Five Week Hawaii Garden Certificate Training

Malama Kauai is offering their second Hawaii Garden Certificate Training to the community to install a large-scale school garden at Kawaikini Public Charter School in Lihue. Classes are Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,  and start on Nov. 7.  Dr. Adam Asquith from Kealia Farm will lead participants in the garden installation, providing classroom and hands-on education in gardening basics.

The 5 week course will cover:

• Week 1: Planning, design and plant selection
• Week 2: Soil, compost, mulching, and amendments
• Week 3: Plants and seeds
• Week 4: Pests and problems
• Week 5: Garden maintenance and harvesting

Each class will include lecture, discussion and hands-on time in the garden to apply the skills learned. The purpose of the training is not only to educate and empower community members to produce more of their own food, but to support Kawaikini Public Charter School by installing and helping to maintain their school gardens, which will be used for school snacks and educational class activities.

The cost of the course is $50, however, those who volunteer in the school garden after the program can receive a full refund, making the class free of charge. This program is supported by Kokua Hawaii Foundation, Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, The Ulupono Initiative and Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC).

Registration is required, as class size is limited. Those interested in participating in the training can apply online at www.malamakauai.org or call Sara at 828-0685 x18 .