KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — The farm’s official name is Ola Mahina Gardens.

But as the farm’s owner, Krista Olson, explains, “We’re known in town as the lettuce farm.”

The town is Kailua-Kona, the second-largest community on the island of Hawaii. Ola Mahina Gardens, or OMG, keeps regional markets and restaurants supplied with varieties of farm-grown organic green leaf and red leaf, romaine and green butterhead lettuces along with arugula, kale and bok choy.

The 5-acre farm, located on the hills above Kona, also grows such tropical fruits as bananas along with medicinal herbs. And, because it’s in the heart of Kona’s coffee belt, they also grow beans used for their own brand of coffee.

While vegetables are the farm’s staple crop, coffee is also important because, as Olson explains, “We can’t send you lettuce, but we can send you coffee.”

Along with being sold locally and from their website, their coffee is supplied to some of the island’s charter and snorkel boats.

“It carries that uniqueness of the land it’s grown on,” Krista says of the coffee.

But vegetables are the focus of the farm, formerly known as the Kealaola Farm, which the Olson family has worked on and owned for more than 20 years.

Before moving to Hawaii, the family had been organic farming in Portland for several years.

As Krista, 54, explains of relocating, “We went looking for a rural community to raise our kids.”

Weather was a factor, too. Farming on the Big Island “makes year-round farming possible, and that’s something we wanted.”

Krista’s former partner, Barry, started off as the farm manager. The Olsons soon bought the farm with another couple, then later became its sole owners. More changes came a couple of years ago when Krista, who still works full-time in community health, took over ownership. She’s quick to lavish praise on Dominique Saks, the farm manager, who oversees daily operations.

“We just stepped in and figured it out,” Krista says of changes.

OMG remains a family operation. Krista’s daughter, Zea, 23, is also involved in the farm’s operations while her son, Manu, 16, who was born on the farm, has taken on added duties since becoming old enough to have a driver’s license. “Our whole crew … we’re all involved.”

But the Olsons and Saks, the day-to-day manager, also rely on apprentices, who typically stay for three months and receive a hands-on experience in learning about living and working on a family farm.

Krista and Dominique say their goal is “passing on the skills and joy of farming.” Apprentices, who are provided with housing and a meal stipend, typically work 25 to 30 hours a week.

As Krista explains, “We try to get most of our work done on weekday mornings, typically finishing up by early afternoon,” noting that “leaves most afternoons, evenings and weekends free to explore the nearby walkable communities of Kealakekua and Kainaliu, catch a ride into Kona, or plan an excursion to the beach or other island wonders.”

There’s a lot to learn and experience on the farm, which features “The Warehouse,” a multi-purpose space that serves as a production area, shop, office, storage area, apprentice kitchen and “hangout.”

Dominique oversees instruction in traditional organic farming methods, such as planting, caring for and harvesting organic greens and other vegetables; tending specialty crops like cacao and turmeric; and pruning, fertilizing and maintaining coffee.

“We love folks who are truly interested in learning about working on and running a diverse family farm,” explains Krista, emphasizing a goal is that apprentices “will come to take daily leadership for one or more aspects of our work on the land, grow comfortable teaching and leading others, and that both they and the farm will be positively changed by their time with us.”

During a visit, apprentices were busy handling a variety of farm-related tasks, both outside and in “the Warehouse” while some of Krista’s friends were inside filling bags with coffee.

“We definitely want to keep growing food,” Krista says. “This is a way of life we love.”

For more about Ola Mahina Gardens and to reach a link for coffee visit olamahinagardens.org.