Professional Development

Professional development workshops and courses offered by the Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui are designed for educators interested in food systems, school gardens and farms, and ‘āina-based education.

Professional development opportunities are open periodically throughout the year, primarily during the Summer months. Be sure to sign up for our Farm to School Newsletter and follow us on instagram @farmtoschoolhui so you can stay connected! 

Our offerings are organized based on the concept of levels of experience as described below via the ‘Āina Ulu Growth Cycle, a concept we gratefully attribute to Dr. Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa.

About the Professional Development Levels

Kupu, or “Germination” level is for educators who are brand new to school gardens and farm to school education. 

Liko, or “Growing” level is for educators who have previously attended a Kupu level course, OR already possess some experience in school garden pedagogy. 

Pua, or “Flowering” level is for educators with several years of experience in food systems and farm to school education. These educators have also taught others, and are now ready to develop their own lessons.

Hua, or “Fruiting and Seeding” level is for advanced educators with practice in teaching others and developing their own lessons. Hua level courses will equip participants to become advocates for school garden practices AND design frameworks for widespread disbursement of education.

Summer & Fall 2023 Workshops & Courses

All About 'Ulu (O‘ahu)

PDE3 Course Dates: July 6 - October 28, 2023 [FULL]

This course will equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills for successful planting, care, and utilization (cultural, curricular, culinary) of ‘ulu (breadfruit) trees.

Hosted by University of Hawai‘i (UH CTAHR) and O‘ahu Farm to School Network with funding from the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Kaulunani Program.

School Year 2022-2023 Workshops & Courses

GROW O‘ahu!

School Garden Basics Training (Workshop Series & PDE3 Course)

FINAL FLIER_GROW Oahu PD (SY22-23).pdf
Course Dates & Locations: Saturdays, 9am-2pm

Format:  In-person, O‘ahu + Zoom sessionsAudience: Classroom teachers & garden educatorsLevel: KUPUPDE3 Course: MULT187445, section 309179Investment: FREE + lunch will be provided

This course is FULL! Waitlist/Interest Form: https://bit.ly/GROW-Oahu-2022-2023 

Organized by UH CTAHR and O‘ahu Farm to School Network with GoFarm Hawai‘i

Engaging Students in Citizen Science Through the Prevention of Rat Lungworm Disease (PDE3 Course)

2022 RLW PD Flyer.pdf
Register by September 30, 2022 via DOE PDE3 systemCourse begins October 3, 2022; Portfolios due in June 2023Format: OnlinePDE3 Course: SC186020, section 308959Organized by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC), Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network (HISGN), and Jarvi Lab at the UH Hilo Daniel K Inouye College of Pharmacy.

Summer 2022 Workshops & Courses

Hoʻouluʻāi: Molokai School Garden Teacher Training

Course Dates: June 1-8Course Format: In-Person, Moloka‘i IslandCourse Audience: Classroom teachers & garden educatorsCourse Level: KUPUCourse Investment: FreeThis is a FREE hands-on PD to learn how to integrate garden-based education into your teaching using Hawai‘i-based curriculum resources! We will be cooking, gardening and eating together while growing our skills. PDE3 credits available. 

Kū 'Āina Pa: Nourishment

Course Dates: June 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16

Time: 9:00-10:30am

Optional Talk Story: 10:30-11:00am, Presenter: 12:30-1:30pm

Course Format: Online, all islandsCourse Audience: Classroom teachers & garden educatorsCourse Level: LIKOCourse Investment: $500, scholarships and discounts availableThis PDE3 training aligns sustainable agriculture practices with Hawaiʻi and National Education standards, resulting in ʻaina-based lessons with a deepened connection to Hawaiʻi and a strengthened sense of responsibility. Our intention is to build a resilient and inspired community of educators.  This course is anchored on the land and cultures of Hawaiʻi and designed around the Hawaiʻi School Garden Curriculum Map.

UH COE Ho‘ōla ‘Āina Pilipili PD Series 

Course Dates: June 8-9, 9am-2pmCourse Format: In-Person, Invite ONLY, O‘ahu IslandCourse Audience: Classroom teachers & garden educatorsCourse Level: KUPULocation: University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Education

Aloha 'Āina Social Justice & Equity in Food Systems 

Course Dates: June 13-24 (MWF)Time: 1-3pm (coaching sessions, 3-4pm)Course Format: Online, all islandsCourse Audience: K-12 classroom teachersCourse Level: LIKOCourse Investment: Free

Science of Sustainable Food Systems 

Course Dates: July 18-22, 9-11amFall Follow-Ups (4-5:30pm): Aug 15, 29, Sep 12, 26Course Format: Online, all islandsCourse Audience: High school science teachers Course Level: LIKOCourse Investment: Free

Food Experiences in Agricultural Sciences Training (FEAST Gr. 6 -8)

Course Dates: July 28 - Sept. 13 (portfolio due Oct. 3)Course Format: Online, all islandsCourse Audience: Classroom teachers & garden educatorsCourse Level: KUPUCourse Investment: Free

PDE3 course begins on Tuesday, July 26, 4:00 - 5:30 pm for 8 Tuesdays (ends on September 13, 2022). Learn to use place-based lessons that develop knowledge about food, gardening and sustainability. Set up your agri-science curriculum for the first couple of months of the 22-23 school year with these standards-aligned and crowd-tested resources. Keep 2 steps ahead of your students while you create a professional learning community who will help you improve and adapt these lessons for your unique school setting. Work on your PDE3 portfolio as part of the course (no last minute).