Farm Projects

Exploring sustainable practices that are good for the 'āina (land) as well as the sea.

Short Hair Sheep

Enhancing ecosystems through livestock initiatives.

Hair sheep (not wool sheep like their cool weather counterparts) are bred for tropical and subtropical regions and are well adapted to hot, humid climates like leeward Oahu. They are definitely sheep - not goats - just remember sheep tails go down.

The average sheep generally produces about 2,000 lbs. of manure annually. Last year, the soil on our farm benefited from about 8 tons of sheep manure as organic matter and a natural fertilizer in the native landscape. Among the advantages, it improves soil structure, increases nutrient content, improves water retention and promotes plant growth.

Honey Bees

Honey bees are vital for sustainable agriculture. They are key pollinators and crucial for crop production and biodiversity. Likewise, their health is directly impacted by farming practices.

A single honey bee can pollinate 5,000 flowers in a day. On average, a colony of bees can effectively pollinate an acre of trees.

Without pollinators, many crops would decrease, leading to food shortages and higher prices. Bees forage for nectar and pollen - transferring pollen from one flower to another - facilitating cross pollination which is essential for plant reproduction and seed/food production.