About the Farm

Located in the Kaʻū region of Hawaiʻi Island, A Coffee Farm is a 30-acre coffee operation led by Alla Kostenko and her husband, Ruslan Kuznetsov. The farm focuses on producing high-quality Kaʻū coffee while developing sustainable growing and processing practices. Operating off-grid with solar power, the family is building a business that connects locally grown coffee with customers who appreciate its quality, origins, and the people behind it.

The Challenge

Growing coffee in Hawaiʻi comes with significant challenges. Coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust threaten crop yields and quality, requiring ongoing monitoring, treatments, and labor. Limited water access adds another layer of difficulty, as the surrounding community has no centralized water supply.

Beyond production, the farm faces the challenge of establishing its brand in a competitive market. While Kona coffee enjoys widespread recognition, Kaʻū coffee is still building its identity, making marketing and connecting with the right buyers essential to the farm's growth.

How Mālama Da Farmer Grant Helped

The Mālama Da Farmer Grant was intended to support A Coffee Farm as it strengthened its operations and prepared for future growth. The proposed investments included coffee processing equipment, additional solar panels, and tools for farm maintenance and infrastructure improvements.

The grant proposal also included business and marketing consulting, administrative technology, professional development, and personnel support to help the farm improve its operations, develop its brand, and reach new customers.

Impact

With stronger processing capabilities and business infrastructure, A Coffee Farm aims to improve efficiency, maintain coffee quality, and build a more sustainable operation. Expanding its marketing efforts and customer relationships will help introduce more people to locally grown Kaʻū coffee.

Alla's longer-term vision includes welcoming visitors for farm tours, coffee tastings, and educational experiences, along with developing a coffee subscription program. Through these efforts, she hopes to create local employment opportunities, inspire future generations of coffee growers, and contribute to the growing recognition of Kaʻū as a distinctive coffee-producing region.