Common Ground Collective
Tax deductible
Maui Needs Food Security!
It’s estimated that 85% to 90% of our food is imported. Have you ever wondered what would happen if those imports stopped coming? This makes us extremely vulnerable to food shortages if the shipping process is interrupted by natural disasters or global events. The recent Covid-19 epidemic has illustrated the urgency needed for Maui to become more food secure and locally reliant.
Who is Common Ground Collective?
We are a grassroots nonprofit formed in 2017 by Maui residents to grow food security and from that, economic opportunities on the island.
Our mission is to transform Maui into a self-sufficient and food-productive island that benefits both the environment, and the people who live here for generations to come.
We work with the community to provide food to those who need it. Our organization donates the produce we harvest, as well as provides services and resources to further develop self-sufficiency. We also provide hands-on assistance for community events like food drives, and team with other organizations to provide these services.
We are Solution Driven
Maui has an abundance of unharvested fruit trees and abandoned orchards on privately owned land. These properties are a substantial portion of agricultural-zoned lots on Maui that are not actively producing food. The Upcountry region of Maui is the largest area of the island where non-operational Ag-lots exist. This creates a significant opportunity to harvest and provide food for those in need. This includes local businesses who are seeking locally grown produce, as well as increase the amount of Ag-land that is actively producing food.
Our Foster Farming Project
To create a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable local economy on Maui, it is essential to empower the community to produce more of our own food locally, which will decrease our dependence on imported goods. Through regenerative farming practices we can increase the communityʻs health, reduce our dependence (and associated carbon footprint) on imported resources, and create more productive fertile lands.
Our Foster Farming Project launched in 2019 with the goal of educating residents about how to create Ag-centric economic opportunities on their currently non-operational Ag-land, by transforming it into productive land that helps feed the community.
We provide landowners: Crop harvesting services, garden installations & maintenance, crop data collection, on-site education, distribution and marketing of crops to non-profit partners, schools, local retail outlets and restaurants. As well as, ongoing consultation and administrative support.
Through our organization we give the community the knowledge, incentives and assistance needed to get unused produce from their land out into the community. We will continue to do so into the long-term, and expand local operations to generate greater positive impact on our regional food system.
Currently Hawaiʻi spends $6.8 billion on food sourced off the islands each year,
we want to change that. Just by replacing 10% of the food we currently import would amount to approximately $313 million for our local economy.
Foster Farming Harvesting Program
Our Landowner’s Options:
Harvested produce is donated to community organizations which help feed families in need.
Harvested produce is donated to CGC to further help our mission.
Harvested produce is sold at market - 60% back to the landowners and 40% to CGC.
Foster Farming Garden Installation Project
Our Foster Farming Garden Installation Project will launch in 2020 to provide “ready to go” garden beds for neighborhood yards.
Installing approved wood or in-ground garden beds, using organic soils, amendments, seeds and starts, along with on-site education.
Residents can choose how many beds, what to grow, whether or not to maintain beds themselves or have extended CGC services. We use regenerative practices to replenish soils, maintain environmental health and produce organic food.
We Need Your Support!!!
Common Ground Collective is requesting funding in the amount of $6,000 for our Foster Farm Project.
Benefits to the County & Local Community
Increased Food Security (True Sustainability), Boost Local Economy, Incentivises Local Food Production, Provides Additional Income for Maui Residents, Increases Community Outreach and Engagement, Educational Opportunities, Promotes Biodiversity, Increases Ecosystem Health and Longevity, Quality of Life, Reduces our Carbon Footprint, Sequesters Carbon, Increases Self-Reliance and Self-Sufficiency, While Inspiring a Sense of Place and Connection.
Aspirations to Expand
In the future we look to expand our services County-wide, including the creation and management of small local farms by providing full-circle services. But we really need your help to achieve our goals.
By offering educational and administrative services alongside our mobile farming program, we’re working to create additional economic opportunities in the Ag-sector while exploring innovative ways to create a more food-secure and thriving island community.
