MOLOA‘A — Retro Farms, a North Shore non-profit organization, recently received funding from the Hawai‘i Hotel Industry Foundation to complete an outdoor classroom for their environmental education facility, The Mighty Seed Learning Center. “We are so honored to have been
MOLOA‘A — Retro Farms, a North Shore non-profit organization, recently received funding from the Hawai‘i Hotel Industry Foundation to complete an outdoor classroom for their environmental education facility, The Mighty Seed Learning Center.
“We are so honored to have been selected to receive funding raised through the collective community efforts of the Hotel Industry Charity Walk,” said Farm Director Mary Ellen Pearlman.
“It is no secret that the most challenging part of operating a non-profit is raising funds to run the programs.”
The Mighty Seed Learning Facility is a developing facility that began construction of its first open-air classroom last fall, which consists of a deck known as the Coastal Observation Platform.
The Charity Walk funding will pay for the classroom’s hand rails and outdoor seating.
Due to its close proximity to the ocean and sweeping views of Moloa‘a Bay, the classroom is ideal for environmental education lessons on a wide range of topics, including seabirds and migrating whales, according to Pearlman.
Mighty Seed has partnered with the educators from the Kilauea Lighthouse Foundation and Save Our Shearwaters Organization to provide lectures to various youth groups and local school children.
To date, the learning center has hosted over 400 North Shore students for field trips that include lessons about pollination, native plants, forest and habitat protection, as well as farming for sustainability.
The educators at Retro Farms believe that the future of Kaua‘i is best served by educating the youth of the island through classroom lessons followed by hands-on activities during field trip visits to the farm and learning center. Plans are in place for educational classes on grafting mango and avocado trees, as well as a series of classes that demonstrate the creation of a productive, sustainable farm.
Future plans also include the construction of additional classrooms.
“The classrooms will double as tent platforms as we can start offering overnight camping opportunities for various youth groups,” Pearlman said.
“When a day of farming and forest exploration is followed by star-gazing and sleeping outdoors, the students enjoy a complete outdoor experience that may change the way they regard the ‘aina.”
Upcoming field trip opportunities are scheduled for May.
School or youth groups interested in participating in the programs offered by the learning center should contact Mary Ellen Pearlman at retrofarms@gmail.com.
