The Independent Voice
“Best Agricultural Newsletter in Hawaii”
Newsletter of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association
December 2023
PO Box 5436 Kailua Kona Hawaii 96745 USA
www.konacoffeefarmers.org info@konacoffeefarmers.org
Contents
Message from President Petersen
Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Grant Program
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
KCFA at the Coffee & Art Stroll
How is De-Caf Coffee Made – Is it Caffeine Free?
Future Research Webinars from CTAHR
Coffee Management Practices for the New Year
Why do we Prune Coffee Trees?
El Niño Continues
Dept of Ag Market Development Branch
Farmers.gov Local Dashboard Now Available in Hawaii
Why are Coffee Producers Selling their Coffee on Amazon?
Coffee Competition Adds “Experimental” Category
What Roasters Need to Know about Lactic Fermentation
Study: Drinking Coffee Reduces COVID Infection Risk
NAPA in Captain Cook
Christmas Recipes From Past Newsletters
Editor – Clare Wilson Message from President Peterson
Aloha Coffee Farmers,
It is hard to comprehend that another year has gone by. I’ve started to think about pruning, and the other practices I want to tweak to make things better/easier. I really appreciated the research and sharing we have received from the USDA-ARS lab (PBARC) in Hilo. On our farm we have used the results of their research to make decisions this last year. Because of their work I am not as leery of CLR as I was and think of it more as a nuisance and expense.
Coffee prices were and are better. I’ve heard gift coffee sales are brisk. Hope you got a chance to participate in the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. There were several interesting events for farmers. Thank you to those who stopped by our booth. We had a busy day visiting with members, visitors and selling KCFA merchandise. I would like to thank the Events and Social Committee and other volunteers for setting up and manning the booth.
The study about the 51% labeling legislation is supposed to be completed by the end of December. Right now, Guild Consulting is organizing the input they have received. They have a call for more input so please provide your ideas as to how Hawaii should respond to the role of blends in Hawaiian coffee marketing. You can complete the Discussion Survey at: tinyurl.com/Coffee-Discuss by December 8th. It’s only 6 questions. It is a narrative where you can write and explain your thoughts. I have my responses submitted. In addition, you can also provide background data on input costs, etc. The cost survey can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/Grower-Survey (please note: the EXCEL form will automatically begin downloading to your computer). Respondents are asked to email the completed form to the project team by December 1 (hurry up and submit). Another method of input you can share with anyone including customers is a survey to gauge impacts of various labeling scenarios. Please provide your friends this link at www.surveymonkey.com/r/kona-predict through December 15th.
GUILD Consulting would like more sales data. If you have a retail operation, and are willing to share volume and pricing data, please contact the project team at konalabel@guild.im (subject: Coffee data). Proprietary data will be analyzed but will not be shared publicly and will be kept confidential.
Lastly, I would like to ask all coffee farmers to think about what role they would like to play in the Association. We will be having our Annual Meeting later in the winter and will be looking for new Board members to elect at that time. Please get a neighbor or yourself on the ballot. The board is made up of coffee farmers and you can join them to make Kona Coffee better.
Have a Wonderful Holiday Season and I hope you can take a break after you finish picking.
Mahalo nui loa,
Mark Petersen, KCFA President
Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Grant Program
In September 2023, USDA announced that agricultural employers can begin to apply for a new grant program focused on addressing labor shortages in agriculture, reducing irregular migration through expansion of legal pathways, and improving labor protections for farm workers. Click Here to Apply or Learn More
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities. Applications will be available in late 2023 or early 2024. Learn more here
KCFA at the Coffee & Art Stroll
Franck Carisey at the KCFA booth
On November 4, KCFA welcomed hundreds of visitors and residents to its booth at the Holualoa Coffee and Art Stroll. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped it to be fun and productive. It was a pretty day and people were happy to be out and about after the COVID years. We sold out of almost every item we had and will be replenishing with new items – keep watching for more news about that. Some merchandise is still available so go online and gift a loved one with a KCFA collectible.
