The aftermath of the Kona low storms in the islands of Hawai‘i has left farmers in an unpredictable position going forward. Extreme flooding leaves farms utterly destroyed and intoxicated with potential bacteria and chemicals.
Organizations, sponsors and state support have been doing everything they can to aid farm owners during this difficult time. Local support programs like GoFarm are assisting heavily with flood recovery.
“We realize this is a pretty heavy time for a lot of us,” said Kyle Barber, Agriculture Business Consultant for GoFarm. “We acknowledge that this has been a disaster for not only farmers but also community members who have experienced catastrophic flooding.”
Documenting damages and accessing the value of crops are necessary steps farmers should take in order to receive insurance. GoFarm has put together a calculator called the “Flood Loss Assessment Calculator” on their website, to help farmers get a better understanding of total damages incurred.
“Damage on a farm is a combination of crop loss and infrastructure damage,” said Barber.
It’s also crucial for farmers to create a replanting plan as soon as possible, while also identifying funding assistance programs and making themselves aware of emergency grants being offered.
“Food safety is probably what we get the most questions about,” added Barber. “‘Are my crops safe to sell?’ The answer is typically no.”
There are large concerns that crops impacted by flooding contain bacteria like salmonella and E. coli.
“The recommendation is to not sell or eat any of this produce,” said Barber.
The standard procedure after a flood is to replant crops after 30 to 60 days, according to Barber. Variables such as soil conditions, weather and containment risk all factor in when considering replanting. Soil testing often helps to shorten timelines.
“If your farm experienced a lot of sediment drop, I would recommend it gets tested,” explained Barber.
Interisland soil exchange is usually acceptable from islands other than the Big Island occasionally.
Another challenge farmers are faced with is illness in chicken flocks.
“It’s mostly because these chickens have been in standing water and typically the water quality is very low,” said Barber.
As federal programs are typically slow in responding, the speaker reiterates the importance and significance of documentation.
Many webinars are being hosted about livestock safety, and there are usually direct contacts of individuals that can provide help.
Some Hawai‘i farmers have created GoFundMes as a way to generate income immediately.
“Us farmers are already in the stress of occupation,” added Barber. “Flooding and disasters only make it worse.”
Farmers are encouraged to work closely with lenders, especially after a disaster like this one.
“All these lenders have disaster relief programs,” said Barber. “They are usually able to pause and potentially restructure loans.”
“We want to hear it from you farmers where you need help,” said Barber. “We have an intake process that requires you to fill out a form and we will meet with you right away.”
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and other similar programs are currently providing grants. GoFarm is reliant on funding from sponsors. Barber is optimistic that more of these programs will pop up in the future.
“A lot of farms lost everything, but also a lot of people lost everything,” said Barber.
