Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 5, 1 May 2017 — Local farms offer 'behind-the-scenes' tours [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Local farms offer 'behind-the-scenes' tours

There's a growing demand for locally sourced food but not everyone is aware of what it takes to produce it. On May 6, several North Shore farms will offer a glimpse into the business of farming. The second annual Parade of Farms features tours of several North Shore farms, as well as an open house featuring activities and informational booths at Waialua Sugar Mill. A farmer's market will be open until 12:30 p.m. "Over the past few years, we've seen a growing emphasis on 'buying loeal,' whieh is wonderful, but shifting the focus from the consumer to the farmer and taking time to understand the reality of farming is also important," said Jean Brokish, executive director of the O'ahu Resource Conservation & Development Council. "Offering

opportunities for people to actually visit and step foot onto the loeal farms where their food is grown strengthens community eonnections and motivates people to buy locally grown food." Farms offering tours include Counter Culture, Mālama Loko Ea Fishpond, Mohala Farms, Monsanto's Haleiwa Farm, Nā Mea Kūpono, Sweet Land Farm, Twin Bridge Farms and Waialua Estate Coffee & Chocolate. While the event is free to the puhlie, tours prices vary and must be booked in advance. The Parade of Farms will be held May 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is available at the Waialua Sugar Mill, where transportation to the tours will be provided. For more information or to register, visit https:// parade-of-farms.org. M-Ka Wai Ola Staff

Above, Mōlama Loko Ea Fishpond, (at left to right) Mohala Farms and Sweet Land Farm are just a few farms to visit. - Photos: Courtesy