COMMUNITY Programs
Touching The Earth Farm’s community programs are currently adapting to COVID-19 restrictions. We look forward to developing more safety-focused programming through 2021.
Men of PA’A
In 2020 Touching The Earth Farm previously known at Dragon Heart Farm partnered with Kanaka O Puna (KOP) to expand and grow its signature programming, Men of PA’A, beyond Pahoa into North Kohala. Since 2010 Men of PA’A (Positive Action Alliance) is a program that has successfully transformed countless troubled kanaka maoli men of into stable, contributing members of community. Men of PA’A includes staff and peer-based counselors who offer the Ho‘okanaka process, a culturally-rooted and communally relevant process of change catalyzed by servant leadership.
MOP programming provides participants with service-based learning and volunteerism, peer-based counseling, recovery-based meetings focused on health and wellness, and eventually emergency housing. In support of strengthening KOP’s mission and programs to Kohala, DHF has offered space on its 20 acre farm for Men of PA’A programming focused on aina-based recovery to take place. KOP has begun offering this place-based service mentorship and have helped with kalo plantings and harvests in addition to orchard care and maintenance. The farm hopes to continue this transfer of knowledge through more agriculture and service based trainings to increase MOP participants ability to utilize learned skills beyond the program.
Feed Hawaii
Feed Hawaii is a community based nonprofit working to enrich the lives and well being of North Kohala residents.
Kokua Harvest Project
Kokua Harvest Project aims to prevent food waste at its source, build community resilience and connection, and strengthen access to healthy nutrient-dense fresh fruit and vegetables for low income families. Through the act of rescuing and sharing food, we intend to connect and nourish our community to build stronger relationships and a deeper appreciation for food. In 2020 Dragon Heart Farm hosted three community gleans that resulted in over 300 lbs of starfruit donated to various food drives.
