The Independent Voice
Newsletter of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association
October 2020
PO Box 5436 Kailua Kona Hawaii 96745 USA
www.konacoffeefarmers.org info@konacoffeefarmers.org
Contents
KCFA Questions to Hawaii County Mayoral Candidates
CFAP2 Cash Grants for Growers
KCFA Brand Coffee Program
CBB Pesticide Subsidy Program
Effects of Environmental Factors of Coffea Arabica
LISC Small Business Relief Grants
KCFA Seals
Fungus in our Coffee Trees
“Coffee Rust is Going to Ruin Your Morning”
Articles from Coffidential
Free Online Classes for Hawaii Residents
Ag Officials Confirm CBB on Kaua`i
USDA Proposes Strengthening Organic Regulations
Conventional Coffee may be More Beneficial than Organic
Does Coffee Help or Cause Inflammation?
How Have Hand Grinders Evolved?
Editor – Clare Wilson
KCFA Questions to Hawaii County Mayoral Candidates
QUESTION ONE:
On October 15, 2014, the Hawaii County Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 501-14 requesting the State Legislature to adopt legislation requiring the use of Hawaii geographic-origin names in the labeling or advertising of a Hawaii coffee blend only if the blend contains at least 51% from that origin. The Resolution noted that in 2007 the Legislature had made a finding that Hawaii’s 10% coffee blend labeling law causes “fraud” and “degrades” the name of Hawaii-grown coffee. Despite the Hawaii County Council’s formal request, over the last 5 Sessions the Legislature has failed to enact bills with this long-needed reform—bills that have been repeatedly introduced and supported by Hawaii County representatives in the Legislature. [See, for example, HB 1886 HD1 from the 2020 Session]
IF ELECTED, WILL YOU PUBLICLY SUPPORT AND FORMALLY REQUEST THAT THE LEGISLATURE ENACT THE COFFEE LABELING REFORMS SET FORTH IN RESOLUTION NO. 501-14?
IF YES, WHAT ADDITIONAL ACTIONS WILL YOU TAKE IN SEEKING ENACTMENT OF THESE REFORMS?
RESPONSES:
Ikaika Marzo: YES. I agree to requiring the use of Hawaii geographic-origin names in the labeling or advertising of a Hawaii coffee blend only if the blend contains at least 51% from that origin. I believe in preserving the natural value of our local coffee and boosting our local economy and coffee farmer workforce. I agree that the only 10% coffee blends allude to “fraud” and “degrades” the name of Hawaii-grown coffee. I will note that the 10% blends are useful for a lower price point for shoppers. Not all our local people can afford, or maybe would like a different flavor, so keeping the 10% on shelves seems acceptable, BUT the labeling must change as that is most fair and transparent.
Mitchell Roth: I believe that the integrity and value of the “Kona Coffee” brand must be protected. I also understand that there are unresolved issues within the Hawaii coffee industry on this matter as it relates to implementation timelines, impact on product sales and domestic and international marketing strategies.
I am committed to working with all stakeholders; including the Kona Coffee Farmers Association, individual growers, the Hawaii Coffee Association, the Department of Agriculture and DBEDT to identify and overcome challenges that have prohibited the introduction of successful legislation to meet the intent of 501-14. I believe this collaborative process will result in purposeful and reasonable legislation which I will advocate for.
QUESTION TWO:
Since 1998 a USDA regulation (7 CFR Sec. 319.73-2) has prohibited importation of green (unroasted) coffee beans into Hawaii and Puerto Rico, the only US commercial coffee growing areas. As noted in the regulation, importation of green coffee creates risks of spreading devastating coffee pests and diseases. As an example, “coffee berry borer” was introduced into Hawaii County in 2010 with severe economic impact on our coffee farmers. Yet the State of Hawaii has ignored, and continues to ignore, the federal regulation and has allowed tons of unroasted coffee beans to be imported annually, putting coffee farmers at risk of losing their trees and their livelihoods from “coffee rust” and other pests and diseases.
IF ELECTED, WILL YOU TAKE STEPS TO HAVE THE USDA EXPLAIN WHY IT IS NOT ENFORCING SECTION 319.73-2—PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF THE 2005 DENIAL BY USDA OF A FORMAL REQUEST FROM HAWAII TO AMEND THE REGULATION? [Note—the basis for the denial was that the Hawaii request posed too great a risk of introduction of coffee pests and diseases.]
