This presentation provides an inside look at how a group of young women come together to make change for the benefit of their community. They were even able to help a business that is working towards sustainability.

1. HiloUrb Farm
Beast-Mode Ladies Present:
Communications 344 Spring 2018

2. Background of Hilo Urb Farm
Founder: Michael
(Mikey) Pierron
● Non-Profit, started in August 2016
○ Located at 141 Kalakaua St. Hilo, Hi. 96720
(behind East Hawaii Cultural Center)
○ Contact Number: (808)-365-4825
○ Later established Compost Hawaii, a paid food waste service.
■ Businesses/Private parties or families pay’s Mikey to
pick up their raw recycled goods (food scraps, paper
goods etc.)
■ Local Business- Conscious Culture Cafe, Locavore, Moon
and Turtle
○ “Let’s Grow Hilo” gave Mikey inspiration to establish Hilo Urb
Farm.
○ All materials used are recycled or donated
● Goal of Hilo Urb Farm
○ To create compost, grow herbs, and give back to the
restaurants and community.
○ Provide a resource of how to compost and garden to a diversity
of people in the community- Businesses, schools, local farmer’s,
families.
○ Empower people to feel better about sustainability.
○ A place where everyone can feel involved and connected to
Hilo.
“Spiritually, everyone has a connection with
nature somewhere inside of them. Everyone has
the incredible power to learn and gain
knowledge. Explore your power.” - Mikey

3. A closer look at Mikey...
Michael Pierron (aka Mikey) is originally from Missouri where his
grandparents were farmers, a very rural farmy place. Growing up
he lived more in the city with his mom and didn’t have much
access to plants/farming. Mikey knew he was always interested in
plants, but never considered studying them. In high school a
friend helped him to get a job at a fancy hotel, gardening and that’s
where he fell in love- making his journey to Hilo; studying
horticulture at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, which he calls “a
pretty cool program”. Coming from the mainland Mikey had
different notions of how life works and after experiencing life in
Hilo he started to realized everything we need is right here.
“There’s ways to tie everything together”. Everything you see at
Hilo Urb Farms is either recycled, found on the side of the road,
donated, or items found at the dump. “There are ways to do things
without money”. Mikey explains, the whole basis of sustainability
is about linking the next step.

4. Composting:
● What Is Composting?
Composting is the natural decomposition process that results from the balanced interaction of all
5 variables: Carbon, Nitrogen, Moisture, Temperature, Aeration
● What happens during the composting process?
All of the natural-recycled goods that are collected (such as food scraps, paper, napkins,
cardboard, etc. ) enter a process where aerobic bacteria break down all of the elements
back to its original-basic state to be recycled back into nature (soil).
● What kind of problems occur during composting?
Often times, an excess of Nitrogen or Carbon will cause problems with your compost pile.
Aeration (mixing the layers of your compost to incorporate Oxygen) can solve most
problems.
“The Key to a Successful Composting System is to keep all 5 Variables balanced.” -Mikey

5. The 5 Variables of Composting:
● Nitrogen
This layer contains an abundance of all living organisms such as, leftover food scraps and fresh nature cuttings. An
easy way to remember what goes into the nitrogen layer is, Green & Living = Nitrogen components.
● Carbon
Carbon can be sourced from dead plant materials. So this layer would contain materials such as dried leafs/grass,
cotton clothing, old receipts, napkins, and saw dust. Saw dust is an excellent source of carbon due to its fine shave.
An easy way to remember what goes into the Carbon Layer is, Brown & Dead = Carbon Components
● Temperature
The Temperature will usually regulate itself if all other 4 variables are balanced. But if it is too cold (ex. Waiamea)
the time to process your compost may take longer. It is ideal to have your compost covered with a tarp to keep the
temperature regulated.
● Moisture
There is usually enough moisture in your Nitrogen material to create an equal balance throughout your compost
pile. If you live in a dry/hot climate, spraying/turning your compost pile will allow it’s process to continue. If your
compost pile becomes to moist, adding more carbon materials will help to balance it out.
● Aeration
Aeration is the amount of Oxygen your compost is breathing in. It’s super important to stir your compost pile 1-2
times a week to allow Oxygen to flow throughout your composting system and keep the critters oxygenated.

6. Composting Cont.
The entire composting process is conducted within 4 stages of decomposition
STAGE: 2STAGE: 1 STAGE: 3 STAGE: 4

7. Propagation:
● Once you take a cutting it is helpful to remove
the leaves so that the stem keeps oxygen. If you
leave the leafs on it could dehydrate the cutting.
● Take the cutting and put them in soil, or potting
medium to help it start to form roots.
● This process takes about 1-2 months to see new
growth/sprouts. Once the cutting has roots
present you can plant the cutting.
● A Lot of plants have the ability to be propagated
from a cutting
● With our group, we propagated both mint, and
the only fragranced hibiscus species in the world
according to Michael.
Definition of propagation. : the act or action of propagating: such as. a :
increase (as in, a kind of organism) in numbers. b : the spreading of
something (such as a belief) abroad or into new regions. c : enlargement or
extension (as of a crack) in a solid body.

8. Seedling/Sprouting
● Seeds should be placed in one container so that they
sprout together
○ Always check seeds for mold and/or damage
before planting seeds
● Wait till second leafs sprout before transplanting into
bigger pots
○ Generally 2-4 weeks span depending on plant;
some take 2-3 months
● Once it gets established and gains new growth then
you are able to transfer to ground
Seedling: A young plant, especially one
raised from seed and not from cutting

9. Video Demonstration of Seedling/Sprouting:

10. EHCC: Native Plantation project
One of the main projects that our group assisted Michael with, was the removal of a garden bed
overcrowded with invasive species and replanting native plant species in its place. We first
trimmed a majority of the overgrown leaves and plants and then dug out the root systems of
each plant so that they don’t affect the newly planted seedlings. We then mixed the soil with a
compost/dirt mixture that we created at the HiloUrb Farm, and plants around 15 native species.
Before: After:

11. A closer view:
After removing all of the invasive species from the garden bed, we replaced the newly open space with a
variety of native plants such as Kalo, Kookoolau, Pua Pilo, and Iris. We transferred these plants from their
original small pots into the garden beds. In reviewing our progress on result day, we saw that each plant was
thriving and showing new growth. We added more compost around the plants and supplied extra water.

