GWTG: Seed to Plate
Groundwork to Grow is a series of 4-week courses on various agriculture topics, offering exposure to community resources, local experts, and experienced farmers. Each course runs through Tuesday Zoom sessions and Saturday in-person field days.
Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about new courses added!
Seed to Plate 2026 Schedule
Tuesday (Zoom), August 4 — Welcome & Garden Prep
Facilitator: Tara Waller & Katie Neil of Hoʻōla Farms
Location: Online (Zoom)
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 PM
First session of Seed to Plate! We’ll do introductions, walk through the course schedule, and cover how to prep your garden space before planting.
Saturday, August 8 — Mayan World Farm
Facilitator: Tony Vera, Mayan World Farm
Location: Mayan World Farm
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Visit Mayan World Farm to learn from Tony Vera about different growing practices and see what can thrive here in Hawaiʻi. Tony is a disabled combat veteran with 20+ years of agricultural experience and a background in tropical plant agronomy.
Tuesday (Zoom), August 11 — Common Pests in Hawaiʻi
Facilitator: Jade Miyashiro, Big Island Invasive Species
Location: Online (Zoom)
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Learn from Jade Miyashiro of Big Island Invasive Species about common garden pests in Hawaiʻi, including slugs, rat lungworm, the Queensland longhorn beetle, and more.
Saturday, August 15 — Seed Starts & Transplanting
Facilitator: Tara Waller (Hoʻōla) and Peter Boches (Mountain Sol Farm)
Location: Hoʻōla Ranch in Hilo
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM
We’ll meet at Hoʻōla Ranch to learn how to start seeds and transplant your starts into your garden bed. Peter Boches of Mountain Sol Farm holds a PhD in tomato breeding and has grown food in Hawaiʻi’s subtropical climate since 2018.
Tuesday (Zoom), August 18 — Plant Management
Facilitator: Peter Boches, Mountain Sol Farm
Location: Online (Zoom)
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Peter Boches returns to share practical tips on managing your garden through the growing season.
Saturday, August 22 — McCall Farms
Facilitator: Jeff & Claudia, McCall Farms
Location: McCall Farms in Volcano
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Field day to McCall Farms in Volcano to see a small-scale, working farm in action!
Tuesday (Zoom), August 25 — Perennials & Annuals for Your Backyard
Facilitator: Laura Rieber, CTAHR Jr. Extension Agent (Pacific Crops, Komohana Research & Extension Center)
Location: Online (Zoom)
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Laura Rieber of the University of Hawaiʻi’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience shares what perennial and annual crops work well in a backyard garden. Laura also runs the Hawaiʻi Master Gardener program!
Saturday, August 29 — Harvesting & Cooking Class
Facilitator: Andrea & Matt, Ancient Valley Growers
Location: Hoʻōla Ranch
Time: 9:00 AM – 12 PM
Celebrate the end of the course with our friends from Ancient Valley Growers, who’ll teach a cooking class using Hawaiʻi-grown food!