The Independent Voice
“Best Agricultural Newsletter in Hawaii”
Newsletter of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association
April 2020
PO Box 5436 Kailua Kona Hawaii 96745 USA www.konacoffeefarmers.org info@konacoffeefarmers.org
Contents
Working Together Locally for the Betterment of All
Coffee for Health Care Workers
Help for Farmers, Agriculture Businesses, and Their Employees
Foood4All – Shopping Cart for Farmers Direct to Consumers
Sources of Produce During the Shutdown
Legislative Update
Cancellation of CBB Demonstration
Useful Tools for Coffee Producers
Recipe: Java Roast Beef
Editor – Clare Wilson
Working Together Locally for the Betterment of All
From President Colehour Bondera
Aloha to coffee farm members, and all readers.
This is a message to suggest/request that we all support one another through a process which is new to us all (a global pandemic). We must carry forth in the future with the capacity to better work together and listen to each other, and to meet the needs which come up as they arise.
Since we all need to eat food, and though some believe that the shipping and distribution options will return back to where they were in 2019, once we have moved forward from the “peak” of COVID-19, life will likely not be the same as it was before for some time (be it months, years or decades).
That said, let us work together to access food as locally as viable, and as needed, alter our diets so that we do not rely upon/require food that is imported from far away and requires systems of local transport and electricity which may not be reliable or consistent. Of course that means that shipping products such as coffee may not be as smooth as has recently been the norm, and we will need to think about that too… We must factor in the unexpected to our decisions and actions.
In terms of folks who rely upon labor from outside of Hawaii for their farms to succeed, that will also be an important topic that we need to work on together to address.
Recently the HDOA sent out announcements of potential funding for emergency relief for farms and farmer support organizations. Upon my request, the Communications Committee notified (twice actually) our email lists of this potential funding to help farms through hard times. My serious hopes that some of you were able, and submitted the required forms.
After consideration, documents were submitted for KCFA to facilitate a green coffee purchase option for farmers, which would start very small (due to funding) but be established so that it could readily build upon itself, via sales of roasted product over time, which would then be reinvested in additional purchases.
Together we could make that work, and my fingers are crossed for all of us to work together to save those farms who have lost business recently due to restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions closing down at least for now. Many of our farms rely on such direct sales, and even the coffee processors are not able to as easily provide such deliveries, therefore affecting their demand for product from farmers as well.
Finally, working with the Kona County Farm Bureau, and as a long-time vendor at the Keauhou Farmers Market, it is notable that though, at least for now, the actual market is not in operation (may change soon though, since Governor Ige did proclaim that farmers’ markets are considered “essential”), that many of the vendors are getting produce to customers via an on-line order option — https://keauhoufarmersmarket.com/online-market . Consider supporting each other via this and/or other similar means that exist throughout Kona.
Again, let us all look out and help one another, and work together to keep our farms successful.
Coffee for Health Care Workers
Our Kona Hospital nurses are on the front lines of risk. We are arranging weekly deliveries of the best coffee in the world to keep their morale high during this extra stressful time. Do you have coffee to donate to them? They need ground coffee of any roast (medium or dark). If you have green coffee, we will roast it for you. Email suzanne@coffeeofkona.com or call 989-4883 to coordinate a drop off.
–Submitted by Suzanne Shriner
Help for Farmers, Agriculture Businesses, and Their Employees
Senator Schatz provided the following information for Hawaii Farmers.
Assistance to Agricultural Producers from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides $9.5 billion to the USDA to support agricultural producers impacted by the coronavirus, including:
· producers of specialty crops,
· producers that supply local food systems, including farmers markets, restaurants, and schools, and
· livestock producers, including dairy producers.
This is a new program, so the USDA has not yet established details such as how to apply or how much funding producers can get from the program. When available, more information will be posted at https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus.
Assistance to Agricultural Producers from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
· Farmers, and ranchers that qualify as small businesses under SBA regulations are eligible to apply for the SBA paycheck protection loan program. Factsheets about the SBA’s paycheck protection loans and other SBA programs are available on Senator Schatz’s https://www.schatz.senate.gov/
· In addition, 2020 CARES allows the Farm Credit Agency to authorize lenders familiar to farmers and ranchers to make PPP Loans.
Caution
Companies may not receive payments from both of these USDA and SBA programs for the same COVID-19 impact. Companies should determine which program is better for their needs.
Unemployment Insurance
In addition, farm and ranch employees may be eligible for the expanded Unemployment Insurance coverage created under the CARES Act. More information on expanded Unemployment Insurance is available on Senator Schatz’s https://www.schatz.senate.gov/
Income Tax: Active Farm Losses
· The CARES Act also turns off active farming loss rules for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before December 31, 2020.
· An active business loss is defined as deductions in excess of income and gain attributable to a trade or business in which the taxpayer actively participates plus $250,000 ($500,000 for joint filers) (i.e., active business losses in excess of $250,000 ($500,000 for joint filers) were disallowed by the 2017 Tax Law and treated as NOL carryforwards in the following tax year).
· For more information, please check the IRS’s website at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus.
Training and Support for Migrant Farmworkers
The bill includes $360 million for the Department of Labor to invest in programs that provide training and supportive services for dislocated workers, seniors, migrant farmworkers, and homeless veterans.
