Maui Agricultural Festival 2010

The Annual Maui County Agricultural Festival on April 3, 2010 was a fabulous event that drew large crowds to all the festivities. They chose The Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu for the location this year. With the West Maui Mountains as a backdrop, the big tents were set up to hold the livestock, the farmers and gardeners, the food booths, and information type educational contributors. There was also an area to have people register to keep track of all the people from the plantation days. I'm sure this will be very important to the history of Maui and future get togethers to reminisce about the good ole days of Maui.  

My first encounter upon arrival was with the Texas Long Horn mama here. She was very vocal and had a baby there too. As I was photographing her she came towards me with those huge horns and I had to jump back. It was pretty exciting and good fun. Any mama would do that.

Look at this adorable baby!

These animals were brought from the Makani Olu Ranch, also in Waikapu.

They offer ranch rides and sunset BBQ rides.

The mule was very tall and an amazing creature.

 

There were several coffee growers including Keokea Farms Ann Ashley pictured here. Their Coffee is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. In otherwords Organically! 100% Kula Coffee.

The famous Maui Kula Onion Growers first cultivated the Maui Kula Onion in 1930. They are grown on the Western slopes of Haleakala at elevations ranging from 1200 to 4,000 feet. The rich volcanic soil and perfect climate conditions produce one of the world's sweetest tastiest onions. For information on the list of Maui Kula Onion growers contact mauioniongrowers@yahoo.com or write to P.O. Box 148 Kula,Hawaii 96790

Hana Fresh was here selling their fresh organic herbs, salad greens and even white carrots which I had never seen. They are open 7 days a week now in Hana in front of Hana Health in Hana, Maui. Stop by for Coffee, Organic veggies, heirloom tomatoes, macadamia nuts, excellent granola and dried fruit mixes along with gift items.

This is Teri Edmonds of If The Shoe Fits and Deidre Tegarden.

They are promoting the County of Maui's "Got Choice...Think Local" campaign.

For more info contact the Office of Economic Development.

economicdevelopment@mauicounty.gov

Phone: 808 270-7710

Fax: 808 270-7995

 Beautiful basket of eggs from The Neighborhood Farm in Lahaina.

thefarm@hawaii.rr.com 808 264-6480

Patricia Dodd, Owner of Patticakes Bakery

patticakesbakery@verizon.net

hashimotoc007@hawaii.rr.com

 Alii Kula Lavendar is an amazing example of passion for growing lavender and developing a line of products combined with marketing genious to create a successful agricultural business on Maui. Many people can learn from them.

  It was a fabulous day and in a short amount of time I briefly interviewed each person I photographed then rushed on to see a gorgeous Hula show and Hawaiian music set the mood for the big crowd. I smelled steaks grilling in the air by the Maui Cattle Association. The bloggers for the Maui Visitors Bureau at http://www.visitmaui.com/ elaborated on the Chefs contibutions to the Ag festival.

 

I briefly stopped by to see Dania Katz at The  Edible Hawaiian Islands magazine table to take these photos and glance through some of the gorgeous back issues.

I didn't want to leave but had to get back Up~Country so here are some parting shots. There was much more but I hope you'll visit yourself next year.

Thanks for stopping by to read all about the Maui County Agricultural Festival 2010.

Aloha friends,

Marilyn

All photos are by Marilyn Jansen Lopes and photos of others are posted with their permission.I have received no compensation to mention products or companies on my blog.