Farm Tours & Classes
Farm Tours:
- Introduction to Organic Farming Tour
Upon arrival to our farm, we will help you set up your scheduled farm tour. We invite all of our students to schedule this tour for the first morning after your arrival so you can get oriented to everything going on at the farm during the time you are with us. Taking this tour will allow you to find out what you’re attracted to learn more about. You can choose a different type of tour every day of your stay, or you can focus on a specific area you’d like to learn more about. You’ll also learn about any special farming or sustainability events coming up in upcountry Maui, as well as our wider Maui community, during your visit that you might want to participate in. We hope you will take full advantage of this opportunity to experience the benefits of connecting with the ‘aina (sacred land). A sense of peace and belonging arises in us when we become more intimate with the activities contributing to our food source. Also, becoming more familiar with how your food grows will serve you for the rest of your life! Give yourself the gift of experiencing the plants and the elements that nurture our bodies and souls.
As part of this tour, one of our teacher farmers will take you on a tour of our entire organic farming operation. You will become familiar with the importance of soil analysis, the science of composting, the role of good soil in helping plants fight disease, the value of companion planting, and the growth cycles of some of the vegetables. We will also show you how you can buy some delicious freshly picked vegetables from us during your stay, and you’ll learn how to prepare them for eating either raw or cooked.
- Introduction to Permaculture Tour
The word “permaculture” was coined in 1978 by Bill Mollison, an Australian ecologist, and one of his students, David Holmgren. It is a contraction of “permanent agriculture” or “permanent culture”. In this tour, you will learn the basic concepts of permaculture and tour through our gardens that have been created using permaculture practices. You will also learn the specific organic farming practices we use that are in accordance with this method. Permaculture adopts techniques and principles from ecology, appropriate technology, sustainable agriculture, and the wisdom of indigenous peoples. The ethical basis of permaculture rests upon care of the earth—maintaining a system in which all life can thrive. We hope you will thrive with the knowledge you receive from this tour!
Here are some of the options of tours that you can take after the Introduction to Organic Farming or Introduction to Permaculture tour:
- Herbs Tour
- Composting Tour
- Fruit and Nut Tour
- Irrigation Tour
- Harvest Tour
- and more!!
Proposed classes:
**Please note as our permits are in process these classes will be offered in the future
All students will take the Introduction to Organic Farming or Introduction to Permaculture tour as a prerequisite for all classes. More detailed class descriptions will be available upon request. These classes will be suitable for all students unless otherwise noted. Please check with us in advance to see if the classes you want to take will be offered at the time you plan to visit us!
- Composting 101
- Bokashi
- Vermiculture
- Harvesting and Health
- Sprouting for Food and Seedlings
- Growing and Preparing Raw Foods
- Permaculture & Design
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Making Good Soil (Soil Science)
- Small Container Gardening
- Natural Pest Control
- Cover crops
- Pruning
