Library: Agriculture: Organizations, Agencies, & Resources

General Resources

PLANTS Database (USDA)
Database of plant names, symbols, species abstracts, images, crop information and more.
Useful Tropical Plants Database
Provides referenced information on the edible, medicinal, and other uses of plants that can be grown in tropical regions. Search by plant name or criteria such as growth habit, soil type, pH, etc.

UH CTAHR Publication & Information Central
Resources from the U.H. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources on agriculture, natural resources, and community well-being. Topics include animal sciences, aquaculture, biotechnology, plant disease, insect pests, weed control, sustainable agriculture, soil management, and food safety. It offers practical guidance for both commercial producers and home gardeners.
Master Gardener Program
This program provides the public with unbiased, research-based information and sustainable management practices in tropical horticulture suitable for home gardens, local landscapes, urban environments, and the community. Contact your local Master Gardener office with your questions.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): Pacific Islands Area
The NRCS protects, conserves, and restores the Pacific Islands Area’s natural resources by helping people help the land so that we can enjoy resilient islands with clean and abundant water, healthy soils, and thriving agricultural communities.
Ask USDA
This service of the US Department of Agriculture "makes it easy to find information from across our organization all in one place, or connects you with someone who can. If you can’t find the answer to your question, contact one of our experts via phone, e-mail, or live chat for help.
Hawaii Department of Agriculture: Resources
A directory of Hawaii agriculture resources, including programs, events, education, business support, financial assistance, and regulatory information
USDA Farm Service Agency: Hawaii & Pacific Basin
This includes program notices, fact sheets, and deadlines; newsletters, contact information for local FSA offices and County Committees.

Bishop Museum Botany Collections
Plant databases and checklists maintained by the Bishop Museum, including taxonomic names, native and naturalized Hawaiian vascular plants and algae, a kalo identification guide, and a Hawaiian ethnobotany database.
Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database
Bishop Museum database of plants in Hawaii. Includes images.
Hawaiian Native Plant Genera
Collection of native plant species images created by botany professor Dr. Gerald Carr.
Hawaiian Native Plant Images
Personal collection of 100,000+ images for 2,500 species by biologists Forest & Kim Starr.
Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database
Information from the UH College of Tropical Agriculture on propagation techniques of many indigenous and endemic plants. Search or browse by scientific or common names.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (HTBG) Plant Database
HTBG plant images, searchable by family, genus, species, common name, or country/region of origin.

WCC: Limu Culture
The Limu Culture program blends Native Hawaiian knowledge with scientific methods to study limu ecology. It offers research, internships, and career-focused algae cultivation training.
WCC: Plant Biotechnology
This program trains students to innovate plant production for healthier crops, sustainable practices, and careers in plant sciences, biotechnology, and conservation.
WCC: Ethnoparmacognosy
This program combines research on medicinal plants with hands-on experience, preparing students for careers in plant-based product development, biotechnology, and agribusiness entrepreneurship.
GoFarm Hawaiʻi Beginning Farmer Training
GoFarm Hawaiʻi offers a sequential training program for aspiring farmers, including farm exposure, skill development, business planning, and hands-on practice, with opportunities for further incubation and orchard management.
LCC: Sustainable Agriculture
This program offers soil science, organic agriculture, and plant propagation training, preparing students for careers in Hawaii’s agriculture and conservation fields through science-based, sustainable practices.

Call or email. Politely inform the person that you're a college student doing research for a presentation, project, or paper and that you hope they might have a few minutes to talk with you about your topic. Have your calendar on hand as you set up your appointment. Now is a good time to ask if they'll mind if you record your conversation.

Prepare a few questions. You might start with their name (including spelling) and position title. Have a few focused, open-ended questions that aren't easily answered with a simple search.

Strive to have a conversation. People like to talk about what they know but don't appreciate getting drilled.

Thank your interviewee, and ask if you may contact them again if you have any further questions.
Write down what you learned and flesh out your notes as soon as possible.
Send a thank you card or email.

The Right Way to Ask, ‘Can I Pick Your Brain?’
Qualitative research with kūpuna (pdf)
Provides a qualitative interview protocol for students and faculty who interact with Hawaiian communities. Developed by Hā Kūpuna National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian Elders, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
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Citation: Haitsuka, K., Muneoka, S., Burrage, R. L., Kawakami, K. L., Tanji, T. T., Gronowski, C., Keli‘ipa‘akaua, J. K., & Braun, K. L. (2023). Qualitative research with kūpuna: A guide to respectful, collaborative interviewing. Honolulu: Hā Kūpuna National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian Elders, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
Resources on sustainable food systems and best practices for sustainable agriculture.
National Organic Program (NOP)
The NOP sets national standards for marketing organically-produced agricultural products.
National Sustainable Agricultural Information Service
Resources for farmers, ranchers, and educators. Topics include organic farming, pest management, and more.

Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG)
HTFG is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting and supporting Hawaii's tropical fruit industry. Through research, education, collaboration, and advocacy, it aims to expand the diversity, production, and legacy of Hawaii-grown tropical fruit.
Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation
This organization supports Hawaiʻi's agriculture through education, outreach, and direct assistance to farmers, promoting sustainability, community connection, and the viability of the agricultural industry statewide.
Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i (ALFH)
ALFH offers leadership development and networking opportunities for agricultural professionals in Hawai‘i. It fosters leadership to support the transition to diversified agriculture and strengthen the industry.