RESPONSES:
Ikaika Marzo: Absolutely. It is completely unacceptable to overlook this important regulation as it is set in place to protect our local agriculture as well as our native and endemic species for generations to come. Hawaii is such a unique state, as an island, but Hawaii must stand up for itself and enforce the importance of this. Mahalo for bringing this to my attention.
Mitchell Roth: I am committed to work to determine issues preventing the enforcement all laws negatively effecting the Hawaii Coffee industry.
–Submitted by the Legislative Committee
CFAP2 and You! Cash Grant for Growers
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced last week that coffee, macadamias and a host of other specialty crops are now eligible for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2. Growers can receive a cash grant based on roughly 10% of last year’s (2019) gross value of crops grown on your farm. The grant is open now, and will close in December. USDA staff has assured the community that there is adequate funding nationwide, however it is always good to apply as early as you can.
Under this program, coffee is considered a specialty crop in the “tree nut” category. Full information is available at https://www.farmers.gov/cfap. There is also a call center for support with the CFAP 2 application process at 877-508-8364 where you can speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. When your application is ready, submit it by email or mail to the FSA county office in Hilo. Staff contacts there are:
Debbie Jitchaku: debbie.jitchaku@usda.gov or 933-8340
Gail Sandstrom: gail.sandstrom@usda.gov or 933-8369
Cristin Cantan: cristin.cantan@usda.gov or 933-8338
The application packet is fairly straightforward and takes about an hour, with only one hitch for coffee. FSA has said clearly that growers cannot use roasted value for coffee. However, there is a value difference between green coffee and cherry coffee, both of which occur within the “farm gate”. If you are unsure how to value your coffee, take the total pounds of cherry you grew in 2019 and multiply it by the cherry value of $2.25. Or, if you sold parchment or green, you could use that value. Using last year’s USDA National Ag Statistics data, it took 5.88 lbs of cherry to make 1 lb of green coffee. The value of Kona green was approximately $22 per pound. This is a higher valuation than cherry so if you sold the bulk of your crop as green (or roasted), it may be possible to use that figure as it is a USDA-collected “farm gate” statistic.
For this grant, you will not be required to submit cherry or green receipts with your application. However, the county FSA will be spot-checking grower records, so keep accurate records of your crop (including your IRS Schedule F) to document your gross farm value as submitted under the program.
–Submitted by Suzanne Shriner
KCFA Brand Coffee Program
KCFA is pleased to announce that our KCFA Brand Coffee program is off to a fine start. We have completed round one of the procurement program for Prime Grade 100% Kona Green Coffee and would like to thank our member farms who have signed on to provide it:
Mokulele Farms, Barbara Anderson, Bea’s Knees Farm, Kona Kaffee Farm, Konaroma, Ka’awaloa Trail Farm, Lion’s Gate, Kona Lisa Coffee and K Maier Farms.
We would also like to thank Hawai’i Dept. of Agriculture for the seed grant that enabled us to begin this program.
Our next steps will include marketing and order fulfillment for our KCFA Brand 100% Kona Coffee.
At this highly unusual time, I would like to invite our members who have found innovative ways to market their roasted coffee to help us out with your suggestions for the most effective on-line marketing tools and strategies. We will share what we find out with our member farmers. You can email whatever information you would like to pass on to me at chet@cassandrafarms.com.
–Submitted by Chet Gardiner
CBB Pesticide Subsidy Program
Aloha Coffee Farmers!
The new HDOA CBB Pesticide Subsidy Program application is up! Take a few minutes from this busy coffee harvest and complete your application. We are continuing to make the application Covid19 safe, so apply online, by email or by snail mail. Start here: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/main/cbbsubsidy/
This application applies to receipts from 7/1/19 – 6/30/20 which you can scan/photo and email in or mail in. If you have questions, please email hdoa.cbb@hawaii.gov or call 808-323-7578.
-Melanie Bondera
CBB Subsidy Program Coordinator
Effects of Environmental Factors on Microbiota of Fruits and Soil of Coffea arabica in Brazil
“…the aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of topographic and edaphic factors on the bacterial and fungal communities present in the soil and in the fruits of Coffea arabica trees.”
