Christian Zukerman
Christian Zukerman serves as Chief Financial Officer and Project Coordinator for the Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation, where he leads the mentorship program with the CCOF Foundation Western and Southwestern Regional Center for Organic Transition through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)—a nationwide initiative supporting transitioning and existing organic producers.
With deep roots in Hawaii’s farming community, Zukerman grew up on an organic farm in Hawaii and returned after university in 2012 to help a local farm “temporarily”. “A few months turned into a few years,” he laughs. Now Zukerman runs his own farming business, Kuwale Ridge Farms, and does project-based consulting for agricultural nonprofits.
Through his work, Zukerman plays a vital role in strengthening organic certification in Hawaii. He helps new and experienced farmers navigate the process with confidence and community support.
His collaborations throughout the Hawaii farming community have given him myriad connections to likeminded partner organizations as well as a wraparound view of producers’ needs—both aspiring organic farmers and established producers looking to share their insights through the TOPP mentoring program.
Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation
“This program is a natural fit [for the Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation] since over the last 11 years, we’ve been doing a lot of education work and apprenticeship programs,” Zukerman says. “It allows me to continue my passion of supporting sustainable agriculture in Hawaii.”
Zukerman travels around the state visiting farms and making connections, a job he greatly enjoys. “I’m pairing beginning farmers with existing producers who are willing to take on that educational component, providing hands-on education rather than just reading about farming in a book,” he explains. He runs workshops, presents helpful farming resources, and sees producers’ challenges up-close to better understand how the program can support their needs.
TOPP
“The whole program is a success story,” Zukerman says. “In the last ten years, Hawaii has lost over 10% of our certified organic farms. The cost of certification has increased, and since local products already command premium prices, farmers don’t always see the incentive to get certified. TOPP breaks down these barriers by demystifying the organic certification process.”
For many operations, TOPP has been the tipping point that allows them to finally get their organic certification. By transitioning to organic, farmers opt-in to a voluntary certification framework that provides a competitive market advantage to farmers who adopt conservation practices that encourage soil health and support a variety of natural resources. One nonprofit had been farming with soil-friendly practices for years. “They always told me, ‘Yeah, we’re still thinking of getting certified eventually.’ With TOPP, it was great to be able to reach out and let them know—we actually have a program that can support you and provide mentorship! Now they have a 24-acre organic farm they might have continued putting it off indefinitely otherwise.” Another success is a carrot farm working to replace imported produce with locally-grown organic options.
Organic is Growing
Now in its second year, the TOPP program continues to grow its impact on organic certification in Hawaii. “Our mentors are all-stars who are truly passionate about the organic movement. Some have been involved since the ‘80s. Connecting their expertise with the next generation is really impactful.” Of the 27 mentees currently enrolled, a handful have already completed their organic certifications, and a majority are working through the approval process. “That’s already a huge increase in the percentage of Hawaiian organic producers.”
