Notes from the 2004 SCAA Show

New Bern Roasters (252-634-1952) is looking for one-bag quantities of green Kona direct.

Gave out 73 copies of Farmer Direct list.

4-26-04

Kona Coffee Council
Monthly Meetings

Kona Coffee Festival

Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup Day

Mamalahoa Highway between markers 105 and 107 in Honaunau is our responsibility. Volunteers are needed for work parties to pick up trash, etc. All supplies, safety gear, bags, etc. are provided. Bring gloves, wear light weight clothing, sunscreen. and real shoes (no slippers, thongs, sandals). Also no tools or children.

Meets on a SATURDAY, at 9:00 am
At Church of the Latter Day Saints
Mauka side of the highway, just past the Middle Keei junction.

PRUNING SEMINAR

Coffee Growing Forum

SOME AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS---DON MARTIN

• 43% of all statewide coffee production comes from Kona
• 40% of all statewide coffee acreage is located in Kona
• $20 million annual farm-gate value (cherry & parchment) statewide for coffee
• 80% of the average yield/tree in parchment is less than 5 lbs (20 lbs cherry)
• top reported average yield/tree in parchment is 10 lbs or more (40 lbs cherry)
• typical farm yields 1200 lbs parchment (4800 lbs cherry) per acre
• 80% of the coffee farms in Kona are 5 acres or less in size
• 33% of all farms and 27% of the total acreage of coffee farms in Kona are owned by people 65 years or older
• for many years, coffee acreage was pretty flat; in 1997, big jump in coffee acreage

For many questions, Mr. Martin had no information. It is possible that other offices have the information but there is no consolidated source on many coffee production statistics. For example, no data are available on average density (trees per acre); yield per tree as a function of the age of the tree and yield per acre as a function of farm size

If the Kona Coffee Council wants specific data, and can speak as "one voice" for the organization, we could send a list of questions we want answered to various sources. Mr. Martin might re-analyze some data on a time-available basis, or might work in a partnership to add items to forthcoming surveys.

An energetically discussed issue was lack of data of production and sales of value added products, such as processed coffee sold as a farm product by the farmer. Participants in the forum strongly wanted such data as reflecting new methods of marketing (web sites) and new approaches by the farmers.

The following two questions were asked at the forum. Don Martin provided the answers after checking the data.

PLANTING PRACTICES PANEL-EMPHASIS ON NEW PLANTINGS

Sally Rice

As a "contract coffee farmer," she works with planting raw land.

She uses bulldozers to prepare soil well. She chips organic material, rather than burying it, to avoid pits in a few years when the organic material decays. She fertilizes before she plants, and uses 6 x 12 spacing for easier mowing and maintenance.

She expects it will take several years to get the land up to the mark after bulldozing. She uses irrigation for new plantings, 1 gallon/hour emitters. Most of her work is on farms without electricity and so she uses battery powered timers.

For makai plantings, she adds another emitter/tree in year 3. She uses irrigation to deliver fertilizer. Also uses some foliar and some granular fertilize for trace elements, particularly zinc deficiencies. Color came back rapidly after foliar fertilization. Fertilizes with 8-8-8. Plants March through August.

Great importance of initial plant quality. Checks each plant individually BEFORE planting for J-root. If J-root far enough down, can snip the tips. Hookena Nursery and Vicki Swift are good sources of quality plants. Uses mix of cinder, mac nut compost and Waimea top soil for planting.

Vicki Swift

A family farmer for about 15 years.

Her farm is way South Kona, very dry; therefore, she uses:

• double row planting, 5' x 5' offset in rows with 10' between rows
• 75 geese as primary weed control
• creates pens about l/3 acre in size, lets the geese crop the weeds to the ground which they do in about 4 days, rotates geese to another field. Has enough fields so cropped ground grows back before geese returned to the same pen.
• uses 6-2-10 organic fertilizer from Farm and Garden in addition to plentiful goose dropping.
• uses Maxicrop foliar fertilizer for fast results.
• foliar fertilizing between 7 and 10 am.
• sprays from the back of a tractor.
• uses trees for shade, and is specially enthusiastic about monkeypod and kukui nut trees as fast growing, easy to prune to 12 foot height (changed from Gliricidia).
• uses a lot of compost and mulch.

Shawn Steiman

A researcher who completed his M.S. Starting a four year field research project to study effects on coffee yield and quality of different amounts of shade from trees and different shade trees.

