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Groundwork to Grow

Intermediate | Comprehensive 4-week training program for military veterans and community members interested in farming and ranching on Hawaiʻi Island. Scholarships available!

Newly Grow Plant
Group of farmers
Veteran Farmers
Tomato Sprout
tray of eggs
Group of horse
Sheep
Farmers Market
Plants box
Fruit Trees
Vegetables
Bees farm
Tour bees
Planting seeds

🌱 About this Program

Groundwork to Grow is a collection of four-week exposure-based trainings on various agribusiness topics. The program was created to support military veterans and community members interested in farming and ranching on Hawaiʻi Island by providing exposure, skill-based training, and a professional network aimed to help them succeed in agricultural careers. Our ideal participant is someone who already has introductory experience with farming and who is looking to dive deeper and become more invested.

Workshops will cover agriculture topics relevant to beginning farmers and ranchers on Hawaiʻi island, including:

  • Value-Added Production 
  • The Art of Beekeeping with Bird and Bee Hawai’i 
  • Livestock 
  • Orchard & Agroforestry
  • Seed to Plate: Basics of growing food in Hawaiʻi
  • Agribusiness: Financial Literacy 
  • Agribusiness: Marketing and Sales 

Cost to attend 4-week workshops range from $99-$350, depending on the course and equipment.

🎓 Scholarships are available for military veterans and other eligible participants. Those who are interested or who would like additional information can click the button below to fill out our inquiry form or email us at grow@hoolafarms.org.

*Most 4-week workshop consists of:

  • 4 Virtual Classroom sessions
    • Tuesdays from 3:30PM – 5PM
  • 4 Field Days at local operational farms and businesses
    • Saturdays (timing may vary)

Groundwork to Grow trainings can host 8-12 participants per cohort, so space is limited. We will close registrations when capacity is met.

Upcoming Course | November 2026: Agribusiness Development

Our 4-week course consists of four Saturday field days at different East Hawaiʻi Island locations and four Tuesday virtual classes. Whatever your agribusiness, from farmstands and homemade food producers, to value-added products, to restaurants and food trucks, learn from other business owners how they successfully started and scaled, including regulations and permits, sales and marketing, financing, and more.

Dates: November 3-28
Format: Tuesday Zoom sessions + Saturday field days
Location: East Side of Hawai’i Island (various locations)
Cost: $99
Scholarships: Available for veterans
Cohort size: 10–12 participants (space is limited)

LEARN MORE

📅 Dates & How to Participate

There are no current deadlines or further instructions for this program.
Program Sign-Up

🌱 Frequently Ask Question

Program Sign-Up

📍 Location

Exact addresses, if not shown, will be provided later to registered participants.

⚠️ Safety Info

Our programs involve multiple farm tours, which include walking over uneven ground, hands-on farming activities, and other moderately strenuous actions.

Program participants please note the following:

  • Closed-toed shoes should be worn for all farm tours
  • Sun protection should be worn in outdoor settings.
  • All on-site educational program participants must complete a liability waiver.

🙏🏽 Mahalo!

This program is funded by individual donations, partner sponsorships, and in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, as authorized under 7 U.S.C. 6934(d)(2)(B) and 7 U.S.C. 2279(c). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.