LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau is celebrating National Agriculture Week by joining with its many partners to give away free vegetable starters on Saturday during the Agriculture Week Celebration at Kukui Grove Center.
“The farm bureau bought some of the starters from Ka‘apuni Nursery, a regular vendor at the weekly Grove Farm Market,” said Laurie Ho, president of the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau. “Additionally, the Kukui Grove Center bought some starters, too. These will be given away free Saturday while supplies last.”
Starting at 11 a.m. and running until 2 p.m., the Agriculture Week Celebration is a time to celebrate springtime activities, while supporting the local farmers.
This support comes with the announcement of the Eat Local Challenge, as well as other resources available that help farmers and individual backyard growers. That includes lei makers, who are encouraged to plant their materials to reduce, and in some instances prevent, unnecessary damage to more public lands.
“We have the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee coming with their highly popular Wheel of MisFortune,” Ho said. “They’ll also have information on invasive species that pose threats to farms, as well as native plants and environment.”
The Master Gardener program, presented by the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, another of the regular vendors at the Saturday Grove Farm Market, will have its usual assortment of seed offerings, as well as answers to growers’ questions and concerns.
The Ugly Fruit and Veggie Contest returns, with shoppers voting on the ugliest prize winner. Rachel Secretario will have a bunch of agricultural trivia to offer, while shoppers browse through the many celebratory events, including mini floral displays, and the surprise plant offering by Kaua‘i Community College instructor Brian Yamamoto.
National Agriculture Week is celebrated this year starting on March 21, National Agriculture Day, through March 27, announced the Agriculture Council of America. The week celebrates and acknowledges the agricultural industry and the role it plays in stabilizing the economy.
The Agriculture Council of American said the observances give thanks to the industry as a whole for being a source of abundant food, fiber and renewable products. Agriculture also provides millions of people with stable jobs and careers. The observance also brings awareness to the efforts made by those involved in agriculture for providing people with necessities that many take for granted.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
