and agreed to share an edited version here. She discusses topics like legal structure, liability waivers, contracts, online taxes, where webinars and templates for common legal documents are available, and how to sign up for free 30 minute calls to answer specific questions.

Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seeds of Well-being (SOW) Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

Resources:

• Business Law Corps
• Free Legal Consultations
  • MCBL Hawaii
  • HTDC
• Restart Hawaii webinar series
• DPP guidance related to camper vans:
  • Staying in a vacation van or recreation vehicle (RV) on a lot is considered camping.
  • Camping is allowed as a part of outdoor recreation. (“Recreation Facilities, Outdoor” means permanent facilities for active outdoor sports and recreation, other than golf courses. Typical uses include: parks, playgrounds, botanical gardens, golf driving ranges, tennis courts, riding stables, academies and trails, and recreational camps.)
  • Outdoor recreation requires a conditional use permit (except in the Resort District). CUP available only in the P-2, AG-2, Country, business and business mixed use districts. Outdoor recreation is not an allowable use in the residential, apartment or industrial uses.
• Food Truck Permit Resources:
  • https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/csd/csd_docs/Food_Truck_Infomation_Mar_2022.pdf
  • https://health.hawaii.gov/san/files/2013/05/how-to-start-a-mobile-FE-0617.pdf
• DCCA Hawaii Business Express
• US Federal Trademarks
• Contact Business Law Corps
• The YouTube version of this podcast with slides

Find out more about us:

• Seeds Of Wellbeing website
• Seeds of Wellbeing Resource Hub
• All the SOW links

It has been said that the nine most terrifying words in the English language are “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” but in our episode with Buddy Nichols from the US Department of Ag’s Farm Service Agency, there is nothing to fear! Listen as we talk about their loan program that may be the first place you want to look for loans as an ag producer, and we also speak about FSA’s role related to the Maui wildfires.

Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resources (CTAHR), and the Seeds of Well-being (SOW) Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

Resources:

• USDA Farm Service Agency website
• Podcast about microloans through Kohala Center
• Podcast about Steward Lending and Feed the Hunger
• Podcast with American AgCredit and GoFarm
• Podcast with Kamehameha Schools about Food Systems
• Buddy Nichols' contact information: (808) 214-1739 or richard.nichols@usda.gov

Find out more about us:

• Seeds Of Wellbeing website
• Seeds of Wellbeing Resource Hub
• All the SOW links