Hi, I’m Coral! I’m a third-year student at Western Washington University
studying Urban Planning and Sustainable Development. I’m spending this
summer as a farm intern at Kona Farm Direct, learning about the inner
workings of what makes Kona coffee so special, and deepening my
understanding of how the field of planning can support agriculture.

While the two professions may seem unrelated, planners play an
important role in ensuring the abundance and economic viability of
farmland. Planning for agriculture works in two ways: protecting farmland
through tools such as agricultural zoning and urban growth boundaries,
and helping farmers stay economically viable through local ordinances
that allow for things like on-site processing and direct-to-consumer sales.

Supporting local farms, both as a planner and as a consumer, protects
local economies and helps ensure agriculture has a future for generations
to come. I have been so lucky to work alongside the Kona Farm Direct
team, who dedicate themselves to their craft, their land, and their
community, making Kona coffee deliciously possible!