Show your support for growing locally!

You can help by signing the letter below (cut and paste) and sending it via email to: oahuleague@yahoo.com

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Letter of support for the lease extension of the Miyamoto Lease, and subsequent re-assignment to Alchemy Farms



To DLNR Board members and personnel:

As a member of this community I wish to show my support for the 10-year lease extension of the Miyamoto lease (41-924 Waikupanaha, Waimanalo), and the subsequent lease assignment to Alchemy Farms for the development of sustainable agriculture.

I urge the DLNR to approve and support the Alchemy Farms plan to develop and promote sustainable farming practices of diversified agriculture. This project will serve as a model for innovative and ecologically smart farming, demonstrating methods of maximizing agricultural lands and profits, while minimizing negative impacts on the ecology and community.

As fuel prices rise, so does the need for Hawaii to support locally grown agriculture. Sustainable farming operations must be given priority for agricultural lands to feed the people of Hawaii, and preserve the integrity of the land for future generations.

Sincerely,

(name, phone, email, etc)
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For more info in the issue of sustainable farming in Hawaii, check out the O'ahu Sustainability League

(click Pic for larger view)

Introduction

Alchemy Farms is dedicated to maximizing the use of agricultural land through organic and permaculture techniques.



The farm will have two major agricultural components: Landscaping Plants, and Organic Produce. We will be propagating non-invasive and native trees for use in the landscape industry as well as growing organic produce to serve the growing organic food demand on the islands .

There is a shortage of organic suppliers at the time, so we feel that this is an excellent opportunity for the farmers of Hawaii to explore the economic and environmental benefits of organic farming.

Alchemy Farms will be a model for green technology. There is a large green house on the property, the roof of which will act as a water catchment. The water will diverted into a large swail, then it will then be used to irrigate the crops via solar pumps and drip irrigation. Even when there is no rain, the roof is large enough to catch and divert a sizable amount of water from night condensation alone. The goal is to only use city water as a back up, thus saving money and a precious public resource.

We are in the permitting stages of building a "Green Machine" liquid fertilizer unit, which would allow us to produce an organic in house fertilizer in 24 hours, from start to finish. This unit can convert 80 gallons of kitchen waste per day, with no negative byproducts. Alchemy will be able to deliver fresh produce directly to restaurants, then pick up food waste to deliver back to the farm for composting. This saves the city from having to dispose the waste, and allows us to tighten the recycling loop.

Alchemy Farms plans to purchase refrigerated containers for the storage of produce that are run on solar power.

We believe that the solutions to the environmental problems that we face as a society, are here and available for implementation. We want to put these solutions to use to demonstrate that sustainable practices are not only environmentally useful, but economically viable.

A major component of the business model will be Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA. Having produce picked up directly from the farm shortens the distance from the farm to the table, and increases the profit margin of the operation. This also allows the consumer to see where their food is coming from, and helps the public understand and connect with the importance of local farming.

Alchemy Farms: Landscape Division

Alchemy Farms: Landscape Division
Smart Landscaping – Plants, Designs, Maintenance

Alchemy Nursery is a sustainable landscape nursery specializing in recycling, xeriscaping, edible landscape designs, and drought tolerant trees. We specialize in landscaping with plant relationships in mind.




The Xeriscape Concept-
Xeriscaping is the art and practice of low-to-no water use landscaping. Techniques include climate specific plant combinations, and utilizing rocks, cement, and mulch to preserve ground water. The Xeriscape concept was popularized in Arizona in the early 1980’s and has been championed worldwide by progressive municipal water departments to encourage water conservation. We are working to adapt this desert born concept into climate specific techniques for the various zones in Hawai’i.





Customized Trees
Alchemy Nursery specializes in the production and sale of non-invasive flowering trees. Shower Trees, Pua Kenikeni, Hong Kong Orchid, Plumeria, to name a few. We procure trees to fit your job.





Character Trees
Want something original? We have hand selected specimen trees that have something special going on. Unique shapes and
sizes, oddballs and one-of-a-kinds.




Creative Recycling-
We are turning byproducts into resources: tree mulch as groundcover, weed control, and media - fertilizing with Effective Microorganisms (EM) and livestock waste as an option to chemicals - using cement slabs from demolition jobs to mosaic living lanai’s - harvesting branches instead of mulching them. This is the fusion of agriculture and waste management, recycling and business development.




Micro Environments

We have a selection of containerized micro-environments from small to large, and we will design to fit your specific needs. These “little worlds” make great conversation pieces, moving the plants into the world of art.

Produce list and info.

Vegetables
- Malabar Spinach
- Kombucha Squash
- Acorn Squash
- Eggplant (Japanese and Italian)
- Swiss Chard
- Rainbow Chard
- Okra
- Cassava
- Corn
- Pak Choi
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Beets
- Lalot

Herbs/Spices
- Rosemary
- Sweet Basil
- Thai Basil
- Mint
- Onion Chives
- Garlic Chives
- Katuk
- Arugala
- Nasturtium (orange)
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Hawaiian Chiles
- Tumeric
- Curry Leaf
- Ginger
- Hibiscus (Sabdariffa)
- Lemon Grass

Fruit
- Bannana
- Papaya
- Guava
- Lime


Katuk: Eat it yum.

Here is some info on the crops we are growing @ Alchemy Farms:

One of the best green vegetables you can eat:
Katuk


Hight in calcium and Vitamin C, this plant also had a 6 to 10 percent protien level. Tasty, excellent right off the shrub, or saute'd with basil as a savory compote for fish or chicken. Salads, soups, omlets, etc. Good and good for you.



Eat the leaves, little red meaty flowers, and the seed pods while they are still white.

Drought tollerant, prolific, good in sun or shade, works as an edible landscape plant as a hedge, privacy screen, windbreak.

Google Earth images of the farm. Click to enlarge.