Chad Wasserman owns and operates Chad’s Organics in Hilo, Hawaii, on the east side of Hawaii’s Big Island. After farming up to an acre outdoors, Chad recently moved his entire farm indoors, focusing on 5,000 square feet of production under plastic to provide himself with a living from the herbs and vegetables that he markets to stores, restaurants, and a very small CSA.
With over eighty inches of rain each year and no frost – or even cool weather! – to kill off or slow down pests and diseases, Hawaii can be a challenging place to grow vegetable crops. Add to that the cost of bringing fertility inputs over 2,500 miles from the mainland, and you’ve created a situation that could try the best of farmers. Chad discusses what he’s done to ensure that his farming operation succeeds in the face of these challenges.
We discuss how Chad has developed a market for his products since he started his farm in 2010, how he’s changed his production in response to business growth, market development, and weather; and how he’s developed a worm-based composting system that brings him fifty to sixty pounds of compost each week with a minimum of effort and off-farm inputs.
With over eighty inches of rain each year and no frost – or even cool weather! – to kill off or slow down pests and diseases, Hawaii can be a challenging place to grow vegetable crops. Add to that the cost of bringing fertility inputs over 2,500 miles from the mainland, and you’ve created a situation that could try the best of farmers. Chad discusses what he’s done to ensure that his farming operation succeeds in the face of these challenges.
We discuss how Chad has developed a market for his products since he started his farm in 2010, how he’s changed his production in response to business growth, market development, and weather; and how he’s developed a worm-based composting system that brings him fifty to sixty pounds of compost each week with a minimum of effort and off-farm inputs.
Sponsors
Vermont Compost Company: Founded by organic crop growing professionals committed to meeting the need for high-quality composts and compost-based, living soil mixes for certified organic plant production.
BCS America: BCS two-wheel tractors are versatile, maneuverable in tight spaces, light-weight for less compaction, and easy to maintain and repair on farm. Gear-driven and built to last for decades of dependable service on your farm or market garden.
CoolBot: Build your own walk-in cooler with a window air conditioner and a CoolBot controller. Save on upfront costs, monthly electricity bills, and expensive visits from refrigeration technicians. Controllers, complete cooling systems, and turnkey walk-in coolers available atStoreItCold.com. Mention the code FTF to double your CoolBot warranty at no charge. StoreItCold.com
BCS America: BCS two-wheel tractors are versatile, maneuverable in tight spaces, light-weight for less compaction, and easy to maintain and repair on farm. Gear-driven and built to last for decades of dependable service on your farm or market garden.
CoolBot: Build your own walk-in cooler with a window air conditioner and a CoolBot controller. Save on upfront costs, monthly electricity bills, and expensive visits from refrigeration technicians. Controllers, complete cooling systems, and turnkey walk-in coolers available atStoreItCold.com. Mention the code FTF to double your CoolBot warranty at no charge. StoreItCold.com
Quotes from the Show
I like where I'm at because I feel like when I'm working I'm making money, I'm not rolling the dice to see hopefully it all works out.
I've cut down to four or five crops to simplify my life and I've just found them a lot more profitable when I compare the amount of input and labor versus my return.
The way I look that is, I don't want to hire people but if a tool or a piece of equipment would make my job faster and easier I was going to buy it.
I want [my products] to be unique, stand out for its quality something that people can remember when they go back to the store to go buy.
I've noticed with the worm compost I culled so much less and that makes your job easier when you're processing and washing and sorting your vegetables and packing.
I've cut down to four or five crops to simplify my life and I've just found them a lot more profitable when I compare the amount of input and labor versus my return.
The way I look that is, I don't want to hire people but if a tool or a piece of equipment would make my job faster and easier I was going to buy it.
I want [my products] to be unique, stand out for its quality something that people can remember when they go back to the store to go buy.
I've noticed with the worm compost I culled so much less and that makes your job easier when you're processing and washing and sorting your vegetables and packing.
Show Links
Chad mentioned the greenhouse poly that he uses to reduce the temperature in his greenhouse: Solar-Ice Greenhouse Film.
We discussed Elaine Ingham’s work on the soil food web.
Chad uses the Worm Wigwam to make his vermicompost.
And the BCS Caravaggi shredder to grind the materials he puts into the Worm Wigwam system.
We discussed Elaine Ingham’s work on the soil food web.
Chad uses the Worm Wigwam to make his vermicompost.
And the BCS Caravaggi shredder to grind the materials he puts into the Worm Wigwam system.
Transcript
The transcript for this episode is brought to you byEarth Tools, offering the most complete selection of walk-behind farming equipment and high-quality garden tools in North America; and byRock Dust Local, the first company in North America specializing in local sourcing and delivery of the BEST rock dusts and biochar for organic farming. And byLocal Food Marketplace, providing an integrated, scalable solution for farms and food hubs to process customer orders – including online ordering, harvesting, packing, delivery, invoicing and payment processing. Additional funding for transcripts provided byNorth Central SARE, providing grants and education to advance innovations in Sustainable Agriculture.
