In June, Class XVIII of the Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP) visited the Maui sunflower farm of Pacific Biodiesel founders Bob and Kelly King.
Marketing Director Joy Galatro began with a overview of the company’s background and current operations. Bob King offered insights into the regenerative farming practices implemented at the farm as well as information on the biodiesel-fueled equipment used at the site. Co-founder Kelly King spoke to the group about some of the co-products currently being produced by their company and the potential for even more products given the right circumstances.
Attendees also had a chance to taste the premium Maui Sunflower culinary oil produced by Maiden Hawaii Naturals from seeds harvested at the Maui farm, and enjoyed some one-on-one time with the presenters.
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- Pacific Biodiesel’s Bob King provided insight into the regenerative farming methods used at the site.
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- The group received insight on some of the challenges and opportunities that a farming operation presents.
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- After the presentations attendees had some one-on-one time with the Pacific Biodiesel team.
“We sincerely appreciated your investment of time in sharing information about your operation with us,” wrote Executive and Program Director of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaiʻi Christine Brammer. “The information we have gained from our site visits around the state have given us a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist in Hawai‘i agriculture and as leaders we are looking forward to using that knowledge to make a difference in agriculture in the future.”
The ALP is the signature training program of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaiʻi. The statewide program brings together promising leaders from Hawai‘i’s diverse agriculture sector to develop the skills necessary to find solutions to current issues that challenge agriculture, natural resources and communities at local, state and national levels.