Something tells me we’ve already got some really bright minds working on this in a local high school robotics class and if you’re one of them, I salute you and I’m at your service. (Lame video at bottom.)

Robotic and automated farming resources:

Also see school garden projects:

• Mala`ai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea
• Hawaii Island School Garden Network Blog on the Kohala Center website

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Claudia Ziroli from the University of Hawaii at Hilo Conference Center and Green Collar Technologies led the class. Claudia’s husband Eric also joined us. I rode with Eric and Claudia and learned more about the biology and wildlife on Saddle road than I have learned in a long time. We saw, Mouflon, goats, horses, cows and turkeys.

Students learned how to build a raised bed garden using hog-wire and shade cloth. This is a technique invented by Claudia that can really help folks on lava rock grow more with less. Claudia’s next class, Introduction to Sustainable Gardening is Thursday March 11th in Waimea.

Hog wire was donated by Green Collar Technologies. Recycled shade cloth was donated by Rudy’s Shade cloth (959-3475). Liz Bowen from Habitat for Humanity donated compost. Habitat for Humanity Kona picked up lunch from Tres Hombres who donated lunch -whoa! Awesome food!

Claudia’s class resulted in a big knowledge exchange and two large crop circles. Yep, that’s right, crop circles. At least that’s what one of our former students calls them. Thanks Chris, the name stuck. See photos below. Three teachers from Teach for America built a raised bed garden using rocks around the job site. It looked really great.

Kaena, the new homeowner already has lots of gardening experience and she’ll be planting a variety of food crops in her new raised beds. We also delivered a kalo starter.

L / R - Claudia, Eric, Kaena, Paul, Liz & Brent

The home was obviously well-built, yet modest with incredible views. What a great place to hold a class. The whales breaching just offshore seemed to constantly catch everyone’s eyes at once. Being on Hawaiian home lands always feels like home for some reason.

Mahalo Claudia and Eric for giving a day to spend working and helping others. Your devotion is truly island-wide. Mahalo Paul for sharing your time between commitments. Mahalo Josephine and Athea for going that extra mile to make the class. Mahalo Liz for introducing us to so many great people. John, Margo and everyone working the job site, mahalo a nui loa for a great day.

In-Class Time: 2 hours

Introduction to Sustainability Frameworks

This class introduces students to the application of sustainability frameworks. We will provide a framework for sustainability and insights into ways to reduce costs in the business and home while saving the planet from harmful greenhouse gases.

Price: $25 Register and pay online for this class.

Location / Directions: Waimea Community Education Building

Instructor and related courses:

Andrea Dean

Students interested in learning more about a specific sustainability topic may want to view the list of classes being offered. Students may also wish to professional level certification course on any of these subjects that will follow this series of classes.

Date: Thursday | 03/18/2010 |  06:00 pm – 08:00 pm

In-Class Time: 2 hours

Introduction to Energy Efficiency and Weatherization

Introduces students to energy efficiency and home weatherization techniques. The class provides the information needed to understand and save money on your electric bill and weatherize your home to help energy efficiency.

Register and pay online for this class.

Location / Directions: Waimea Community Education Building

Instructor and related courses:

Paul Zabel

Students interested in learning more about a specific sustainability topic may want to view the list of classes being offered. Students may also wish to professional level certification course on any of these subjects that will follow this series of classes.

In-Class Time: 2 hours

Introduction to Solar Power Systems

This session introduces students to solar power systems and provides techniques needed to get started generating and storing your own alternative power.

Price: $25 Register and pay online for this class.

Location / Directions: Waimea Community Education Building

Instructor and related courses:

Ross Armetta

Students interested in learning more about a specific sustainability topic may want to view the list of classes being offered. Students may also wish to professional level certification course on any of these subjects that will follow this series of classes.