Name of Farm: One Love Gardens
Folks who run it: Russell Brand & family
Getting to the Farm(Location): You take Kuhio Highway to Koolau Rd. and follow it to the heart of Moloa'a Valley.
How to contact: onelovegardens@hotmail.com

The Brand family moved to Hawaii, from New York, with dreams of creating a holistic lifestyle for themselves, their children and the community at large. They purchased a beautiful 33 acre plot in the heart of Moloaa' valley with the idea of creating a yoga retreat, fruit forest and self-sustainable family garden. Included in that were ideas of a homeschool, gathering place and music studios. In May of 2000 the journey began, however, due to local land regulations the yoga retreat was put on the back burner and the fruit forest and family garden became the prime focus. Sept 2001 is when Russell truly claims he became a farmer and since then has created a place for many people to come and experience living and growing organic.

One Love Garden's is now abundant with papaya's, banana's, pineapples and a multitude of wild and exotic fruit. Some of Russell's favorites are the dwarf coco's, buddha's hands, chocolate sapotes and Jamaican liliquoi. Russell also pops in at the local markets now and again with some of the largest and sweetest papaya's you'll ever experience and in the summer you just might get the chance to try one of his low-acid white pineapples, they are like no other. When asked "Why Organic?" Russell says " It's my love for the earth, for my own body and for that of my children. We live on a stream, it is our kuliana, our responsibility, to the watershed and to the aina". The community he sells to at market is also appreciative of his efforts and very thankful for the organic choices. Russell has also recently built an 'island style' stage and is making his land available as a music venue for community gatherings. Mahalo to Russell Brand and family, for providing us with 'vital viddles' and a breathtaking back drop in which to celebrate and give thanks for our island community!

Name of Farm: Wooten's, Produce of Kauai
Folks who run it: John and Nandanie Wooten
Getting to the Farm(Location): Just north of Anahola Village on the makai (ocean) side of the highway, a short easy drive. call to order produce.
How to Contact:
The Wooten's
P.O. Box 509
Anahola , HI 96703
(808) 823-6807

The Wooten's, John and Nandanie, first came to Hawaii ten years ago from California . At that time, there weren't too many local farmers on Kauai growing fresh produce, free of dangerous herbicides, pesticides and fungicides, for the local market. John could see that the island community was in need of his experience and vision, to bring local organic fruits and vegetables to the people of Kauai . "We really love our customers and wanted to be in a place where our work would be appreciated" says John, who first became interested in horticulture when he was nine years old in California and has been a strict lacto-vegetarian and health food enthusiast for the last 35 years. His wife and inspiration, Nandanie, was born in Sri Lanka, an island country off the coast of India with many similarities to Kauai. Together they purchased their home, a 'barren waste' at the time, north of Anahola Village and have spent the last ten years revitalizing it with permaculture and organic principles.

Their beautiful little farm is now abundant with tropical fruits such as avocado, atemoya, soursop, breadfruit, jack fruit and egg fruit. There are magnificent rows of salad greens, hearty steamer greens, vegetables and herbs. The Wooten's are a fixture at the local farmers market with many families depending on them every week for fresh organic fare. They also enjoy being able to provide folks with the opportunity to come to the farm and pick-up produce. Customers are asked to phone in orders ahead of time, so that when they arrive at the farm their produce is ready and waiting for them, with their name on it. The Wooten's have a lot of rare tropical fruits growing on the farm that require a long time to reach maturity and are looking forward to the se coming into fruition, as well as some new and exciting top secret endeavors. Mahalo to John and Nandanie Wooten for their continued service to our island community!

Name of Farm: Uhane Aina
Folks who run it: Marie Mauger
Getting to the farm(Location): Moloa'a
How to Contact: (808) 822-7899 mariemauger@yahoo.com

Marie Mauger has been involved in growing things since 1971. She worked with many farms and farmers in northern California before coming to Kauai and settling on her own 16 ½ acre plot, six years ago. Her goal for the land is that it be a self-contained bio-dynamic farm where everything that is needed for the farm comes from the farm. Bio-dynamic agriculture is a unique form of organic agriculture that seeks to actively work with the health-giving forces of nature, recognizing the spirit as well as the physical. Bio-dynamic practitioners work to balance the life forces and heal the earth, while producing food that is truly nourishing. The bio-dynamic method is based on the insights of the philosopher Rudolph Steiner. In 1924 he gave a series of eight lectures to experienced farmers in Koberwitz , Germany . Since then, farmers and gardeners all over the world have pursued this ongoing path of knowledge. When asked "Why bio-dynamic?" Marie says, "It's the method that makes the most sense. Working with nature's own intelligence, cosmic events and a planting calendar with the moon."

Marie's 16 ½ acres now hails an abundance of delectable earthly delights such as mangos, bananas, coco's, papaya's, pineapples, taro, tumeric, ginger, tropical and edible flowers, leafy greens and lots of herbs and root vegetables. Marie's gentle way shines through her produce, each leaf, each petal, each piece of fruit has a poignancy all its own. Her love of nature, growing food for others and for feeding people has been said best by Neem Karoli Baba "Feed people" he said, "without a strong body it is hard to attain enlightenment." Marie would like Uhane Aina to be an example to the community and to the government, of a way to designate land for farming. As well as being a sustainable and affordable model for o the r farmers. For the folks that come and live and work for the farm, Marie asks that they put love into everything they do and touch and that they take what they learn and help to nourish others. Marie believes that it is an honor and a privilege to farm, that it is simply 'playing in the fields of the lord'. Mahalo to Marie for her continued dedication to the earth and to our community!