Hoola agriculture support program: empowering farmers with USDA resources

On September 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Advocacy and Outreach awarded a $750,000 Project Grant under the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (CFDA 10.443) to Hoola Veteran Services for the HOOLA AGRICULTURE SUPPORT PROGRAM. The three-year award extends through September 29, 2028, and supports the organization's mission to provide agricultural training, technical assistance, and business development services to military veterans in Hawaii County, Hawaii.

Under this award, Hoola Veteran Services delivers comprehensive agricultural outreach and capacity-building services to veteran farmers and ranchers, including classroom instruction, field-based experiential education, hands-on practical training at operational model farm and ranch facilities, and peer-to-peer learning networks. The funded program establishes the Hawaii Farmer Veteran Network and operates digital communication platforms to facilitate knowledge-sharing among beginning farmers and ranchers. These services are designed to help military veterans equitably access USDA programs and transition into sustainable agricultural careers, complementing the organization's prior grant-funded initiatives that have trained participants in orchard management, agroforestry, livestock operations, and forestry practices while generating approximately 350 pounds of weekly produce from training sites.