–Submitted by Suzanne Shriner
Food4All – Shopping Cart for Farmers Direct to Consumers
I had an enjoyable on-line meeting recently with Kami Semick from Food4All.com and she demonstrated their free resource for Farmers, Ranchers and Food Artisans. It’s a tool for quick and easy setup of a personalized on-line shopping cart tailored to sell farm products. The application allows customers to easily create orders for the farmer’s products and make payments by check or credit card. It’s primarily designed for farmer direct to customer.
There is no fee for signing up. Food4All collects a CSA fee of 95 cents per transaction plus 2.5% of the value of the transaction that is capped at a total of $9.95 per order. There is also a process for those who have items that they would like to give away to help our ohana during this difficult period with no charge to the farmer or customer.
A farmer specific page is setup by creating an account, uploading a logo and adding product descriptions, pictures, sale prices and delivery information. The user must enter the particulars for a Stripe account in order to accept credit card purchases.
There are many individual attributes that can be applied to each item, group of items or value added product including price, minimum/maximum quantity, pickup/delivery options, type of item, start end dates and much more.
I was given a complete run through during our Zoom meeting. As someone who had a 40 year + career as a computer system designer, programmer and consultant, my impression is that the Food4All shopping cart tool is well thought out, easy to use and robust.
For more information please visit their website: https://www.food4all.com/.
–Submitted by Chet Gardiner
Sources of Fresh Produce During Shutdown
Although our farmers markets are shut down, we can order fruits, vegetables, and other goods from the farmers in our area.
Two websites will be helpful:
https://keauhoufarmersmarket.com/online-market
and
https://bigislandfarmdirect.com.
You can enter an order, pay online, and pick up your order a few days later from a place where farmers earlier delivered your orders.
Let’s support our neighbors in these difficult times and continue to enjoy fresh, healthy food.
–Submitted by Sandra Scarr
Legislative Update
On Monday, March 16, the Hawaii Legislature announced an indefinite recess because of the coronavirus crisis. All legislative activity has been suspended and there is no certainty when or if this Legislative Session will be reopened—and what will happen if it is reopened. Here is an update on the status of coffee-related bills pending before the Legislature at the time of the recess:
51% MINIMUM FOR BLENDS: Although it had appeared that the 51% minimum legislation had been killed, on March 11, the House Agriculture Committee acted to replace the provisions of SB2955 (a ready-to-drink coffee labeling bill that had passed through the Senate) with the 51% minimum requirements. The amended SB2955 was favorably passed out of the Agriculture Committee and scheduled for a hearing before the House Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee on March 16. Because of the indefinite recess, that hearing was not held.
CBB SUBSIDY PROGRAM EXTENSION: Companion Senate and House bills to extend and provide funding for the State’s CBB subsidy program (SB2623 and HB1861) were both progressing through the legislative process—but are now on hold because of the recess.
RESOLUTION FOR A “STUDY”: On March 3, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 81 was introduced by Sen. Dru Kanuha and scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Agriculture & Environment Committee on March 16. The resolution seeks a “study” by a UH organization that last year was described in testimony from high ranking UH officials as not having the capacity or expertise to do the suggested study. SCR81 is consistent with the long-standing practice of the blenders to ask the Legislature for a “study” as a tactic to delay consideration of reform of the Hawaii 10% coffee blend law. Although the March 16 hearing was cancelled because of the recess, the written testimony was posted on the Legislative website. For the second consecutive year, high ranking UH officials testified that the named organization (UH Economic Research Organization) does not have the capability to do the requested study. To review that testimony, go to https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/Session2020/Testimony/SCR81_TESTIMONY_AEN-HRE_03-16-20_.PDF
MAHALO to all the many KCFA members and supporters who this year have submitted hundreds of written testimonies in support of KCFA’s legislative goals. Depending on the whether the Legislative Session reconvenes, we may at some point be asking each of you for more testimony–and helping to give a voice to coffee farmers in the Legislature.
–Submitted by the Legislative Committee
Cancellation of CBB Demonstration
The hands-on demonstration for coffee bean assessment of CBB with Luis Aristizabal, scheduled for April 13 has been cancelled.
Submitted by John Koontz
Useful Tools for Coffee Producers
Most of us have moisture meters for determining the moisture of our parchment and green coffee. Here is an article describing other tools to refine our ability to improve our coffee processing.
https://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2020/01/five-useful-tools-that-can-make-a-difference-to-coffee-producers/
–Submitted by Clare Wilson
Recipe – Java Roast Beef
Still feels like winter here with all this rain. Great time to fix a hearty roast beef with the rich flavor of Kona coffee.
Roast Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 beef eye round roast (about 2-1/2 pounds)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
- 1 cup brewed coffee
- 3/4 cup water
- GRAVY:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cold water
Directions
- 1. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat; brown roast on all sides. Remove from pan. Mix garlic and seasonings; sprinkle over roast.
- 2. Add onion to same pan; cook and stir over medium heat until tender; stir in bouillon, coffee and 3/4 cup water. Add roast; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until meat is tender, about 2-1/2 hours.
- 3. Remove roast from pan, reserving cooking juices. Tent with foil; let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
- 4. Mix flour and cold water until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Serve with roast.
NOTE: This would be great cooked in a hot pot too.
Recipes Wanted! If any of you have coffee recipes that you would like to share, please submit them to the editor: clare@huahuafarm.com
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! >> Write to us. We welcome Letters to the Editor up to 150 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name and email address >> Email: info@KonaCoffeeFarmers.org with SUBJECT:
