University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Expands Aquaponics Training

At the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, educators have launched the Adapting Precision Farming Technologies for Sustainable Aquaponics Systems in Hawaiʻi undertaking on the campus’ WaiPono Farm aquaponics and hydroponics greenhouse with funding from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The undertaking focuses on increasing workforce coaching utilizing precision agriculture applied sciences in aquaponics programs.

“This project will address key community training needs relevant for local agriculture,” mentioned Chancellor Lui Hokoana. “The potential impacts of the project include advancing knowledge in the application of precision agriculture technologies in aquaponics production systems and developing sustainable food systems in Hawaiʻi for food security and community resiliency.”

The undertaking will create a brand new program to boost the school’s agricultural workforce coaching with a objective of coaching members aged 16+ in Hawaiʻi. It features a 16-week apprenticeship-based workforce coaching program involving 80 hours of paid work-based studying on the WaiPono Farm website, culminating within the award of the Sustainable Aquaponics System Certificate of Professional Development and Aquaponics Apprenticeship Certificate of Professional Development.

The undertaking additionally goals to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating domestically sourced fish feed and nutritious native crops by means of student-led tasks that combine distant monitoring gadgets and knowledge evaluation and improve the variety of college students pursuing school and profession pathways in agriculture, with a minimal of 70% persevering with training and/or employment in agriculture-related fields.

The Sustainable Living Institute of Maui launched the WaiPono Farm in 2016 to develop, mannequin and promote modern, sustainable meals programs strategies and practices in managed surroundings greenhouses in city and rural settings utilizing aquaponics and hydroponics rising applied sciences, capacity-building frameworks and education schemes to help meals safety, financial growth by means of meals innovation and regenerative agriculture.

“In the wake of the global pandemic and its negative impact on the workforce in Hawaiʻi, learning precision farming skills and technology in the applied environment of aquaponics systems holds the potential to support effective, efficient and productive agricultural systems for new and established farmers,” Hokoana mentioned.

PHOTO: Students within the apprenticeship program showcase the recent produce raised in hydroponic programs. Courtesy of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.