Beauty Sustains

Not everything that happens at Kalaeha Farm is solely about raising food.  We are also sustained by the beauty and wonder of  the world around us.



Days of high sun, days of gentle rains create an environment for plants, animals and people to grow and thrive.






We fill our bellies and hearts equally.

Goings On

I have been away for the summer but upon my return I have found many improvements around Kalaeha Farm.

 An ongoing battle with Wainaku grass finds some headway being made.  It has been called "one of the world's worst weeds," because of its persistent growth and spread by means of a hardy system of rhizomes. 



A Taro bed cleared of Wainaku grass.

Corn growing in a cleared area.  Note the moat-like ditch which keeps weeds from re-establishing.

A close-up look at Wainaku rhizomes being removed.

Sheep shed almost completed.  Lambs will be born this autumn.

Clearing and maintaining fences.  Feral pigs can be a nuisance!

If the soil is tilled normally, these root nodules sprout right back, often crowding out field crops such as corn or Taro.

Farmer Scot, with the able help and hard work of his WOOF-er crew, Magi, Sasha, Andrew, Wesley, Kyle, Ryan, Brandy have been able to largely eradicate this introduced pest plant.  Garden beds are dug and then all rhizomes are carefully removed by hand.  The edge of the bed is dug with a deep trench so that new weeds cannot re-establish.


Check out some photos of this process as well as other on-going projects.

 It's a challenging job, but we find it highly rewarding to see the soil purged of this weed and growing beds of delicious vegetables!

Rain

The Kalaeha Farm is located on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island.  Once a rain forest, the farm is situated on what most recently was part of a large sugarcane operation.  In the past it was not unusual to receive 250+ inches of rain.  Over the recent few years we have had much less, and so relatively drought-like conditions.  Catchment water is a bit of a gamble, so conservation is key between  wet periods.  Mulch and compost help hold the moisture in the soil, as does hand watering the garden beds.

One of several catchment tanks.
 This holds 2700 gal.

Water is the lifeblood of any farm, even in the tropics.  And the lack of rain causes us concern. We are frequently looking for creative ways to collect and save this precious liquid.
One gung hoe volunteer has even taken to bathing in a nearby stream!  Although this is beyond the call, we do try to keep our showers short.
A new catchment system is in future plans, meanwhile we look to the skies.

Chicken Delight

Chickens in a carousel style pen.

The farm was recently gifted with a small flock of chickens.  To avoid conflict with the already established flock, we build a new pen.  It gave us the opportunity to experiment with an innovative design while using recycled/re-purposed materials, such as old chain link and garden fence, milk crates, tarps, and wood culled from the nearby forest.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of the pen is that it rotates 360 degrees, allowing the hens access onto a large portion of new grassy ground.  When the grass is picked over after a week or so, the movable end of the pen is lifted and rotated onto new browse.  Fresh browse makes for happy hens!

Happy chickens.
 

Berry Time

Spring seems to be a time for strawberries here on the farm.  Three patches, all created by woofer volunteers, are producing several quarts daily, which are a prized sale items at the local market.  An area recently planted in blueberries seems to be taking hold as well, although only producing a handful now and then.  We shall see...some of what is grown here is of an experimental nature.  Farming in Hawaii has a bit of a gamble to it, but when plants take off, they often produce bountifully!

Welcome to Piha Farm!

Located on the Hamaku'a coast, some 20 miles north of Hilo, Hawaii, Piha Farm grows primarily organic vegetables, berries, fruit, eggs and more.  Owned and Operated by Scot Sanderson the farm, about 20 acres of pasture, forest, fields, gardens, and greenhouses provides locally grown food for family, neighbors, and local markets. 

Sustainability is a philosophy which finds its way into everyday activities on the farm.  Secondhand materials often find their way into the construction of buildings at the farm.  The "two reason rule" underscores the idea that many items can find a second and third life through creative recycling and reuse.  The farm strives to find new ways, better ways, to live in harmony with the local and global environment.

Photovoltaics provide all electrical needs.  Rainwater, collected in several catchment systems, provides all water needs. 

Scot's unique system of composting creates nutrient rich soils which are used in raised beds, sheltered in two large greenhouses as well as outdoor gardens.

Farm work is supplemented through contributions made by temporary volunteers, provided through the WWOOF Hawaii program.  These volunteers make important contributions of their time and labor doing daily chores, working on building projects, and farm maintenance.  In return, hands-on experience is offered, with opportunities to learn organic farming, composting, animal husbandry, market sales, construction, and much more.  Each day can provide different challenges and opportunities.  Volunteers are provided with shelter, a hot shower, food, and occasional transportation to Hilo.  Trips to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Kona beaches can be arranged.

Interested in "Woof-ing?"  Contact WWOOF Hawaii, http://wwoofhawaii.org/ and search Piha Farm.  Aloha!