Blessings in this new year of 2018 upon your Ohana and extended Ohana. Truly it is good to be alive, and living in Maui. There has never been a better time to be a member of a locavore organization with good people doing good things all the time. With the False Alarm that wreaked havoc with our mind, body and soul on Saturday January 13, it is my firm belief that there is no time to waste in surrounding yourself with people you trust, and growing healthy food for each other.
It is my honor to let you know that two of your Haleakalā Chapter Directors will be presenting at the next meeting, Tuesday, January 23 at Hā
ʻiku Community Center.
Susan Campbell will be presenting on her new book, “Eating as a Spiritual Practice: Discover your Purpose while Nourishing your Body, Mind and Soul”. After what we all just went through, I recommend you take a little time off and read this amazing work Susan has put together for our benefit. Here’s a quote from Susan’s book, “Our ancestors felt a sacredness in their relationship to the land and its produce. Then came the twentieth century, with packaged, processed foods, a fast-paced lifestyle, and the resulting health issues so many of us face today. Isn’t it time to reverse this situation?” Susan will have copies for sale at the meeting, and it is on sale at Amazon.com.
The next presenter will be our amazing
Harriet Witt, presenting “How to think like a Plant.” I’m guessing you’ll all be intrigued and want to know how to do that. If you’ve never checked out her website, passengerplanet.com, now is the time. Harriet is a treasure for our keeping, and we love her. Harriet, mahalo for your perspectives on what really matters in this life, introspection, and keeping it real.
In addition, it is my duty to announce the annual elections of the Haleakalā Chapter and our Delegates for 2018. The elections will be held at the Hā
ʻiku Community Center at the corner of Pilialoha St. and Hana Highway at 5:30 at our February 27 monthly meeting. If you are interested in being on the Haleakalā Chapter Board, or in being a 2018 Chapter Delegate, you should let your board representative know, or email me at
haleakala-president@hfuuhi.org.
Another bit of information you should have is that there is significant support to move the Haleakalā Chapter monthly meeting to Pukalani, so that some of our upcountry brothers and sisters make it to meetings more often. We will be doing a survey at the January and February meeting to see of there is support for this big change.
Finally, a bit of personal information about myself. Earlier this month, USDA Secretary Sonny Purdue appointed me to the Farm Service Agency State Committee.
The state committee is responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving appeals from the agriculture community, and helping to keep producers informed about FSA programs.
Each state committee has five members, one chairperson and four members. The individuals appointed to serve on this committee include:
- Committee Chair Teena Marie Rasmussen - Kula
- Wilson Kenzo Koike - Waianae
- Glenn Martinez - Waimanalo
- Boyd J. Ready - Haleiwa
- Simon Russell - Makawao
The Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs. The agency offers farmers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. FSA continues to conserve natural resources and provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including special emphasis on beginning, underserved and women farmers and ranchers.
You will be surprised probably that Three of the five FSA State Committee members are members of the HFUU, and the Kula farmer and Maui County Office of Economic Development Director Teena Rasmussen is Chairing that committee. That is a good thing for Maui, and good for HFUU.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Look for the suggestion box by the door when you enter the meeting and let us know what you'd like to see happening at our meetings. Please think about topics you'd like to explore in breakout sessions at future meetings, write them down and let us know.