Offered the highlights of his review of the research literature. The research was done elsewhere, NOT in the Kona/Hawaii area. Answering the question, "Does shade make a difference in yield and quality," this prior research shows:

• 17% increase in fruit weight as shade increases.
• 20% increase in bean size.
• decrease in bean defects and increase in bean appearance.
• decrease in bitterness, decrease in aroma.
• increase in acidity, increase in body.
• increase in chlorogenic acids, sucrose and caffeine.

Does not have information on initial baseline levels interacting with shade; or on effects of shade provided from cloud cover such as we have in Kona; or on whether there is a straight linear relationship between amount of shade and the increases and decreases noted. Participants noted from experience that directly UNDER trees, little production. Benefits observed from trees about 10 feet away from the trunk of shade trees.

Michael Kramer

Mr. Kramer teaches courses on Permaculture and recommended those interested enroll in his courses, read books he has found worthwhile. His perspective is that of an environmentalist, one interested in promoting values associated with permaculture, not a grower or farmer.

His main points included:
There is a triple bottom line; social, ecological, economic; and the focus is on sustainability.

Natural forests are self-sustaining with regard to soil health, productivity, regeneration. They do not require costly fertilizers or extensive work the goal is a coffee farm (or other farm) that is close to a natural forest in order to conserve soil health, soil biodiversity, reduce dependence on fertilizers with the costs and work involved.

Emphasizes interplantings of nitrogen-fixing trees and other plants close to the roots of coffee trees.

ORGANIC COFFEE FARMING, SOIL ANALYSIS

Melanie Bondera is an organic farmer in Honaunau. Her presentation was based on excellent handouts summarizing her experience in the benefits of growing organic coffee.

Bill Cullum is a HOFA (Hawaii Organic Farmers Association) inspector.

Opportunity knocks: Through a one-time federal grant, you can get back 75% of the certification costs for farms inspected before October 2004. You pay HOFA the usual fee; HOFA will give you the forms to send in; the farmer gets back a check that equals 75% of the HOFA inspection fees.

The new federal laws have changed things from prior HOFA certification processes. More specifically, there must be documentation of practices and the inspectors primarily look at the farmer's record keeping. Examples are records of when the crop was fertilized and with what fertilizers. Keeping receipts of fertilizers purchased helps document use of approved fertilizers.

The HOFA handbook gives templates for record-keeping. It also gives detailed lists of approved and non-approved fertilizers and requirements such as buffer zones if adjacent farms are non-organic. The buffer zone is 25 feet, marked and with ways of diverting drift, such as planting hedgerows. Another approach is to offer to weedwhack 25 feet of your neighbor's property so the neighbor's farm is kept weed-free for 25 feet without using unapproved weed control such as Round-up.

Q: Does HOFA have a list of WHERE we can buy, right here on the Big Island, the APPROVED coffee fertilizers?

A: No, HOFA doesn't have any information on where you can buy approved fertilizers. You have to ask the store selling fertilizers which ones are approved for organic use. Or organic coffee farmers could make a hui and order directly in large quantities. It would be cheaper anyhow than buying from a store. HOFA does not work with local farm supply stores to give them lists of organic fertilizers or to encourage them to stock organic fertilizers.

Virginia Easton-Smith

Virginia described the process of how to collect soil and leaf samples and submit them to CTAHR, noting the process can take 2-3 weeks before the farmer gets a report.

Among her points:
A 1999 survey of Kona coffee soils showed deficiencies in calcium and zinc the zinc deficiency symptom is narrow strap-like leaves on new growth recommended amount of fertilizer is 2,000 lbs per acre per year of 15-5-20 NPK. However, too much nitrogen and potassium reduce quality, and too much calcium and phosphorus gives a bitter taste.

The biggest factor in poor yields is lack of water, nitrogen deficiency and potassium deficiency. When older leaves show browning and drying at the edges and tip, it can be a sign of potassium deficiency. Observed in younger leaves, this indicates lack of water and/or fertilizer burning.

Over-bearing die-back (dies back from the tip; leaves turn yellow; flowers won't open and beans do not ripen to red) indicates potassium and other deficiencies, drought, and/or root damage.

Reggie Hasegawa, United Horticultural Supply (UHS)

With nitrate nitrogen there is less volatilization and better utilization of nitrogen than with urea. Recommends substituting muriate of potash with sulfate of potash. UHS has worked closely with HOFA on fertilizers and has some that are certified organic. EM, or Effective Microorganisms, are a mix of microorganism that many feel improve soil or plant health.