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-71309-y
–Submitted by Mark Shultise
LISC Small Business Relief Grants
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Small Business Relief Grant program has provided over 3,000 entrepreneurs with grants totaling over $48 million during the COVID-19 pandemic to help business and continue to contribute to local economies.
For more information, please go to https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/rural-relief-small-business-grants/
Please send any questions about this grant opportunity to smallbusinessgrants@lisc.org
Stay safe and well.
Mahalo,
Marcia Yoshiyama
Economic Development Technician
County of Hawaii
Department of Research and Development
Direct Line: (808) 961-8085
Email: Marcia.Yoshiyama@hawaiicounty.gov
–Submitted by Suzanne Shriner
KCFA Seals
For Use by Active Voting Members Only! Seals which you may display on your individual bags of coffee assuring your customers that the contents are 100% Kona Coffee.
Please support your KCFA and use our KCFA 100% Seals on your roasted coffee bags. Makes them prettier! Showing the buyer, they are getting the genuine thing AND showing your support for KCFA. Available in our KCFA Store. You need to log in to the KCFA site here put in your name/password and then head over to the Store-top of the page, on the right. Scroll down to the 10th item and you are there. Any trouble, email info@KonaCoffeeFarmers.org Mahalo for your support!
–submitted by Cecelia Smith
The Fungus is Among Us
This year, more farmers have noticed an increase in the amount of damage due to fungus. Are your trees losing leaves?, turning Yellow?, young or stumped trees dying?, coffee beans turning black or brown, and drying out? This could very well be because of fungus. This article below and the links are definitely worth reading. It addresses fungus damage, and mite issues. It’s a quick read with lots of good photos …. Read this and then take a good look at your trees:
From Andrea Kawabata:
I hope your coffee harvest is going well and that you are staying safe.
If you need to get in the last fertilization before the rains slow or stop, please do so now. The conditions are already changing with less rainfall, and rain (or irrigation) is needed to disperse granular fertilizers and nutrients through the soil and into the plant roots.
Keep on top of harvests as best as possible. Picking every 2-3 weeks is ideal for CBB control.
Also, look out for mite damage (bronzing, curling, or reduction in size of leaves). In addition to problems of anthracnose and cercospora, growers have noticed a rise in (broad) mite damage this season.
- Mite damage – https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/mite-feeding-damage.html
- Anthracnose – https://bit.ly/2EbRtbv
- Cercospora – https://bit.ly/3kF6Usr
–Submitted by John Koontz
Coffee Rust is Going to Ruin Your Morning
In this article from The Atlantic, the tragedy of coffee rust is explained – how it has advanced across coffee producing countries and how fungicides that once controlled the disease no longer do. This must be kept out of Hawaii.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/09/coffee-rust/616358/
–Submitted by Cecelia Smith
Coffidential Articles
From September 10, 2020 issue of Coffidential
SUSTAINABILITY RETAINED AT COVID-19 TIMES Coffee harvesting has employed many people who lost their jobs during Covid-19 times enabling them to earn a living and to support local businesses. This is yet another example of the sustainability of Brazilian coffee production that results from continued investment in research and development, technology and innovation. Productivity has jumped from 8 to 32 bags/ha in the past two decades. Brazil produced 18.9 million bags in an area of 2.4 million hectares in 1997 and is expected to produce 60 million bags in an area of 1.9 million hectares this year. By producing more in a smaller area and generating over 8.4 million jobs, coffee production can respond to consumers’ concerns about environmental and social sustainability. Source: CNC
POLLINATION HELPS INCREASE COFFEE PRODUCTIVITY BY 20% Pollination by bees plays an important role in productivity increase in many crops and coffee is no exception. An increase of 20% on productivity was registered in coffee crops that received assisted and intelligent bee pollination this season. Such technique – pollination as bio inputs – is still new and this leaves a lot of opportunities for expansion. In addition to increasing productivity, the ecosystem services provided by pollinating animals generated savings estimated at R$ 43 billion (US$ 8 m) in 2018. Soy accounted for 60% of this estimated value followed by coffee, with 12%.Source: Canal Rural
MECHANICAL DEVICES TO WASH FERMENTED COFFEE This is a longer article that can be found at http://peamarketing.com.br/imgs/pa_coffidential__158__september2020.pdf
Free Online Classes for Hawaii Residents
Offering Free Online Classes Through Corsera for Hawaii Residents
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) is offering Hawai‘i residents complimentary access to the Coursera online learning platform with registration open until October 31, 2020. Approved users can take their pick from more than 3,000 courses and certifications from top universities and organizations, ranging from technology to business and personal development offerings. HTDC is an agency of the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) and has partnered with the TRUE Initiative to bring the Coursera Workforce Recovery Initiative to Hawai‘i.
