Fresh produce
One of the vulnerabilities of living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is that any big disruption of commerce, here or on the mainland, due to natural disaster or otherwise, could result in shortages here. Toilet paper and Spam would likely be the first things to be snapped up, but basic foodstuffs would soon follow. Having a variety of productive farms on the island would be a big help in such a situation.
Sage Farms, an organic farm that’s been in business here for 20 years, is one such enterprise. Their fruits and produce are available in local stores and farmers’ markets. The farm is one of a network of small growers in the area whose goal is to make the Big Island less dependent on imports from the mainland.
It might seem like farming would be easy in Hawaii. Most things grow readily, but that also includes weeds. In addition, pests also thrive and can be voracious. Currently, rat lungworm is a big concern. Recently, students at Kohala Middle School showed that a slug which carries rat lungworm parasites is now established in this area. This slug is just the latest challenge to the farmers of the area and the island in general.
Posted in response to this week’s Sunday Stills challenge on the theme of ‘Fresh.’ See more offerings here.
What a struggle. It seems even paradise has its problems! It’s good that they are trying though, hopefully they can win through.
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I think everywhere there are people has similar people-related problems. They just very a bit from place to place.
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Oh no! It’s sad to have a good climate and land but can’t produce because of all these pests. 😦
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The land can produce. It’s more about harvesting and getting it to consumers before the pests have their way.
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I never thought of freshness being a potential issue, but you bring up good points. Self reliance is a good thing. Fresh produce is an important food for all of us and I’m glad to see more of these farms! Thanks for your post for Sunday stills, Graham!
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It’s not just freshness, but having any produce at all. Any hiccup in deliveries from the mainland would have a big effect here. The stores would be cleaned out in 24 hours.
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