Eden Marie Peart Organizer, Hawaii Farmers Union / Owner-operator Kawaiholehole Farm, P.O. Box 1863, Honokaa, HI 96727. HFU is the newest subdivision of the National Farmers Union, America's oldest general farming organization. Eden is engaged in establishing HFU and community food sovereignty initiatives. Utilizing her background in agricultural production and teaching / school librarianship she is developing her 14 acre farm to include food production, value-added ag products, habitat restoration and an enrichment program for foster youth.
	Irene Plunkett-Mina Co-owner, Kahanu Aina Sprouts, 1768 Kalawi Place, Wailuku, HI 96793. Irene is a biological farmer who assists other farmers in promoting fresh island produce in the marketplace. She also promotes and works to increase soil fertility in Hawaii through education, outreach programs, seminars and conferences. Irene serves as an officer of Maui Aloha Aina Association and is a member and special events coordinator for the Maui County Farm Bureau.
	Kylie Matsuda Managing Director, Kahuku Farms, PO Box 36, Kahuku, HI 96731. A 4th generation farmer, Kylie hopes to continue her family’s farming legacy by diversifying its offerings through Agtourism activities and value added products. As a graduate of the Travel Industry Management School at the University of Hawaii, Kylie’s primary goal is to create a sustainable model of agriculture through education and the business of growing fresh local food.
	Laurie Goodwin Hawaii Outreach Manager, Syngenta Seeds, 7050 Kaumualii Hwy, Kekaha, HI, 96752. Laurie's job with Syngenta includes cultivating and supporting business, community and government relations through outreach and education. She obtained a B.S. majoring in Agronomy from the University of Guelph. She has been an accredited member of the Certified Crop Advisor group for over eight years and is the current Chairperson of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association's Outreach committee.
	Luisa F. Castro Assistant Water Quality Coordinator, CTAHR, Cooperative Extension Service, 875 Komohana Street, Hilo, HI 96720. Luisa coordinates federally-funded pollution risk assessment and public education projects. She produces and delivers water quality and pollution assessment education materials through workshops, trainings, public presentations and electronic media. She also coaches farmers on adopting good agricultural practices to promote farm food safety.
	Marissa Harman Land Asset Manager, Kamehameha Schools Land Assets Division, 78-6831 Ali’i Drive, Suite 234, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Marissa is involved in the planning and management of Kamehameha Schools’ agricultural and conservation lands on Hawai’i Island. KS agricultural leases cover a wide range of crops and a variety of growing conditions. She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies – Hawaiian Preservation and a M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning.
	Mark Lopes Manager, Harvesting and Field Preparation Department, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., P.O. Box 266, Puunene, HI 96784. HC&S’s principal businesses are the growing and milling of sugarcane on 36,000 acres on Maui; production of raw sugar, molasses, and specialty sugar; and the generation and sale of electricity. Mark has worked for HC&S for 26 years. He lives in the upcountry area with his son and recently obtained his business degree from the University of Phoenix.
	Mike Shimatsu Roast Master, Kauai Coffee Co., P.O. Box 530, Kalaheo, HI 96741. Kauai Coffee grows, processes and roasts coffee. The business focuses on the sale and marketing of green (unroasted) coffee and the sale of roasted coffee. Mike manages the production, operation and maintenance requirements of the roasting plant. He is a member of the Kauai Farm Bureau and the Hawaii Coffee Association (for whom he has conducted cupping and grading workshops).
	Thong-Teng Neo Manager, Asia Pacific Flowers Inc, P.O. Box 1121, Hilo, HI 96778. Asia Pacific Flowers, founded in 1977, is one of the oldest and largest commercial cut and potted orchid nurseries in Hawaii. Neo is from Singapore and has traveled and worked in different Asian countries before moving to Hawaii 6 years ago. Currently he is the President of the Orchid Growers of Hawaii, a statewide orchid association.
	Randy Yokoyama Operation Manager, Monsanto Company, Box 609, Hanapepe, HI 96716. Randy has a B.S. in Landscape Horticulture from Rutgers University. He is married to Suzanne and has a son named Braeden. He has worked for Monsanto for 14 years where he grows mostly seed corn. Randy is currently the board Treasurer for the Kauai County Farm Bureau and a former board Secretary of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association.
	Ron Weidenbach Co-Owner, Hawaii Fish Company, P.O. Box 1039, Waialua, HI 96791. Ron manages a multi-species aquafarm on the North Shore of Oahu and is President of the Hawaii Aquaculture Association (i.e. State aquaculture industry association). He has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Natural Resource Management from the University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources, and was formerly a Fishery Biologist with the University of Miami, the University of Michigan and the East West Center.
	Sabrina White Assistant Manager, Ponoholo Ranch, Ltd., P.O. Box 2647, Kamuela, HI 96743. Sabrina is a 3rd generation rancher on her family-owned, commercial cow/calf operation with Angus and Charolais as the predominant breeds. Memberships include the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council. She is a graduate of Colorado State University with a B.S. in Animal Science, Industry Concentration.
Class XII Brochure - click here for a pdf version of the brochure