Growing the Greens

Jacy L. Youn

"We won Chaminade [University's] nonprofit business plan competition last year, so after that we entered the Yale one, and we're very excited and proud to have made the finals," Maunakea-Forth says of MA'O Farm, whose business plan was chosen over nearly 500 other applicants. "Now we're just concentrating on finalizing the business plan and getting ready to present it at Yale." On June 9 and 10, each of the 20 finalists head to Yale to pitch their business plans. The top four finalists will each receive a cash prize of $100,000.

Even though MA'O is no stranger to winning large grants and awards (the farm has received close to $2 million in funding since it started), the group is especially excited about this particular opportunity. "Cash flow is a big issue for nonprofits. Some of our grants are contractual, so we only get the money after we've incurred an expense," explains Maunakea-Forth, adding that the current business plan calls for an eightfold increase in annual revenues over the next three years, from $50,000 to about $400,000. He says that, if they win the Yale competition, they'll likely use a chunk of the winnings as investment capital, maybe buy some more land (the farm currently owns 2.5 acres) or perhaps expand the seating at its small café in Waianae.

GREEN THUMBS: Gary Maunakea-Forth and MA‘O’s youth farmers, Manny Miles, Ikaika Burgo, Kanoe Burgess and Chris Spake Photo: Scott Kubo

Maunakea-Forth says he'd also like to see some of the monies go toward building the capacity of the youth in MA'O's training programs. Currently, MA'O provides four-month internships at Waianae intermediate and high schools, and 10-month internships at Leeward Community College, along with hands-on training at the farm. But he'd like to work more on developing "entrepreneurial farmers," and getting the kids involved in all aspects of the business, from soil preparation through marketing and customer service. He says entering competitions such as Yale's falls right in line with that strategy, as the kids - who will be making the final pitch in June - will get invaluable real-life sales and marketing experience. "Coming out of the plantation era, there's a lot of farmers who are good at growing things, but aren't really entrepreneurs," he says. "We want to help our youth learn not just how to be good farmers, but how to run a good business, as well."