How is Decaf Coffee Made and it it Really Caffeine-Free?
https://www.salon.com/2023/10/31/how-is-decaf-coffee-made-and-is-it-really-caffeine-free_partner/
“Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world and its high levels of caffeine are among the main reasons why. It’s a natural stimulant that provides an energy buzz and we just can’t get enough.
However, some people prefer to limit their caffeine intake for health or other reasons. Decaffeinated or “decaf” coffee is widely available and its consumption is reported to be on the rise.
Here’s what you need to know about decaf coffee: how it’s made, the flavor, the benefits — and whether it’s actually caffeine-free.
How is decaf made?
Removing caffeine while keeping a coffee bean’s aroma and flavor intact isn’t a simple…”
Questions from CTAHR about Future Research Webinars
When are you able to join us for the 2024 CLR, CBB and Coffee-related Research Update Webinars?
We are gauging interest and availability for participation in CLR, CBB and Coffee-related Research Update Webinars that will be held from winter to spring of 2024. Please let us know when you would most likely be available to join us.
Click here to complete the survey.
We look forward to seeing you during the webinar updates!
Contact Matt at mnmiyahi@hawaii.edu or 808-322-0164 if you have questions.
Coffee Management Practices for the New Year
After the coffee cherries have been picked, there are several management practices to think about to ensure the health of the plants and the quality of future harvests:
- Pruning: Pruning is essential to maintain the productivity of the coffee plant. It helps to control the size of the plant, making it easier to harvest, and promotes the growth of new branches that will produce coffee in the next season.
- Field hygiene to reduce coffee borer beetle spread.
- Fertilization: When the trees begin to come out of dormancy in February is a good time to begin soil fertilization. Coffee plants need a lot of nutrients to produce high-quality beans. Farmers should take leaf and soil samples to determine what nutrients are lacking, but a general Coffee Cherry Plus (or comparable organic) will get you NPK and micronutrients. Be sure to throw when the soil is damp and rain is expected, or use an extended-release granular product. Micros are also easily added to foliar sprays.
- Pest and Disease Management: Farmers should monitor their plants for signs of pests or disease. Early detection and treatment can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. Prepare for managing coffee borer beetle, twig borer beetle and coffee leaf rust.
- Shade Management: Coffee plants can benefit from an amount of shade depending on elevation to protect them from extreme weather conditions. Farmers can manage shading of their trees to ensure the coffee plants are getting the right amount of light.
- Soil Conservation: Practices such as cover cropping, mulching and terracing can help prevent soil erosion, maintain soil health, and improve water retention.
- Planning for the Next Harvest: Farmers should start planning for the next harvest. This includes deciding when to start the next round of planting and preparing the necessary resources1.
These practices can help ensure a successful harvest in the next season.
Why do we Prune Coffee Trees?
Coffee trees are pruned for several reasons:
1. Maintain a balanced and healthy plant: Pruning helps to remove dead or diseased branches and leaves, as well as reduce the overall size of the plant so that it can better absorb nutrients and sunlight.
2. Promote growth: Pruning promotes the growth of strong, healthy branches and can even help the coffee plant produce more fruit.
3. Improve air circulation: The aim is to create an open center in the canopy to improve air circulation, allowing for more sunlight to reach the lower branches.
4. Prevent bushiness: If a coffee tree is allowed to become bushy, light and air won’t reach all the parts of the tree. This can reduce yield because trees that have a lot of leaves and branches will use energy to grow these parts, and may not produce as many flowers and cherries.
5. Prevent pests and diseases: Pests and diseases can also thrive in the dark, damp inside branches of dense trees.
Pruning can be done either manually or with specialized pruning tools. Regular pruning will help the tree remain healthy and productive, ensuring a quality crop each year. In general, pruning can be done annually to maintain the desired shape of your trees, promote fruit production, allow air circulation and sunlight penetration, and prevent malnutrition.
Coffee Tree Pruning – Frinj Coffee (zendesk.com)
El Niño Continues in the Tropical Pacific
https://www.comunicaffe.com/el-nino-continues-in-the-tropical-pacific/
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Recipes Wanted! If any of you have recipes that you would like to share, please submit them to the editor: clarewilson98@gmail.com
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