DISCUSSION Q, A and C

Q: Is there a local source of earthworms where you can buy containers of a 1,000 or so from a store?

A: No local sources of earthworms. Ask a friend who has good soil or a compost pile.

Q: How fresh do soil samples have to be?

A. They can be dry.

Q: What are the data on the reliability and accuracy of CTAHR soil sample testing?

A: Don't know about data but CTAHR extraction methods are modified for Hawaii soils and should be very accurate. However, if you send samples to the same testing place each year, the reports should be reliable to you can compare relative levels across years. Also, pH home test kits are usually very accurate.

Q: What is the influence of vog on soil and nutrition?

A: No data. It probably acidifies the soil.

Q: How useful is anhydrous ammonia in water?

A: This is too dangerous to handle.

Q: What is the truth about the claims for the benefits of neem oil and neem cake?

A: We have no data. We can tell you about traditional uses. Neem cake is used as a slow-release nitrogen source and neem oil traditionally is used as an insecticide, but there are no data.

C: From personal use, neem oil mixed with Safer soap does a good job against scale and molds but it is not as effective as organophosphates.

Q: How useful is a propane flame thrower in weed control?

A: From personal experience, on succulent type weeds, I need to go over the fields about six times at one week intervals.

C: This depends on what you are trying to kill. Something dry and bunchy such as molasses grass, works well, but not for anything succulent and juicy. Also, you can start major fires. I use this only on rock wall areas.

Q: Are there any inoculants one can use directly on the roots for planting coffee?

A: Bacterial inoculants for nitrogen fixation are only effective on nitrogen-fixing plants.

C: Use nitrogen fixing plants such as perennial peanuts or add compost tea.

Q: How many days are required in federal organic regulations before compost is considered organic?

A: This is a bigger issue for green type crops than putting around tree roots. Usually, 120 days for hot moist compost process and 9 months for cold compost.

C: Elaine Ingam's outstanding manual on composting recommends 155 degrees F. Or look on the web under soilfood.com

PRUNING PRACTICES (presentation by Bob Smith)

Coffee beans form on last year's growth. Three years growth on the vertical gives the maximum crop. Avoid verticals on bent over verticals. Verticals should grow to about 10-12 feet higher than stump.

Beaumont-Fukunaga prunes every third row to the stump, permitting more space and light and thus better yield per tree. This works well for new plantings. It is very efficient, because one only has to remember which row to prune, and no decisions other than pruning down to the stump.

However, for older trees, OK to have 1, 2 and 3 year old verticals on the same stump. Remember the idea is to give plenty of light and air to each vertical. Older trees have more space to have multi-age verticals.

Also, when you prune down to the stump, some trees never come back unless you leave a "lung", particularly old trees. You need to be VERY careful in pruning old trees. Leave at least one vertical on each section because without new growth, that section will die. If you completely remove the suckers and verticals, that's a dead section of an older tree. Develop space between verticals.

Even at best, you will lose some trees with each pruning; replant yearly when a tree is shaky or not thriving. "If a tree is not doing well for me, it's gone." Use the pull test: if the tree is shaky, get rid of it.

"Pruning is the start of the farming year."

(a) selection of the new and old verticals to prune. Never prune before January. WAIT UNTIL THERE IS ADEQUATE RAINFALL FOR NEW GROWTH. Growth develops May, June, July and August. Rains are usually strong in March.

(b) first suckering about three months later

(c )suckering the second time about three months after this

In selecting the verticals to prune, gently bend the verticals or the suckers over. You should be able to bend it and have it return to the vertical. Other suckers are more weakly attached and will later break or fail to thrive. Wait until suckers are about 12 inches tall so you can bend gently and check which to prune and which to keep. Remember, "new growth must be unimpeded. Take off any cross-laterals that will impede new growth. Too many branches is NOT better! Let the light in!"

Takes 4 years to go from seedling to maximum bearing wood. The height of the stump should be about as high as your knee: approx 2 ft depending on your own height. This is for ease of pruning and harvesting. The stump grows slowly. You will get a LOT of coffee in the 5th year for a vertical, when it starts to lean over, but not so easy to pick. The decision for older trees on whether to cut or to prop depends on your sense of spatial relations. Always remember you want to give ample light and room. If the 5th year vertical bending over would interfere with light and room, cut; if not, keep.

