COM 0604.034 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURAL SERVICES Tom & Maile Young a', Young's Farm (FS) y„~, Laupahcehce, HI Elev: 1,000' - 30 acres Crops: 6 acres of aspazagus with cattle & tish. Water source is a penmial stream. The Youngs have been helped with a cost share plan through the Soil and Water Con- servation in the 80's and recently a RETA-H grant for their asparagus. Tom has been farming since 1961, he worked for Hamakua Sugar for 16 years, and has had his farm for 26 years. He is a member of the North/Flilo Hamakua Ag Coop and the Farmer's Bureau. When asked about the Hamakua Ditch, "We definitely have to keep it going. It is one of the most tremendous resources we have for the Hamakua Coast." When asked about the Ag Coop's ability to manage county lands, "This would be a major benefit to the fanners and the people of this area to be able to get a fair price for ag lots." TAGADON'S FARM I Marcelino Tagadon Kapalena, HI Ag Coop lease - 21 acres Elev: 200' to 500' Crops: Macadamia Nut, Coftee, & soon Cocoa. Water source: Hamakua Ditch Started the farm in 1996. Received BETA-H grant for his coffee only which is planted between the mac nuts on the lower portion of the farm. Marcelino has treated his whole farm with crushed coral, mulched with mac nut husks, and planted iron wood wind break. He is letting the grass grow at present between the rows to mitigate wind and salt air. He mows 2x a month and has apprx. 60 mac nuts per acre. He has also developed a pond for water reserve and aqualculture, where he is raising catfish and talapia. E{e stresses that the Hamakua Ditich is very important to all the fanners and agrees that the Ag Coop could manage the county lands so that there can be more opportunity to expand and diversity.