This initiative, administered through HTDC, offers educational resources to Hawai‘i’s workforce, especially unemployed workers, so they can equip themselves with technology skills and reposition for new career opportunities. Those currently employed or furloughed can leverage Coursera’s offerings to upskill themselves and take on more advanced technology projects. A list of HTDC recommended courses for those interested in picking up technology skills can be found at https://www.htdc.org/covid-19/learning-tech/.
The State has up to 5,000 online learning licenses available that provide free access to courses; approved users will have until December 31, 2020 to complete the courses they have enrolled in at no extra cost. Applicants need to be a Hawaii resident to apply.
For more information and to apply visit HTDC’s website at www.htdc.org/workforce-recovery-initiative-by-coursera. Contact info@htdc.org for additional assistance.
Find more info, including an FAQ, about the Coursera Workforce Recovery Initiative here.
Learn About Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC)
Visit www.HTDC.org.
Learn About the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT)
Visit https://dbedt.hawaii.gov.
Media Contact:
Ellen Ng
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
(808) 539-3839
Agricultural Officials Confirm CBB Presence on Kaua`i
https://www.comunicaffe.com/hawaii-department-of-agriculture-confirms-coffee-berry-borer-presence-on-kaua%e2%80%b2i-island/
HONOLULU, Hawaii, U.S. — The coffee berry borer (CBB), one of the most devastating pest of coffee plants, has been confirmed in a residential area in Kalaheo on the Hawaiian island of Kaua`i. This is the first detection on Kaua`i of CBB which has been established on Hawai`i Island, Maui and O`ahu for several years…
USDA Proposes Strengthening Organic Regulations
https://www.teaandcoffee.net/blog/25375/usda-proposes-strengthening-organic-regulations/
“The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing comprehensive changes to its Organic Certification Program — regulations that may profoundly affect the coffee and tea industries. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purports amending the USDA organic regulations to strengthen oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic agricultural products. The proposed amendments are “intended to protect integrity in the organic supply chain and build consumer and industry…”
Conventional Coffee may be More Beneficial to Health than Organic
https://www.comunicaffe.com/conventional-coffee-may-be-more-beneficial-to-health-than-organic-shows-german-study/
“BREMEN, Germany – They help lowering the blood sugar level, reduce the risk of diabetes and have a positive effect on the liver: chlorogenic acids are considered beneficial for one’s health. In researching coffee beans from Brazil, the work group of Nikolai Kuhnert, Professor of Chemistry at Jacobs University, came to an apparently surprising result: organically grown coffee contains fewer chlorogenic acids than conventional coffee…”
Does Coffee Help or Cause Inflammation?
By CoffeeBUZZ Posted on September 16, 2020
From: healthline.com
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide.
It’s rich in an array of beneficial compounds that may help maintain optimal health and protect you from certain diseases (1Trusted Source).
Coffee is also thought to help reduce inflammation, at least in some people…
https://coffeetalk.com/coffeebuzz/09-2020/69570/
How have Hand Grinders Evolved?
“Ask any experienced coffee brewer about essential equipment for home brewing and sooner or later, they’ll tell you to invest in a grinder.
As many of us know, there are two basic categories of coffee grinder: hand grinders and electric grinders. While the electric grinder might be more established and more popular among enthusiastic home brewers, a new wave of “premium” hand grinders has appeared in recent years…
I spoke to a number of grinder manufacturers and coffee professionals to learn about why this trend has emerged…”
click here> https://tinyurl.com/y4mga74h
–Submitted by Cecelia Smith
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: Commentary.