To gain a better understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and mother earth.
Goals
To enhance understanding of the natural world through permaculture exploration.
To develop the mindset to live a more regenerative and sustainable lifestyle.
To inspire personal growth through building a deep connection with nature.
See Us In Action
Next Session: 22nd to 31st of July, 2023
Here at Big Island Farms, we’re offering an exciting and immersive workshop intensive program focused on the fields of permaculture and tropical agriculture. This program is a unique opportunity to develop our awareness of human impacts as a part of the global ecosystem and learn how to become stewards of the land and benefactors to earth through direct practice. We will use the basics of regenerative design to deepen our understanding of the processes needed to restore bio-diverse and resilient ecosystems that harmoniously integrate humanity’s needs with the natural world. Our ten-day workshop intensive program will give students hands-on experience in the fields of permaculture and tropical agriculture. Classes will be facilitated by local experts, as well as our on-site staff. We aim to provide a well-rounded curriculum that will provide the foundational knowledge to enter into the wonderful world of organic and sustainable agriculture.
The following is a list of topics we will cover throughout the program. However, this list is subject to change depending on current farm projects and our community partners’ availability. As you may notice, the themes that we will discuss are relatively broad. This course is designed to introduce fundamental concepts with the hopes that you discover new areas of interest to explore as you continue with your studies.
Organic Agriculture and Tropical Horticulture
- Principles of permaculture design
- Organic agriculture
- Tropical agroforestry
- Ecological economics
- Edible ecosystems
- Apiculture
- Plant identification & medicinal uses
Biology
- Plant physiology
- Soil composition
- Composting
- Tropical ecology
- Ethnobotany
- Soil & Water conservation
Farm to Table
- Plant propagation
- Vegetarian creativity
- Fermentation
- Food sustainability
Workshops
Marine Biology
Farm To Table
Native Forest Exploration
Hawaiian Culture and Values
Intro to Permaculture
Mushroom Workshop
Beekeeping Workshop
Lā'au Lapa'au (Medicinal Plant) Workshop
And many more!
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 –
Airport pick up, arrival at your home in Paradise – Farm orientation – dinner.
Day 2-
8 am – Healthy breakfast
9 am – Group introduction
9:30 am – Introduction to Hawaiian culture, chant, legends, and lei workshop by Traven Apiki
12pm – Awesome lunch
1 pm – Introduction to marine biology and how to do your own coral reef sunscreen lotion
2 pm – departure to Pu’ukohola Heiau sacred site, prayers then– sunset at a white sand beach.
6:30 pm – Farm to Table dinner
7:30 pm – Movie night on our screen projector
Day 3-
8 am – Healthy breakfast
9 am – Medicinal plant workshop with uncle Ikaika and Annick Dauphinais (including La’au Lapa’au / Hawaiian healing plants)
12pm – Awesome lunch
1 pm – Continue medicinal plant workshop
3 pm – Beekeeping workshop with expert beekeeper Jerry Shumate
6:00 pm – Farm to Table dinner
7:30 pm – Fire circle with chants
Day 4-
8 am – Healthy breakfast
9 am – Departure to Waipio Valley (Valley of the Kings), cultural emersion, and expedition. Discover a unique sacred place on planet Earth, black sand beach, waterfalls, jungle path surrounded by lush tropical horticulture (full day adventure)
(lunch to go)
6 pm – Farm to Table Dinner
Well deserved rest.
Day 5-
8 am – Healthy breakfast
9 am – Intro to permaculture design workshop – this workshop is focused on building your knowledge of permaculture and regenerative agriculture design. We will explore the principles used to restore resilient and diverse ecosystems.
12pm – Awesome lunch
1 pm – Composting workshop
2:30 pm – Farm to Table workshop (from harvesting, propagation, and processing into an amazing meal)
Day 6 –
8 am – Healthy breakfast
9 am – Wool Shearing with animal expert Samantha Robinson from Hawaii Green Earth Farm.
12pm – Awesome Lunch
1 pm – Mushroom growing workshop with Adam Aharon
6 pm – Pizza night Dinner
7:30 pm – Movie on the large screen
Day 7 –
8 am – Healthy breakfast
9 am – Volunteering with a local Hawaiian Organization focused on sustainable agriculture: Ulu Mau Puani (community service)
12:30 pm – Awesome lunch
1:30 pm – Learn how to make natural plant dyes (plant foraging) and process wool for felting
Day 8 –
8 am – Healthy breakfast
9 am – Coconut workshop and tropical fruit experience with Christopher Carter
11 am – Visit of our local farmer market
12pm – Awesome Lunch
1 pm – Afternoon learning mulching and propagation techniques while working in our tropical food forest.
6 pm – Dinner
Day 9 –
8 am – Healthy breakfast
9 am – Review our entire program with questions and answers related to sustainable agriculture, farm to table, and Hawaiian culture.
10 am – Goodbye ceremony with Lei’s offering and sharing
12pm – Awesome Lunch
1 pm – Afternoon excursion gift, we will visit waterfalls & lava tube caves.
6:30 pm – Last O’hana Dinner
Day 10 –
8 am – Healthy breakfast
9 am – Farm clean up
Airport drop off
What students have said about us
Program Dates
22nd till 31st of July, 2023
1st till 10th of December, 2023