Integrating conservation biological control into Hawaiian agroecosystems relies on strategically manipulating habitats to attract key natural enemies like lady beetles, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. In Hawaiʻi’s tropical climate, monoculture environments often lack the continuous resources these beneficial insects require. To retain them, farmers must bridge the gap between native or non-crop habitats and production fields by planting specific floral resources (incentive s

For organically managed farms, knowing exactly which beneficial insects target your most stubborn pests is crucial technical assistance. Let us look at the specific biocontrols used to manage four major threats in Hawaiian agriculture. Managing Aphids Aphids can multiply rapidly, as one single female can develop an entire colony. Aphids present a significant challenge to Hawaiian agriculture and native ecosystems, acting as both destructive plant sap-feeders and vectors for p

Introduction to Beneficial Insects As an organic farmer, one of the biggest challenges you may face is managing pests without the use of harmful chemicals. However, did you know that nature has its own built-in pest management system? Beneficial insects play a crucial role in keeping pest populations under control and promoting overall plant health. Farming organically in our island climate brings unique challenges, especially when managing tropical pests year-round. For deca

Cottony cushionCottony Cushion Scale. https://biocontrol.ucr.edu/cottony-cushion-scale cushion scale If you are managing an organic operation, you already know that dealing with pests is a daily challenge. Finding effective, safe ways to protect your crops without relying on broad-spectrum chemicals can feel like an uphill battle, especially here in Hawai'i where there is twelve months of pest pressure. But what if you could enlist a microscopic army to do the heavy lifting f

Walk into any healthy field and you'll likely find earthworms hard at work beneath your feet. These underground engineers do more than just wiggle through the dirt—they're reshaping soil structure, cycling nutrients, and leaving behind clues about the overall health of your farming system. But can earthworms actually tell you if your soil management is working? Research suggests they can. A 15-year agricultural trial near Paris tracked earthworm populations across three diffe

Again, scoop up a handful of healthy soil and you'll find a little known community. Think about the earthworms that tunnel through layers of soil, springtails leap between soil particles, and microscopic organisms break down organic matter into the nutrients that feed our crops. This living ecosystem is the foundation of agriculture—yet it's under attack. Research demonstrates a troubling reality: pesticides harm soil organisms in 70.5% of cases studied. For Hawaiʻi's farmers

If you’ve ever scooped up a handful of crumbly soil and felt a sense of pride, you already know that healthy soil is the heart and soul of any successful organic farm. But, what actually makes that soil "healthy"? The answer: organic matter. For many producers, managing soil fertility may feel like a juggling act. You want to feed your crops without relying on synthetic inputs, all while keeping your expenses within a tight budget. This is where understanding organic matter c

The difference between conventional and organic farming is the way in which the land is managed and food produced. Typically on a conventional farm, the farmer uses synthetic inputs like herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers as well as the use of genetically engineered crops and animals to make food production more efficient. While organic faming practices apply age old agricultural practices such as composted animal and green manures, compost, crop rotation, and proh

Introduction to Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems The production of organic agricultural products must either maintain or improve the natural resources of an operation, including soil and water quality. Soil fertility and crop nutrient management practices must maintain the condition of the soil, which is accomplished through crop rotation, the use of cover crops, and the application of plant and animal materials. What is an Integrated Crop-Livestock System? An Integrated Cro

What is crop rotation? According to the Rodale Institute , crop rotation is the practice of planting different species of crops sequentially on the same plot of land to improve soil health, optimize soil nutrients, and combat pest and weed pressure. The focus is to ensure that crops of the same species/family are not grown repeatedly without interruption on the same field. Foundational, different crop families will utilize different quantities of soil nutrients, this is be