12. A view of Hilo Urb Farm

13. Beast-Mode Ladies Time-Log:

14. Team member 1: Personal Reflection
This entire experience has opened my eyes and heart to the vast world of gardening, and has ignited a new passion
that I didn't realize I had until the start of this project. Similar to Michaels grandparents, my grandmother always
surrounded herself with a garden that she would pour her heart into maintaining. So the interest in gardening has
always been apparent in my family, but with the kind of lifestyle my father raised us in, gardening was hardly
mentioned. I am so incredibly lucky and fortunate to have met an amazing soul that dedicated his time towards
teaching our group the knowledge that he's gained through out the years of self gardening and education.
When you first walk into HiloUrb Farm, you are greeted with the beautiful array of life that thrives under the
thoughtful care Michael has provided through his hard work and dedication. His passion to create a place that
makes everyone feel welcomed and apart of something big is eminent through his cheerful personality that radiates
throughout the entire farm. You are invited and encouraged to discuss whatever thoughts or questions you may
have on the topic of sustainability, to which he answers to the best of his ability and in a way that is easily
comprehensible.
Since the start of this project, I have been inspired to start a garden of my own, in which the process has given me the
true feeling of doing something good for our planet by showing my daughter the process of creating life through
gardening. I learned that she has a natural Green thumb and has interest in learning how to take care of living things.
My goals are to keep learning all that I can about sustainability so that I can pass this information along to others. I
plan to continue my volunteer work with Mikey to help me achieve this goal.

15. Team Member 2: Personal Reflection
I really enjoyed my time at HiloUrb Farm. I learned so much
about gardening, composting, propagating, etc. I also really
loved how everything we did was hands on. It was a great
experience being able to learn so much about the environments
and native plants here in Hawaii.
Although I loved learning about everything I really enjoyed all
the gardening stuff Mikey taught us. I’m really interested in
nutrition and within the past year I’ve been exploring different
plant based diets. MIkey gave us and myself the tools I needed
in taking the steps towards starting my own garden in the forest
I have surrounding my house, not to mention I find gardening
extremely therapeutic!
I look forward to sharing this knowledge Mikey has taught us
and spreading the word about this amazing little big farm.

16. Team member 3: Personal Reflection
This whole experience with Hilo Urb Farm was so
much fun. I learned a lot of new things from
Michael, given that I did not have any previous
experiences whatsoever with farming. I learned
some important approaches to sustainable living
by doing some hands-on learning at the farm.
Overall this whole project has been one of the
most fulfilling and enjoyable group project I’ve
done. I got to meet/ work with the greatest team
whom all lived up to the team name, “Beast-Mode
Ladies”.
Can’t wait to implement what I have learned into
my own future gardening!

17. Team member 4: Personal Reflection
Before this experience at Hilo Urb Farm I was uneducated about gardening. I
thought of it as intimidating and an expensive start up. After talking to
Michael, the founder of Hilo Urb farm and enjoying this learning experience I
share with fellow group members; I’ve learn more about not just gardening,
but about our land here in Hilo and that it is still possible to live off the land
(aina). To think Mikey started this all on his own about two years ago not
knowing where it was going to lead him. Now Mikey is educating
elementary/high school/college students, , giving people with mental
disabilities and anyone in the community a place to come and learn about
composting and sustainability. Mikey found is passion, his purpose- to give
back to the community, to better sustain the environment and the people one
plant at a time.
I also got the chance to met an awesome group of females that each brought
something different to the table and can be cherished. I’m a bit sad it’s coming
to an end.
This isn’t the end, only the beginning of a new family hobby. I look forward to
sharing this knowledge I gained with my family.

18. Team member 5: Personal Reflection
I’ve always loved gardening but never thought I’d get that opportunity to actually learn from one of the
greatest on how to do it from the start to finish. When I first heard of Hilo UrbFarm, I pictured a farm of
sweet potato, pineapple, gingers, etc. I imagined a huge farm! However, it was quite the opposite. Our first
day, I walked in a beautiful farm that was filled with beautiful magic. Mikey was amazing! He kept sharing
with us how magic just works when we take care of it.
Through this experience, I was educated about composting to propagating to planting and to clearing
garden areas. We got the chance to plant some beautiful native plants. Through each process, Mikey never
fails to tell us a good story about the plant and that magic will do its work. I enjoyed listening to Mikey’s
story and to feel his passion with gardening. To add, I admire how much effort he puts into this project. I
can’t wait to start putting these lessons into action. Although, I’ll personally share that I’m scared (more
like hate) worms. :)
Aside from the great experience, I would like to also give my warmest thanks to my ladies, “The Beast Mode
Ladies”. Thank you for making this project the greatest and a memorable one. Thank you for motivating
each other and for making this worth every minute. It was really fun and Tatianna, I will visit you at work to
try some more Kombucha.

19. Beast-Mode Ladies Com 344 Spring 2018
If anyone is
interested in learning
about plants,
composting or would
like to volunteer, Hilo
Urb Farm is a great
place to start. Mikey
is incredibly
knowledgeable, and
a wise person to
learn from. He makes
the whole learning
experience fun. You
will make a difference
in our community,
one step at a time.