Farmers statewide are growing their business another way — by offering consumers the opportunity to see where their food comes from before it arrives on their plates.

The potential for ag-tourism was just one of the messages that farmers took to Honolulu Hale yesterday for a show-and-tell exhibit called "Ag in the City — Grown on O'ahu."

Dean Okimoto, president of the Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation, runs Nalo Farms in Waimanalo. He said O'ahu's agriculture remains strong despite the departure of sugar and the decline of pineapple, and that ag-tourism can help.

"It can make a farm survive," he said.

Okimoto said it's crucial that agriculture remains the primary activity, with tourism playing the supporting role. He noted the balance has been lost at times, such as when secondary commercial activities such as weddings began to tax the surrounding rural areas.

Okimoto also cited the challenge of combating agricultural theft and vandalism, which the state estimates costs the industry $11.4 million annually statewide. And he stressed the critical need to preserve important agricultural lands against the increasing pressure to develop more homes.

Okimoto's booth was dishing up his signature salad greens from Nalo Farms yesterday, complete with a choice of two house-made dressings.

Aloun Farms, which invites visitors to its pumpkin patch and corn maze annually, served a variety of Central O'ahu melons: cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon. Other food samples included mango and Meadow Gold ice cream.

Okimoto said farm tours help expand understanding and support farmers, even starting with school field trips. "It teaches kids about agriculture: Not everything comes out of Safeway."

The state Department of Agriculture's last comprehensive survey of Hawai'i ag-tourism dates to 2003, when the value of the industry was pegged at $33.9 million, up 30 percent from the $26 million generated in 2000.

The state defines ag-tourism as a commercial enterprise on a working farm conducted "for the enjoyment, education, and/ or active involvement of the visitor," which generates supplemental income for the farm.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann vowed to work with farmers on fighting ag theft and nurturing ag-tourism.

"When you come to Hawai'i, it's not just our beaches, it's not just our weather — it's our great agricultural products, it's our seafood, it's our restaurants, it's our chefs, it's what keeps our island green," Hannemann said.

The mayor also presented a check for a $40,000 agricultural grant to Oahu Resource Conservation and Development Inc.

In ag-tourism, O'ahu trails other counties, with Hawai'i taking the lead, followed by Maui.

Although yesterday's event was dominated by O'ahu farmers, Maui Land and Pineapple sent a crew with samples of sweet Maui Gold pineapples.

Rudy Balala said the company has been doing tours for at least three years, beginning in Honolua and expanding. "They explain how a pineapple is grown and how it's harvested," he said.

But farmers are proceeding cautiously.

In a telephone interview, Mel Matsuda, of Matsuda-Fukuyama Farms of Kahuku and Waialua, said he and his partner — both third-generation Hawai'i farmers — are trying to work out technical details so that they can give farm tours.

"We are interested in having visitors come to the farm and buying directly from us," Matsuda said. "We grow papayas, apple banana, long eggplant, mangoes and taro leaves."

He said part of the motivation is direct sales and part of it is educating the public about the business and "what it takes to have something on your plate."

"As farmers, we're looking for different ways to sustain our business," Matsuda said.

City Council Chairwoman Barbara Marshall, whose district includes the Waimanalo agricultural community, said the exhibit helps to remind consumers about the importance of fresh locally grown products.

"It's such an uphill battle" for farmers, Marshall said.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.