Farm Apprentice Mentoring (FAM) Program

Farm Apprentice Mentoring (FAM) Program

Status: Active program. Currently in Cohort 11 as of 2026.

Funder: Hawaii Farmers Union United (HFUU) and Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation (HFUF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Geographic Scope: Maui, Hawaii (program is based on Maui)

Program Overview

The FAM program was created with the vision to empower the next generation of farmers with the knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful farmers in Hawai'i. The program integrates Hawaiian cultural practices of sustainability and land management with a whole systems approach to agriculture.

Program History

• Founded: 2015 by HFUU Board
• Initial graduates: 10 in 2015
• Growth: Expanded to graduate 24 apprentices in 2020
• Curriculum development: 2016 - Maui County Office of Economic Development funded 5-month FAM planning process that guided development of current 10-module curriculum
• Recent additions: On-farm immersion component and Certificate of Professional Development through University of Hawaii Maui College

Program Structure

• Duration: 7 months, 10-module learning cohort
• Format: Two-phase system
- Phase 1: Classroom work and on-farm immersion with mentors to build farmer skillsets and knowledge - Phase 2: Specialized and hands-on training (requires completion of Phase 1)
• Cohort system: Peer support and collaborative atmosphere (cohort size limited to max 25 apprentices)
• Instruction: Classes delivered by certified instructors from UH Maui College Office of Continuing Education (OCET) and Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM)
• Learning format: In-person and virtual options (online via Zoom for classroom sessions; access to online learning platform with recorded lectures, content, and quizzes)

On-Farm Immersion Component

• Each classroom module followed by on-farm immersion
• Information learned in classroom applied on working farms
• Paid immersion component opportunities available for deeper learning
• Apprentices exchange information, support each other's farms, share ideas about sales and marketing

Completion Requirements

• Satisfy attendance levels
• Achieve learner outcomes

Certification & Awards

• Certificate of Professional Development from UH Maui College OCET upon completion of Phase 1
• Stipend provided to jumpstart farming endeavors

Focus Areas & Values

• Sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices
• Local food production and food security
• Support for Hawaii's food self-sufficiency and local food system
• Connection to 'āina (land) and local farming community
• Diverse crop production
• Agroforestry and permaculture approaches
• Soil building strategies

Topics Covered (Examples)

• Soil building
• Permaculture design
• Diverse crop production
• Sustainable farming practices
• Farm business planning
• Marketing and sales strategies
• Agroforestry
• Environmental stewardship
• Economic profitability
• Social and economic equity

Program Leadership

Sara Gilligan, FAM Program Director
• Over 20 years of farming experience
• Diverse background with fruit trees, native plants, wine grapes, medicinal herbs, and vegetables
• Certified in permaculture and medicinal herbalism
• BA in Ecological Agriculture

Supporters & Funders

• County of Maui
• Atherton Family Foundation
• Four Chapters of HFUU
• UH Maui College Office of Continuing Education (OCET)
• Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM)

Contact

FAM Program Director: Sara Gilligan
• Email: FAM@hfuu.org
• General contact: hfuu@hfuu.org

Testimonials

Apprenticeship graduates report:
• Narrowed down and created workable farm plans
• Learned how to implement future farming goals
• Created integrated farm plans with agroforestry
• Doubled farm income within two years of completing program
• Developed understanding of sustainable agriculture principles
• Found mentors, peers, and funding opportunities
• Gained practical knowledge for informed business decisions