Hoʻōla Veteran Services 501(c)(3), d.b.a. Hoʻōla Farms was established in 2015 to provide natural agriculture educational training and hands-on experiences for military Veterans and first responders, their families and caregivers, and the community in hopes of creating a more sustainable future and well-being for all. 

Today, we are thrilled to share the inspiring journey of Cory and Mark Stephenson as they launch their agribusiness, Timu Tele Farm!

Mark served in the Army as a firefighter for four years before transitioning to the Department of Defense, where he has continued firefighting for over 20 years. The couple’s three sons have all served in the military, with one still active as a paramedic in combat rescue. They also have a daughter pursuing a nursing career, a granddaughter, and another grandchild on the way!

During this time, Cory was a dedicated stay-at-home mom, soccer mom, football mom, canoe mom, and more. When her children grew up, she found herself asking, “What do I do with my life now?”

Cory’s long-standing love for growing plants and her interest in agriculture and Veteran programs led her to discover Hoʻōla Farms. Despite not having farming experience or land, she began taking our classes. Cory humorously recalls feeling like a “poser,” but her enthusiasm for farming grew, along with dreams of starting a family farm. 

Over the years, Cory has participated in several of our programs, many of them where she received a caregiver scholarship, including:

• Groundwork to Grow: Financials for Farms
• Groundwork to Grow: The Art of Beekeeping
• Victory Gardens for Veterans
• Growing Veterans: Sponsored by Hoʻōla Farms, she completed GoFarm Hawaiʻi’s 7-month commercial agriculture training.
• Volunteer at Hawai’i Farm-to-Car

Funding for these programs is made possible by USDA/NIFA 7 U.S.C. 3319, Section 7405 of P.L. 107-171, as amended., Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program and Section 760 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (H.R. 244) Enhancing Agriculture Opportunities for Military Veterans.

After graduating from GoFarm Hawaiʻi, Cory applied for the competitive AgIncubator program, where she was selected as one of three participants (go Cory!). This program provided her with the opportunity to start an independent business, growing crops on land provided by GoFarm Hawaiʻi for a minimal monthly fee for three years. 

It was during this time that Cory and Mark officially founded their family farm, Timu Tele Farm. Mark is originally from Samoa. The name “Timu Tele” in Samoan means “rains a lot,” and as Mark says, “In Hilo, it rains a lot, and rain brings life.”

With the support of the Hoʻōla ʻohana and their experience volunteering at the Hawaiʻi Farm-to-Car market, Cory and Mark quickly got their farm up and running, selling their produce.

As Mark approaches retirement, the couple plans to farm full-time.

From the entire Hoʻōla Farms team, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Cory and Mark for their countless volunteer hours at Hawai’i Farm-to-Car and congratulate Cory on her hard work and dedication to completing these courses. This is just the beginning. We can’t wait to watch Timu Tele Farm flourish!