GoFarm Hawaiʻi grows Maui’s next generation of farmers – University of Hawaii System

Report on the GoFarm Hawaiʻi Agricultural Training Program and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The GoFarm Hawaiʻi program, an initiative of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), is actively training its 10th cohort of new farmers on Maui. This report details the program’s structure and curriculum, with a significant emphasis on its direct contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to food security, education, economic growth, and sustainable production.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The GoFarm Hawaiʻi initiative is fundamentally aligned with several key SDGs by fostering a new generation of farmers committed to sustainable practices. The program’s core objectives directly support:

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By increasing the number of local food producers, the program enhances food security, promotes sustainable agriculture, and builds resilience in local food systems.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): It provides inclusive and equitable quality education through specialized, hands-on vocational training in modern and sustainable agricultural techniques.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The program promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth by creating a clear pathway to entrepreneurship and farm ownership, thereby generating decent work in the agricultural sector.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Training focuses on sustainable production patterns, including soil health management and direct-to-consumer models like Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which foster responsible consumption.

Program Structure and Phased Training

The program is structured in progressive phases to ensure comprehensive skill development, moving participants from foundational knowledge to practical farm management.

1. Phase 1: AgXposure

   This initial five-week phase provides participants with broad exposure to the local agricultural landscape. By visiting diverse production systems and learning from established farmers, aspiring farmers gain a practical understanding of the industry. This experiential learning model is a key component of achieving SDG 4 by linking theoretical knowledge with real-world application.

2. Phase 2: AgXcel

   Nine students from the current cohort have advanced to this seven-month intensive training phase. The curriculum is designed to build technical and business competencies essential for sustainable farm operation. Key training modules and their SDG impacts include:

   • Sustainable Crop Production: Lessons on soil health, equipment operation, and harvest techniques directly support SDG 2 and SDG 12 by teaching methods for sustainable and productive farming.
   • Entrepreneurial Development: Training in farm financials, marketing, and sales equips students with skills to create viable businesses, contributing to SDG 8.
   • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Project: Participants are required to develop and implement a crop plan for a seven-week CSA subscription box. This practical exercise directly advances SDG 12 by connecting producers with consumers and promoting local, sustainable food systems.

3. Phase 3: AgIncubator

   Upon graduation in April 2026, participants who demonstrate farm management proficiency can apply for the AgIncubator program. This final stage provides a pathway to farm ownership, solidifying the program’s long-term impact on SDG 8 by fostering new agricultural enterprises.

Conclusion

The GoFarm Hawaiʻi program serves as a critical educational and economic development initiative. By systematically training new farmers in sustainable and entrepreneurial practices, it makes a direct and measurable contribution to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, thereby strengthening the resilience and sustainability of Hawaiʻi’s food system.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article’s central theme is the GoFarm Hawaiʻi program, which aims to “cultivate the future of sustainable agriculture.” This directly supports the goal of ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The program is an educational initiative providing vocational training. It offers a structured curriculum through its “AgXposure” and “AgXcel” phases, equipping aspiring farmers with technical and business skills.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By training individuals and providing a “pathway to farm ownership,” the program fosters entrepreneurship and creates opportunities for productive employment in the agricultural sector, contributing to local economic growth.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers… The GoFarm Hawaiʻi program directly addresses this by training “new farmers” (small-scale food producers) and equipping them with skills in “crop production,” “farm financials,” and marketing to increase their productivity and manage a successful farm business.
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices… The program’s stated purpose is to “cultivate the future of sustainable agriculture.” The curriculum includes training on “soil health” and “farm systems,” which are fundamental components of sustainable and resilient farming.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The article describes a comprehensive vocational program where students learn “specialized skills” ranging from “equipment operation” and “harvest techniques” to “essential entrepreneurial skills” like marketing and sales, directly preparing them for careers in agriculture.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation… The program is a clear example of supporting entrepreneurship. It provides “business skills development” and a structured “pathway to farm ownership” through its AgIncubator program, encouraging the creation of new small-scale farming enterprises.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Implied Indicator for Target 2.3: The article implies measurement through the success of its graduates. The number of graduates who successfully establish and manage their own farms, and the volume of produce they sell (e.g., through the “7–week Community Supported Agriculture” boxes), would serve as indicators of increased productivity for new small-scale farmers.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 2.4: The number of farms established by graduates that utilize the sustainable practices taught in the program (e.g., focusing on “soil health”) would be an indicator of the proportion of agricultural area under sustainable management.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Implied Indicator for Target 4.4: The article provides direct numbers that can be used as indicators. It mentions the program is training its “10th group” and that “Nine students” have advanced to the AgXcel phase. The number of participants who complete the various phases of the program (AgXposure, AgXcel, AgIncubator) is a direct measure of the number of adults gaining relevant vocational skills.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Implied Indicator for Target 8.3: The ultimate success metric for the program, as implied by the article, is the number of graduates who “demonstrate they can manage a farm” and enter the “AgIncubator program,” which is the “final stage…to farm ownership.” Therefore, the number of new farm businesses created by program graduates is a key indicator.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hawaii.edu