There are only very small differences in yield between the two systems. Workers prefer Beaumont-Fukunaga, because in harvesting, they can trash every third row as it will be cut down to the stump anyhow - - - particularly in a managed farm.

Suckers that are bonded together happen on almost every tree. Cut these off UNLESS there are no other suckers and it is absolutely necessary in order to keep that section of the stump alive. You can split or pinch carefully.

I prune for square stumps, not at an angle. Select shoots closest to the prune line to remain, in order to get the strongest connection to the tree. Tree seal is not needed: coffee trees are all self-sealing.

Remember the importance of the pruning cycle. I get about 30 lbs/tree/year cherry on the average.

Q: Can you bend the verticals and grow the trees like grape vines?

A: I do not, in order to minimize the work.

C: Leave the prunings and clippings where they fall to increase humus. Do not need to haul them away, pile them up, just chip them in the field if you can get a chipper there or let them decay. "Never burn anything, not even a twig borer. I break the twig in half and stick each end in the ground. "

C: You have to return organic matter to the soil.

Q: What is the life cycle of the twig borer?

A: CTAHR has done a lot of work on this insect. Eggs are laid in clusters inside the twigs, they hatch into white larvae with a distinct head, they pupate within the gallery in the twig, then the adult emerges. After mating the females emerge and bore into a new twig. The life cycle takes an average of 29 days. C: We see the white larvae in the cavity and know these can't live on their own. There has been a big increase in the twig borer recently. The University researchers should forget all this enthusiasm for GMO coffee and find out what the predator of the twig borer is and how we can control it, and what's happening with the increase.

Stuart Nakamoto:ECONOMICS OF COFFEE FARMING USING THE CTAHR SPREAD SHEET IN EXCEL

Stuart Nakamoto, CTAHR agricultural economist, demonstrated a highly detailed spread sheet (developed by Dr. Kent Fleming) that could help make decisions on whether or not to farm coffee in a given year, if one has data on costs per tree such as pruning, fertilizing, irrigation, and reliable information on coffee prices. After he walked us through his spread sheet, (copies available), questions included:

Kamehameha Schools representative Bob Rosehill:

In answers to questions about lease land inspection and organic farms, he indicated that weed control is of great concern to the Bishop Estate and they are no longer taking a farmer's word this is an organic farm.

There can be no Christmasberry, no high grasses and weeds, etc. They now require a certification that the farm is organic, if organic approaches are to be taken into consideration. If the farm is truly organic that is fine with KS, but they felt some leassees were just saying their farm was organic to avoid weed control.

The HOFA representative noted the new federal rules do not recognize any transitional periods or stages.

DISCUSSION FOLLOWING THE PANEL

IN SUMMARY:

Much appreciation to the panelists and speakers. Desire to have another meeting like this one but focusing on the harvesting and processing aspects of coffee farming. Plans to develop a priority list of statistical and research needs from a coffee farmers' perspective. Plans to form an organic farming local informal group for exchange of ideas, bulk fertilizer purchases, etc.

Many thanks to all and an apology to anyone whose comments were not adequately presented. This summary was prepared by Lois-Ellin Datta as a volunteer from notes taken informally, and may be incomplete and/or not as correct as if a tape had been made. It has been reviewed by forum organizers who would like to thank Ms. Datta for all the work she did.

Coffee Talk

Coffee Talk is an open discussion on any aspect of coffee growing. New and experienced growers are encouraged to participate in this new format for the dissemination of coffee information which also provides an opportunity to interact with other coffee industry members. It is NOT necessary to register to attend.

For more information please call Virginia Easton Smith at 322-4892.

Gardening Hotline

For all of your gardening and landscape questions remember to call the Gardening Hotline every Thursday at 322-4892 from 9:00-noon.  Trained volunteers will be available to help you.  This free service is offered by the Kona Outdoor Circle and the UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service.

Growing Coffee in Hawai'i

AVAILABLE IN APRIL (being reprinted due to demand!) - GROWING COFFEE IN HAWAI'I - A production manual of CTAHR's classic series of circulars, completely revised and updated. A MUST for the serious coffee farmer!

Educational Materials

NOTE: Our collection of Educational Materials is available to all at the Kailua-Kona Public Library.

Tea And Coffee

KCC Display at Honolulu Airport