For more information visit us at: www.commongroundcollective.com
It’s estimated that 85% to 90% of our food is imported. Have you ever wondered what would happen if those imports stopped coming? This makes us extremely vulnerable to food shortages if the shipping process is interrupted by natural disasters or global events. The recent Covid-19 epidemic has illustrated the urgency needed for Maui to become more food secure and locally reliant.
Who is Common Ground Collective?
We are a grassroots nonprofit formed in 2017 by Maui residents to grow food security and from that, economic opportunities on the island.
Our mission is to transform Maui into a self-sufficient and food-productive island that benefits both the environment, and the people who live here for generations to come.
We work with the community to provide food to those who need it. Our organization donates the produce we harvest, as well as provides services and resources to further develop self-sufficiency. We also provide hands-on assistance for community events like food drives, and team with other organizations to provide these services.
We are Solution Driven
Maui has an abundance of unharvested fruit trees and abandoned orchards on privately owned land. These properties are a substantial portion of agricultural-zoned lots on Maui that are not actively producing food. The Upcountry region of Maui is the largest area of the island where non-operational Ag-lots exist. This creates a significant opportunity to harvest and provide food for those in need. This includes local businesses who are seeking locally grown produce, as well as increase the amount of Ag-land that is actively producing food.
Our Foster Farming Project
To create a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable local economy on Maui, it is essential to empower the community to produce more of our own food locally, which will decrease our dependence on imported goods. Through regenerative farming practices we can increase the communityʻs health, reduce our dependence (and associated carbon footprint) on imported resources, and create more productive fertile lands.
Our Foster Farming Project launched in 2019 with the goal of educating residents about how to create Ag-centric economic opportunities on their currently non-operational Ag-land, by transforming it into productive land that helps feed the community.
We provide landowners: Crop harvesting services, garden installations & maintenance, crop data collection, on-site education, distribution and marketing of crops to non-profit partners, schools, local retail outlets and restaurants. As well as, ongoing consultation and administrative support.
Through our organization we give the community the knowledge, incentives and assistance needed to get unused produce from their land out into the community. We will continue to do so into the long-term, and expand local operations to generate greater positive impact on our regional food system.
Currently Hawaiʻi spends $6.8 billion on food sourced off the islands each year,
we want to change that. Just by replacing 10% of the food we currently import would amount to approximately $313 million for our local economy.
Foster Farming Harvesting Program
Our Landowner’s Options:
Harvested produce is donated to community organizations which help feed families in need.
Harvested produce is donated to CGC to further help our mission.
Harvested produce is sold at market - 60% back to the landowners and 40% to CGC.
Foster Farming Garden Installation Project
Our Foster Farming Garden Installation Project will launch in 2020 to provide “ready to go” garden beds for neighborhood yards.
Installing approved wood or in-ground garden beds, using organic soils, amendments, seeds and starts, along with on-site education.
Residents can choose how many beds, what to grow, whether or not to maintain beds themselves or have extended CGC services. We use regenerative practices to replenish soils, maintain environmental health and produce organic food.
We Need Your Support!!!
Common Ground Collective is requesting funding in the amount of $6,000 for our Foster Farm Project.
Benefits to the County & Local Community
Increased Food Security (True Sustainability), Boost Local Economy, Incentivises Local Food Production, Provides Additional Income for Maui Residents, Increases Community Outreach and Engagement, Educational Opportunities, Promotes Biodiversity, Increases Ecosystem Health and Longevity, Quality of Life, Reduces our Carbon Footprint, Sequesters Carbon, Increases Self-Reliance and Self-Sufficiency, While Inspiring a Sense of Place and Connection.
Aspirations to Expand
In the future we look to expand our services County-wide, including the creation and management of small local farms by providing full-circle services. But we really need your help to achieve our goals.
By offering educational and administrative services alongside our mobile farming program, we’re working to create additional economic opportunities in the Ag-sector while exploring innovative ways to create a more food-secure and thriving island community.
For more information visit us at: www.commongroundcollective.com
Organizer
Ananda Stone
Organizer
Kailua, HI
Common Ground Collective
Beneficiary