STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1040

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.R. No. 112

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.R. No. 112 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED FRAMEWORK OF SUPPORT FOR PRESCHOOL THROUGH POST-SECONDARY AGRICULTURE EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the interest of youth in pursuing agricultural fields by requesting the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to:

(1)  Convene a working group to develop a coordinated framework of support and an implementation plan for preschool through post-secondary (P-20) agricultural education by December 31, 2017; and

(2)  Submit a report to the Legislature on implementation strategy and recommendations therefor, prior to the 2017 Regular Session, and a status report on the progress of statewide implementation prior to the 2018 and 2019 Regular Sessions.

The Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Farm to School and School Garden Hui, Farm to Keiki, Hawaii Island School Garden Network, and two concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation supported the intent of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 112 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Higher Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

CLIFT TSUJI, Chair