HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1177

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that many of Hawaii's farmers and ranchers struggle to secure the financial support necessary to establish a thriving, vibrant business.  Many smaller farm or ranch owners may lack the necessary business and management expertise to seek out and apply for the various sources of funding available to them, including funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.  To obtain grants from that department, applicants must complete an application process that is sometimes arduous and complex.  Without specific technical expertise in grant writing, it is difficult for many small farmers or ranchers to obtain those grants.  In addition, certain requirements of the grants may be difficult to understand and may lead to compliance issues.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a full-time grant writer position within the department of agriculture to assist farmers and ranchers who produce local food that is at least partly consumed within the State in applying for and obtaining grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture, and to assist farmers and ranchers in fulfilling the requirements of the grants; provided that priority shall be given to farmers who engage in organic or Korean natural farming techniques.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) grant writer position within the department of agriculture to assist farmers and ranchers who produce local food that is at least partly consumed within the State in applying for and obtaining grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture, and to assist farmers and ranchers in fulfilling the requirements of the grants; provided that priority shall be given to farmers who engage in organic or Korean natural farming techniques.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 



 

Report Title:

DOA; Grant Writing Position; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys to establish a grant writer position within the DOA.  Prioritizes organic and Korean natural farming.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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