From Nancy Redfeather:
I hope you’ve all had a chance to visit The Kohala Center’s Web site for the “Hua Ka Hua – Restore Our Seed” Symposium in Kona on April 16-18, 2010, at www.kohalacenter.org/seedsymposium/about.html.

The deadline to take advantage of the early registration discounted price is March 15. Before March 15, the registration fee is $100 for both days. After March 15, the cost goes up to $150. Spaces are limited, so register early to secure your spot at the Symposium. The Keauhou Beach Resort is offering a special rate for conference accommodations of $122.53 per night (including tax) for a single/double room with a partial ocean view and a daily buffet breakfast.

The Symposium will also feature a Seed Swap hosted by Regeneration Botanicals on Saturday, April 17, following the last session of the day. Information tables will be available in the foyer for a nominal fee, for conference participants who wish to share programs and information with the public.

This Symposium is an excellent opportunity to come together, expand our basic knowledge, connect with experts and resources, create island-wide working groups, and get our farmers and gardeners growing, selecting, processing, using, trading, and selling high quality seed. Seed is the foundation of a thriving local agricultural economy and food abundance. Please join us for this landmark event and let’s take charge of our agricultural future.

If you have any questions please call Nancy Redfeather at 808-322-2801 or e-mail nredfeather at kohalacenter.org. If you have already registered and are interested in an information table, please let me know. Mahalo! Please forward to all Farmers and Gardeners you know who are ready to take this step!

If you don’t know- Nancy Redfeather has been hard at work and has helped network together and launch about 50 school garden programs here on the Big Island. This is crucial work for educating our youth about healthy food and for growing future farmers- a critical piece in our local food self-reliance pie.

From Nancy: On Friday October 16, the Hawai’i Island School Garden Network will host a gala luncheon aboard the Golden Princess when she is docked in Hilo. The purpose of this luncheon is to share the successes and the challenges of building this new curriculum for all the schools on Hawai’i Island. At least 20 of our School Garden Teachers will be in attendance, along with Mayor Kenoi, Senators Kokubun and Takemine, and many other supporters. We cordially invite each of you to join us and support the future for our keiki and communities.

All tickets for this wonderful event must be purchased by September 30. Please contact Molly Hui at The Kohala Center for easy ticket purchase. mhui@kohalacenter.org

Please forward this email to anyone who supports building this living laboratory for our keiki and youth. The School Gardens and Agriculture Programs at our High Schools provide nutritional education, physical exercise, connect our youth with their food and cultural values, introduce them to concepts of a healthy ecosystem and stewardship, and help them to connect their classroom studies with “hands-on” work. Ma ka hana ka ike… By doing the work we will learn. These ideas when practiced will help us build a sustainable island community.