From California Roots to Kona Coffee: How Sloan Farms Built an Organic Legacy in Hawaii
- 40 minutes ago
- 4 min read
There’s something different about coffee when you know the story behind it.
Not just where it’s grown - but who built it, why they chose it, and what it took to get there.
For Sloan Farms Kona Coffee, that story doesn’t begin in Hawaii. It begins in California, with two people, two very different upbringings, and one shared work ethic that would eventually shape everything.
A Foundation Built on Hard Work
Tina grew up on a dairy farm in California, where early mornings and long days were simply part of life. Kerry, on the other hand, grew up under the hoods of cars, learning engines, tools, and how to fix just about anything with his hands.
That’s where Tina first caught Kerry’s eye. And from there, the story began.
Kerry went on to serve in the military, where his discipline, resilience, and hands-on skills grew even stronger. After returning home, he became a contractor, building houses across California, piece by piece.
Together, they built their life the same way:
with grit, independence, and a deep-rooted “do it yourself” mindset.
But underneath it all, there was always something pulling them back to the land.
A Dream That Never Left: Farming
Even while building careers and raising a family, the desire to farm never faded.
At one point, they even purchased a Christmas tree farm, an early step toward something bigger. But the right opportunity hadn’t quite revealed itself yet.
That moment would come through their son, Josh.
A Leap to Hawaii
Having grown up visiting Hawaii, Josh always felt a connection to the islands. When life called for a reset, he answered, packing up and heading to the Big Island in search of something new.
What started as a personal escape quickly became a vision.
While working on a farm, Josh began mapping out a plan, not just for himself, but for his family. He researched land, costs, outputs, and opportunities. And one path stood out above the rest: Kona coffee.
More specifically—organic Kona coffee.
Why Kona Coffee?
Kona coffee is one of the most unique and sought-after coffees in the world. And for good reason:
It can only be grown in a small region on the slopes of Hawaii’s Big Island
The combination of volcanic soil, elevation, and climate creates ideal growing conditions
Coffee cherries are hand-picked, often multiple times per season
Less than 1% of the world’s coffee qualifies as true Kona coffee
For the Sloan family, it wasn’t just about the product—it was about the opportunity to do it right.
To build something sustainable.
To care for the land.
To create something lasting.
Starting From the Ground Up
Once the decision was made, everything started falling in place.
Kerry and Tina were all in. Their California property went up for sale. Plane tickets were purchased. And the family took a leap toward building something entirely new.
But this wasn’t luck.
It was patience. Planning. Commitment.
Josh began planting trees while continuing to work on another farm. Tina and Kerry balanced their own full-time jobs—a nurse and a contractor—while investing everything they could into the vision.
Eventually, they secured their land:
a stunning plot south of Kona, overlooking the Pacific, where sunrises and sunsets feel almost unreal.
And then the real work began.
Building Sloan Farms Kona Coffee
Day by day, the land transformed.
Josh and Kerry cleared and prepared the property
Tina cared for the young coffee trees
Together, they built the farm from nothing
Today, Sloan Farms Kona Coffee stands as a reflection of that effort:
Kerry has built the structures and infrastructure on the land
Tina manages the coffee processing and online orders
Josh oversees daily farm operations and tends to the trees
What started as bare ground is now a thriving, three-acre coffee farm—with plans to expand to five.
The Commitment to Organic Farming
Perhaps the most remarkable part of their journey?
They’ve stayed organic the entire time.
Organic coffee farming in Kona is no small feat. It requires:
Managing pests like coffee berry borers without synthetic chemicals
Fighting coffee leaf rust through natural methods
Maintaining soil health through sustainable practices
Constant observation, adaptation, and care
For the Sloan family, this wasn’t a shortcut, it was a commitment.
A belief that how you farm matters just as much as what you produce.
A Family Effort, A Lasting Legacy
What makes Sloan Farms truly special isn’t just the coffee.
It’s the people behind it.
A family that built something together - through risk, resilience, and shared purpose.
A son who saw a vision and brought it to life with his parents.
A farm that reflects not just hard work, but deep appreciation for the land and for each other.
Josh’s connection to the farm runs deep. So does his gratitude—for what they’ve built and what it represents.
And together, they all share the same goal:
To continue farming this land—and pass it on for generations to come.
Watch the Full Story
Experience Sloan Farms Kona Coffee
If you want to taste the result of this journey—from the soil to your cup—you can explore their coffee here: https://sloanfarmskonacoffee.com/
Why This Story Matters
In a world where food is often disconnected from its origin, stories like this bring it back into focus.
They remind us that behind every product is a process.Behind every process are people.And behind the best products, there’s purpose.
Sloan Farms Kona Coffee isn’t just grown.
It’s built.