Natural Farming Symposium

We've been a little busy lately... so what's new, right? Well, this, for one:

Today is the last day of this first annual event so I finally have a chance this morning to catch my breath. The turnout has been fantastic with 150-200 in attendance according to my unofficial count. Australia was well represented, and many flew in from the mainland to participate, as well as from neighbor islands. It's been lovely to catch up with our Natural Farming friends and to make new friends with those who are just starting on this path.

The pig panel: Mike D, Mike H, Neena, Atto

Mike was on the pig panel where experienced piggery operators talked about the KNF way of raising pigs humanely, with no smell, no flies, and zero runoff. The idea is already implemented around the globe, well adapted in Hawaii, and finally gaining a toehold on mainland US. Microbes, living soil, embracing instinctual behaviour... these are a few of the key factors in our success. 

Julius, me, Emily, Kaika

And on the chicken panel was yours truly, in good company. Two of us raise laying hens and two raise broilers. Two are commercial producers. All utilize Korean Natural Farming. (And at least three of us were awfully nervous beforehand. But we all survived and did just fine.) Good Q&A afterwards, and I sold a bunch more copies of my book, too.

Dana speaking about Hawaiian cultural connections with growing food

Today is the last day of the symposium, a day mainly comprised of farm tours, and though ours is not on the official tour (showcasing larger operations and school farms) we do have several people coming by for the unofficial version. Then, this evening is the final soiree, with our State Senator, and the premier screening of In Search of Balance - "a documentary highlighting the health benefits of IMOs and Natural Farming."

Kudos to those who worked hard to put on the symposium. Even old-timers like us have been learning a new trick or two and I think everyone is coming away enthused to do more.
Spread the knowledge - and all those good microbes - everywhere!