THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

520

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established within the university of Hawaii's Leeward community college a farm succession pilot program, which shall be a five-year pilot program to further the knowledge and technical skills of young farmers.

     (b)  The farm succession pilot program shall:

     (1)  Encourage matchmaking between incoming and outgoing farmers to ensure succession of agricultural lands and productive resources;

     (2)  Encourage matchmaking between recently trained farmers and available jobs in agriculture and food systems;

     (3)  Provide technical assistance and coordination to assist prospective farmers with access to land, financing, and counseling, and with developing business planning, business management, and grant writing skills;

     (4)  Offer and fund programs that provide education and training to beginning farmers and ranchers, including agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training programs; and

     (5)  Advance land partnerships such as farm incubator programs and educational programs on commercial farms that teach agricultural and business skills.

     (c)  Leeward community college may consult with any public or private entity, including the Hawaii Good Food Alliance, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and the university of Hawaii's GoFarm Hawaii program, and representatives therefrom, to carry out its duties under contract with the pilot program established pursuant to this Act.

     (d)  Leeward community college shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2029.

     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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the implementation of the farm succession pilot program established under section 1 of this Act, which shall include an allocation of $        for the establishment of four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) staff positions for the farm succession pilot program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by Leeward community college for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the extension of the farmer apprentice mentoring program established by Act 304, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of Act 304, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

Report Title:

Leeward Community College; Farm Succession Pilot Program; HDOA; Farmer Apprentice Mentoring Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Farm Succession Pilot Program under Leeward Community College.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds for the pilot program and for the Department of Agriculture's Farmer Apprentice Mentoring Program.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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