Light, hope and relief for taro farmer

My name is Sierra-Lynn and I am a student at Kauai CC, pursuing my bachelors in business management/entrepreneurship. I am so grateful to have received this urgent student relief fund.

Before the pandemic, I was attending classes on campus, while also working as a farmer's market manager in Hanalei, and as a self-employed taro farmer. This pandemic has impacted me in many ways. For starters, the regulations, quarantine and restrictions make it challenging to get to and from my farm. Therefore, making it difficult to provide a harvest consistently and effectively. As a result, I have less regular income and so finances have become a challenge. My greatest concern is the well-being of the community, my family and friends and myself. It has been an extremely scary time and helping to reduce the chances of others contracting COVID-19 by reducing personal contact with others, is the best thing we can all do.

My dreams and plans for the future is to have all my fields planted at both of my farms, and able to harvest steadily all year long. I want to provide fresh produce to my mainstream wholesale distributors as well as local franchises. Alongside my farm plans, I am working hard to earn my bachelor’s degree and strengthen and expand my network.

I'd like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for the assistance I was provided with. In such uncertain times, it gave me light and hope and relief. I am forever grateful and humbled.